I thought about how Evergreen had teased me with his reputation— the way he circled me like I was his defenseless prey. My pulse quickened, and I hung in the air, wanting for my knight to confirm everything I thought I knew about the man, but he didn’t answer, at least not right away. We stared at each other for a moment longer before he said anything, and when he did, he denied my excitement altogether.
“No,” Elías said. “There’s nothing wrong with him. I’ve heard nothing of the sort.”
My tongue met the back of my teeth as I struggled not to reveal the details of our clandestine encounter. I wanted to ask what hehadheard, and I wanted to confess that I found theidea of being alone with Mr. Evergreen a second time, in any capacity, equal partsexhilaratingas it was infuriating! That I had already spent an evening with the man and that he hadn’t spoken of it, and that because of it and because he had been so kind, that I—I hesitated. And for good reason.
Elías was protective. Derangedly so. He woulddestroythe poor Sword, and he would bear no regret for the fact.
Elías worshiped chivalry. I didn’t want to break decorum or disappoint him, and secret, reckless rides into the night’s mist would most earnestly earn Mr. Evergreen a private lesson from my knight on propriety.
“Nothing?” I checked. “Are yousure?”
Elías frowned.
“Not—Not that I have heard anything; I…” I smoothed my skirt. “It’s neither here nor there. It doesn’t matter. I told the Prince no to his idea.”
“I see,” he said. He bobbed his head, relaxing.
Willoughby arrived at the end of the hall and made some gesture toward the Lord Commander. Elías nodded in return and waved to him. He looked me over.
“I have somewhere I must be,” he said.
“Go,” I agreed. “Don’t let me hold you back from wherever that is.”
“I’ll speak with you soon.” He turned to leave but paused. “Will you be alright?”
“Yes,” I said. “I’m going to head back to my chamber and take a nap, and when I arise, perhaps I’ll find a way to town to shop again?”
“I’d prefer to be with you,” he said.
“Alright, then, I shall find a neat corner to stare into until nothingness swallows me, or you find yourself free to escort me.”
“Enjoy,” he said.
I rolled my eyes, reminding him to be safe, and I headed off.
I was in my room for exactly five minutes before I got bored and decided to wander the halls in search of entertainment. The door swung far quieter than the one back home, but I opened it just in time to lose my mind at the sight of a figure beyond it. I jumped, sucking in a ghastly amount of wind and striking wildly at the shape with the heel of my hands before I’d realized its identity.
“Mr. Evergreen!”I called.
He was surprised by the attack and held his arm up to block my hits.
“Your Highness, please!” he said.
“Oh, my God!” I cried. I wound up and tried to slap him, but he stepped out of my arc, and I connected with the doorframe. “Ow!” I cradled the hand to my chest, nearly falling as I stumbled back.
“Are you al–”
“What are youdoingin my chamber?” I asked.
He looked confused, then down at his feet, and then took a very large step out of the room.
“Well?”I asked. “If I scream very loudly, you will be–”
“Scream?” he asked. “Why would youscream?I did notintendto enter your room. I was checking if you were hurt.”
I flashed my eyes at him.“Why?”
“I—” He stopped. “I just watched you punch a wall.”
