“Jocelyn!” I cried.
She averted her gaze, though struggled to keep from smiling.
“Not a word,” I told her.
“Mmhm.” She cleared her throat, then thought to move on to helping us find our things. She handed him his shoes. “I see you two enjoyed the evening.”
“Please accept my sincerest apologies, Miss Jocelyn,” Cyrus said, pulling on his boots. He buttoned his vest. “You should not have to see me in such a state.”
“Oh, you’ll hear no complaints from me, sir,” she said.
“Josie,”I moaned.
“And I’m sure MissSvanafeels quite similar,” she added, boldly looking him over once again.
I frowned and she grinned for it.
“Josie,”I whispered.
“I suppose you need an exit strategy?" she asked.
Cyrus exhaled but nodded. “I hate to ask you, but yes.”
“Not to fret. I’m happy to help where I am needed,” she said. She gestured to the door.
On his way, he stopped at me. I took a deep breath.
“I will miss you,” I said.
He grinned, clipping the bottom of my lip with his thumb. “I’ll see you soon, my love,” he said. “Assuming I’m not caught and hung in the hall.”
Josie’s lips happily frowned as she shook her head. “Don’t worry. We shall be very stealthy.” She stood by the door, pointing to it. “But timingiseverything, sir. We should go. Immediately.”
“Of course,” he said.
We locked eyes and I held the blanket tighter to my chest.
Be safe,” I said.
He nodded. “I promise.”
Saturday, Sunday, all of Monday, all of Tuesday, and well into the remainder of the week, Mr. Evergreen and I spent every waking moment in each other’s air. We would laugh and play silly games, try to spook each other by hiding around trees and inside of bushes, or even chase the other through fields of flowers. When Ser Willoughby or Miss Josie–whoever was around–would look the other way for too long, we touched and kissed each other, too.
There was a mystical ambience to being with him; it was a warmth my heart could only experience with his light. I longed for the way it accelerated at first sight of him every morning, and I longed for how it found peace and ease every night when he snuck into my bed.
One day, while enjoying a picnic near the farmhouse, I dared to kiss Mr. Evergreen in front of my cousin. The poor knight nearly choked on his apple, but he didn’t truly remark, opting to say, “Things have progressed, I see,” and only when Evergreen had glanced at him unsure.
I pressed my lips to his a second time. He hadn’trefusedthe display, but he did adjust slowly and quietly asked, “Perhaps we should rein it in?”
“Nonsense,” I told him. “Daniel doesn’t care. Tell Mr. Evergreen you don’t care, Daniel.”
“I don’t care,” he said as directed. “I’m happy to see you happy. Both of you.”
“Wearevery happy, aren’t we?” I asked proudly. “Oh, how I long for you to feel such joy yourself.”
My Sword gave me a look but I beamed, then as he explored behind me, I followed Ser Willoughby's gaze to where Miss Jocelyn was picking flowers.
“Is everything alright withyou?”I asked.
