“Don’t be gross.”
“Sorry,” he said, chuckling.
“Normally, I’d cut and run, but…” She twisted her fingers together, moving them in slow repeated patterns.
Gideon shrugged. “Longest relationship I’ve ever had was one that lasted till morning and that was just because I was dead tired. So it’s not like I have any sort of authority about this one.”
Sera laughed. “No. It’s Rachel.”
Gideon’s entire face soured, shriveling with a sort of disdain that she found infinitely amusing. “Rachel?” He seemed tofumble over her name, then shook his head. “That doesn’t count. That’sRachel.”
“I mean, it’s a relationship. You didn’t specify sexual.”
“But.” He rubbed his neck, his face still scrunched while he tried to process the implications. Process or maybe repress? Sera would bet on the latter. “No. It doesn’t count. Rachel doesn’t count. Besides, we’re talking about you. Why are you hesitating to go out there?”
The words tumbled out. “Because he wants nothing to do with me. And he’s beyond cold about it. I drive him crazy and, honestly, it’s for the best that he barely says a word, but I also hate it.”
Gideon sat forward in his seat, all the distress from the words ‘Rachel’ and ‘relationship’ used too close together seemed to evaporate. “See, this is why you need to consult me. I can tell you, with absolute certainty, that he wants everything to do with you.”
“You don’t get it. He thinks… every time we’re alone it’s awkward.”
“And it wasn’t awkward before?”
“No,” she said, much more wistfully than intended.
Gideon made a face, like he picked up on the implication of her breathless answer. “I don’t need details, thanks. But I know that if he didn’t want to be with you, he wouldn’t be here.”
“That’s necessity,” she reasoned.
“No, it’s because he wants to be with you. The guy’s got a million connections. Money enough for servantsforhis servants. He’d find some way to be apart if that’s what he wanted.”
Sera’s heart stuttered, though she wasn’t sure why she found Gideon’s assessment thrilling, rather than alarming.
He walked her to the door and said, “Good night, Sera. And please, no details.”
Her answering smile wasn’t genuine.
Sera stepped outside just as Miles turned away from Kieran, his face drawn with no hint of his earlier mirth. Sera scoffed and raced down the steps.
“What did you say to him?” She demanded.
Kieran gave her distance, his face impassive. “It’s a personal matter, I’m afraid.”
“Personal? Like hell, what were you trying to whisper about in secret?” Sera was flustered. Had he come out here to tell Miles off for his irritating comments? That could jeopardize their plan. Was he trying to undermine the plan? Deliver his own, secret message that would turn around and betray her? Panic started to race through her chest. She had trouble catching her breath. “What are you planning?”
“He is marked by Death,” Kieran said and… of all the things he could have admitted, the shock of the statement calmed her breathing. She looked up, but the stricken twist to his features lingered. Eyes wide, mouth slightly ajar. “That was all, Sera. I wanted to inform him in case there was something that could be done.”
“Oh.” Her shoulders were still heaving. “Oh. So. You came out here cause you saw a shadow on him?”
“Yes. The news was not a surprise to him, however.” His features were still soft, not as stoic or resigned as usual. “Have you recovered?”
Sera blinked.
Oh no.
Gideon was right. Kieran did care.
Sera mechanically climbed into the carriage without answering and retreated to the blanket and coat awaiting her. She sat as close to the door as the carriage allowed, Kieran positioned as far from the door as possible.
