Gaz shook his head.“I assumed all the princesses received additional protection.”
Something about the way his eyes lingered too long on mine, almost as if he willed me to believe him, made me question whether he was telling the truth.But what reason would he have for lying to me?
Gaz dropped his arms and took a step closer to me.I inhaled quickly, catching the scent of his soap, which smelled a bit like the spices my mother used in the recipe for her favorite flat cakes.I wanted to inhale again, but I swallowed the impulse.
“I hope you don’t think my only interest in you is protecting you,” Gaz said, placing his hand on the door beside my shoulder.Our eyes were level, and I couldn’t help but feel lost in the coffee-brown depths of his.
“I...”My voice caught in my throat as Gaz cocked his head and those full lips of his curved into a smile.I cleared my throat.“No, I assumed you liked having one more person to order about.”
Gaz shrugged.“I do like to be in charge.I’d like to be a member of the royal guard one day, perhaps the head of the royal guard.But I like you for more than ordering around.”His free hand came up and stroked the smooth hair at my temple.“You’re very beautiful, you know,” he said.
I laughed.“Now I know you are lying.”
Gaz held his hand up, as though warding off my words.“So defensive, Mara.You don’t have to put your guard up with me.Unless...”He moved back slightly.“Unless you don’t want my attention.”
“I...”The words seemed to freeze in my throat.Ididwant Gaz to pay attention to me.I’d wanted that for years, but I was so used to being judged because of my mother’s character that it was difficult for me to trust.I kept up a wall to protect myself from the cutting words and accusatory glances I received from so many courtiers.I pretended the snide comments didn’t hurt, earning me a reputation as cold and unfeeling.
But I did feel both pain and longing.I’d wanted Gaz to look at me as he was looking at me now for so very long.I wet my lips with my tongue and Gaz’s eyes followed the movement.“I’m sorry,” I said.“With everything going on right now, I’m feeling overwhelmed.And I’m not used to attention from...well, someone like you.”
“Who?A lowly cadet from Westower?”
“Gaz.”I ducked my head.“You know you are handsome.”
“Am I?”He put two fingers under my chin to raise it.“You think so?”
“You know you are.”He had perfect golden skin, beautiful eyes, and those full lips.I couldn’t quite take my eyes from them.
“It would seem we have a mutual attraction,” he said, voice low.“What should we do about that?”He moved closer again, his hand on the door dropping to my shoulder.Oh, gods.He was about to kiss me.Gaz Westower was about to pull me into his arms and press his body to mine, press hismouthto mine.“I know what I want to do,” he whispered, reaching out to wrap a hand about my waist and tug me closer.
The door latch jangled as it was raised, and Gaz took a step away from me.Disappointment surged through me, and I turned angrily toward the door, where my mother and Mikta Eastower now entered.My mother took one look at Gaz and me and widened her eyes.“Am I interrupting?”
“Yes,” I said at the same time Gaz said, “No.”
“Good, because Mara must prepare for the banquet tonight.”She pointed to my bed chamber.“Mikta, you may bring your things in there.”
“I heard the Zulenii prince has arrived,” Gaz said when Mikta left.“What does he look like?”He glanced at me.
“Handsome,” my mother answered.“Tall.Muscular.A bit pale, and those eyes.”
“What about his eyes?”Gaz asked.
“They’re a blue-green color,” I said.“I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Did you see the designs on his arms and neck?”my mother asked.“I wonder if they are cosmetics.”
“They must be,” I said.“But I don’t think he’s quite the cowering weakling we anticipated.”
Gaz blew out a breath.“From what little I have heard of Zulen, they are no match for any of our people, especially not trained warriors like the princesses.”Gaz looked at me.“I’m sure this Claiming Rite everyone is talking about is nothing to worry about, Mara.You’re one of the most skilled warriors I know.”
I felt my cheeks warm at the compliment.I didn’t really believe compliments about my appearance, but I knew I was good in battle.Happiness surged through me at the realization Gaz thought so as well.
“If he chooses her, she’ll defeat him,” my mother said, also sounding confident.
“And then she’ll kill him,” Gaz said.
“With the golden blade he brought himself,” my mother added.
“Golden blade?”
