I would give everything I have to not have to see that look on Brevan’s face.
He hides it quickly, but I recognize heartbreak.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I came to take the princess to training. I can come back later.”
“Give me five minutes,” I call.
“Could you get me a hangover tonic?” Caiden asks.
“Of course.” Brevan leaves the doorway before he’s even finished speaking.
Caiden rubs his head again. “How much did we drink last night?”
“Too much,” I say.
“What happened?”
I act hurt. “You don’t remember? Our first night together and you don’t remember?”
His mouth opens, then closes like he’s struggling for words. “Of course, I remember. Just maybe not as well as I’d like.”
“We did drink a lot,” I say playfully. “But what they say about Pendralian men is absolutely true.”
“And what do they say about Pendralian men?” he asks.
That they’re selfish lovers who don’t know how to please a woman.I clear my throat. “That no other men can compare.”
He stands a little straighter at the remark.
I turn so my back is to him, then tug off the tunic. I cover my chest with my arm before tossing him the shirt. I quickly step into a day dress and lace up the side before I face him.
Caiden has just finished pulling his tunic and trousers on when a knock sounds again.
“Come in,” he calls.
Brevan enters the room. His expression hard and cold. He hands Caiden a small vial of purple liquid, then holds out a second one. “I thought you might want one as well, Princess.”
I accept the vial and drink the contents. If he’s trying to poison me, I’d deserve it.
“I’m late for a meeting.” Caiden kisses my cheek and leaves without another word.
I stand in silence with Brevan for a long while. He won’t even meet my eyes. Finally, I can’t take it. “It isn’t what it looked like.”
“He’s your betrothed. It’s not my business,” he says to the ceiling.
“It’s important to me that you know I didn’t sleep with him.”
His gaze finally meets mine. “Why?”
“You know why.”
“You were naked. In the same bed.”
“He was naked. I was wearing his tunic.” I wince. That makes it sound worse. “I wanted him to think we had sex.”
Brevan glances at the bottles of wine on the table. “Did he hurt you?”
“No. But he would have taken what he wanted if I didn’t come up with another way.”
