“Heh. I like to think it happens thanks to me.”
“Are you alright?”
I wet my lips. “Your words. They’re so round and lovely.”
“Are youdrunk?”he asked.
“Drunk? Maybe but so are you and, for that, I must confess that I am happy. Here. Like this. I like the way you speakwhen you’re drunk, and I feel strangely safe in telling you about Hellveig, I think.”
“Ah, shit,” he said.
“Should I not?” I asked. “I… You promised not to tell the Prince of her!”
Cyrus shook his head. “I won’t. That’s not my worry.” He stood far too easily for someone who had split the bottle, but he gave me his hand. “The horses have had some time to run,” he said. “Ice will have settled a bit. We should go.”
“Is that your trick?” I asked. “You’ve run her before.”
“As I said. Repetition. And when she gets antsy, it helps. Yes.”
“I see.” I blinked long and hard. “Is that what the picnic was?”
He caught me as I teetered from one foot to the other, and when I had regained my focus, my fingers trespassed playfully into the folds of his sleeve. His soft, linen sleeve. Bound to his tight, muscular, hairy arm. His-
I blushed. “Did you aim to settleme?”I asked.
“Ey,” he moaned. “I fear I have greatly misjudged your fortitude, Princess. And you call me the drunkard here?”
That made me giggle. Then cover my mouth with the free hand. Then giggle again.
His eyes went to the place where I played with his shirt, tugging at the tiny hills of fabric.
“Princess. Please.”
“Say Svana,” I asked, stepping ever so slightly. “Your vowels are so pretty. I’ll say Cyrus if you say mine first.”
“…I’m not sure I should.”
I furrowed. “It doesn’t have to mean anything.”
Mr. Evergreen caught my hand before it climbed completely to his neck. His browline lowered.
“Svana,”he said, too nice. “We need to go. Alright?”
“Cyrus,” I purred back. “I don’t want to go, Cyrus. I like being out here with you, Cyrus. Cyrus Evergreen.”
“God,” he muttered, tearing away. “Have a seat, I will-"
“What’s the matter?” I asked. “I said your name. That’s what you wanted, isn't it?”
He shook his head. “I have taken advantage of you. You’re not in your mind. Sit down.”
“I don’twishto-”
“Sit down, Svana.”
I did, but in what could only be described as a fit, and I watched him as he waltzed from one end of the fence to the other.
“I’m sorry,” he said, firmly. “When you’ve sobered, we’ll go. You can barely stand. We shouldn’t rush. Even if I ride with you, what would people say? I’d have to hold you. I cannot risk losing you off the seat or… hurting yourself trying to touch me. I’d have to explain to Sam- Oh, God.Sam.”
