His face softened, and he leaned down and kissed her deeply. “Next time, wait for me to help you out of the carriage.”
She arched a brow. “Next time, don’t take so long.”
Satisfaction graced her lips when Marissa stormed off. Roman realized her game and huffed out a laugh. “No need to stake your claim, princess. She knows I’m yours.”
Violet patted his arm. “You poor, dense man. That won’t stop her from trying to take you away.”
Roman’s brows pinched together. “Marissa doesn’t want me. She’s just clingy because she doesn’t have any friends other than Griff and me.” He paused. “It’s annoying, but she’s harmless.”
“You don’t believe me?” Violet tried to step back, but he pressed her tighter into his side.
“I don’t think she’s a threat to you,” he replied. “If she were, she wouldn’t be breathing.”
“I didn’t say she was a threat, but when she oversteps, and she will, I hope you’re ready to face the consequences.”
Roman’s head popped back. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Violet succeeded in extracting herself from his hold and shook out the skirt of her dress. “It means that I’m telling you she has feelings for you, and if she kiss-attacks you, I’ll never let you live it down.”
He frowned at her. “I want you to trust me.”
“I trust your faithfulness,” she informed him, “but I don’t trust your judgement, and I don’t trust her.”
Roman reached forward and ran a thumb across her lower lip. “If she has upset you, I’ll take care of her.”
Violet balked. “You make it sound like you’ll kill her.” The prince merely stared back at her. “Okay, calm down. It’s not that big of a deal, just don’t be alone with her. Actually, don’t stand close to her either.”
Roman looked away to hide a smile.Glad he thinks this is funny.“I’ll stay away from her, but if she upsets you, let me know.”
Violet beamed and brushed her lips across his. “Thank you.”
“And I want you to stay away from every man in Eden.”
A laugh burst out of Violet, and he scowled. “Come on, prince. I’m hungry and in dire need of a bath.”
30
After grueling days on the road, Violet nearly wept when the outskirts of Saltu came into view. Chances of her never traveling outside of the capital again were very high, and she desperately wanted to walk around for longer than a few minutes at a time.
The swaying of the carriage stopped, and unable to wait for Roman to help her out, as he insisted on doing, treating her like a helpless child, Violet threw open the door and jumped down just in time to see Marissa’s foot get stuck in her stirrup.
Her arms windmilled comically, and she shrieked, “Roman, help!”
Roman stood beside her horse, and when Marissa inevitably fell backwards, he stepped to the side and watched her smack into the ground.
Violet slapped a hand over her mouth to stop her laughter, as did Ares. Griff had the good grace to only allow his mouth to twitch. He held out a hand. “You’re supposed to step down, not fall.”
Marissa gasped for breath, grappling at Griff’s hand.
“You should be more careful,” Roman deadpanned.
“You think this is funny?” Marissa snapped. “You deliberately let me fall. What’s gotten into you?”
Violet hurried to Roman’s side. Did Marissa make a habit of trying to fall into Roman’s arms?
Roman’s face hardened. “Watch the way you speak to me, Marissa. The only reason you’re still here is—”
“That’s enough bickering, you two,” Violet cut in. The last thing she needed was Roman publicly threatening catty women’s lives on her behalf. “I want to walk around before my legs stay permanently numb.”
