I’m sure he was. I give Jax a sidelong glance. “We’re a long way from sunrise.”
He laughs under his breath. “Youarea scoundrel.” But he doesn’t come closer, and I know he’s worried about whatever Grey said.
I sit on the edge of the bed and draw my legs up to sit cross-legged. “At least keep me company while I eat. I’ve had no one but Mercy all day.”
He considers for a moment, but the king must not have beentooscary, because Jax eventually acquiesces, dropping his crutch to the floor to sit cross-legged beside me. It puts our shoulders close, our knees brushing. Despite my reason for asking him to stay, I say nothing, so Jax is quiet, too, and I relax into the silence.
Eventually, the food is gone and the lantern has gone a bit dim, but neither of us moves. His hand is resting on his thigh, and I reach out to thread my fingers through his, slowly, gently, until our palms are almost pressed together, and the warmth of his touch seems to wash over me.
“Prince Rhen should arrive tomorrow,” I say quietly.
He nods drowsily. “The king said the same.”
“I do not know what action they will take.” I hesitate. “It’s likely I will be given new orders.”
Jax snaps his head up to look at me.
“My position at court was precarious,” I say. “It still might be. And if there’s insurrection in the Queen’s Army, Grey may want me to return to the ranks as a soldier.”
I hate the way the idea ofnew ordersfills me with dread. It’s clearly doing the same to Jax.
I should be eager. There once was a time when I would have been.
But I’m not. I squeeze his hand. “It won’t be weeks or months or never, Jax. I promise you.”
Once again, we are back where we started.
I expect him to protest, but he draws a long sigh. “I know who you are, my lord.”
I frown, but he shifts closer, then rests his head on my shoulder. It’s the most endearing thing anyone has ever done, and for a moment, I’m not sure how to react.
Then he lifts our joined hands to press a kiss to my knuckles. “You’re right,” he finally says.
“I’m right?”
He turns his head to brush his lips against my neck. Then his teeth find the skin just below my ear, and I gasp. “You’re right,” he says again. “We are a long way from sunrise.”
I grin. “Nowwho’s the scoundrel—”
But his hand lands on my thigh, and I discover there are better things to do than talk.
I sleep fitfully and wake early. Duty and obligation have been drilled into me for too long to be cavalier about an order from the king. My goal is to dress in silence, but Jax’s eyes blink open before I’ve even slipped out of bed.
“Sleep,” I say to him. “I’ll be quick.”
He shakes his head and rubs at his eyes. “I’ll make tea.”
But then we hear voices outside, speaking low. The clear sounds of horses.
Jax’s eyes snap to mine.
I reach for my breastplate with renewed speed. “Rhen’s soldiers must be here.”
He watches me work the buckles. There’s a bleak look in his eyes that mirrors the moment I told him I’d be given new orders. “Should I wait inside?” he says. “Or should I join you?”
My fingers go still. Then I smile and reach for the armor he wore on the day he helped us search the bodies. I toss it onto the bed beside him. “Join me, Jax.”
Prince Rhen brought hundreds of soldiers, dressed and ready for battle, with claims that a full regiment stands ready just over the border in Emberfall.
