“He was incapacitated in some form or another and unable to travel,” I said. “I didn’t ask for details.”
Unable to help myself, I added a provocative barb. “Though she made quite an agreeable messenger.”
Raewyn’s expression darkened immediately. She looked toward the doors where Lady Glenna had departed.
“I suppose so. If you like fine Court manners and a haughty demeanor.”
Suppressing a laugh, I walked to the sideboard at one side of the library and poured glasses of saol water for Raewyn and myself.
“Who doesn’t like nice manners?” I asked, strolling back to her.
Handing her the glass, I goaded her a bit more.
“Did you not find Lady Glenna to be beautiful?”
Raewyn shrugged. “All Elven women are beautiful. Doyouthink her looks are exceptional?”
Despite her casual tone, her eyes locked onto mine, awaiting my response.
“Not exceptional, no,” I said and took a sip before adding. “But you’re right… Elven womenarebeautiful.”
Even the half-Elven ones aren’t bad.
Raewyn’s eyelids flared at my non-verbal message. Her answering mental tone was petulant.
I would have thought you’d used up all your flirting on your ‘special guest,’she said.Andshepractically undressed herself and crawled into your lap.
I grinned into my glass. “You sound jealous, Wildcat.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Raewyn turned away and speed-walked toward the library door, forcing me to look at her back as she spoke.
“If there’s nothing else you need, I’ll be going. May the Grand Star brighten your way and all that.”
“Raewyn.”
She spun back around. “What?”
“You forgot to tell me what Lady Glenna’s biggest fear is.”
“Oh. She’s afraid she’s getting too old to make a good match and that she’s losing her appeal to men. “
Her chin jutted upward. “Maybe you should send a Swift bird and let her know how wrong she was.”
Then she whirled and left the library.
Shaded stars, she was cute when she was angry.
Even cuter when she was jealous.
It took all my strength not to chase her down, pull her into my arms, and kiss away any erroneous notions she had of me being interested in someone else, no matter how beautiful she might be.
But I couldn’t do that. Raewyn could never know how hard it was to resist her.
She could never know that she’d ruined me for any other woman.
The fact was, Elanor was right. I couldn’t hide Raewyn away here forever. Eventually I’d run out of excuses, and I’d have to let her go.
