He asked her how he day was. He asked her if her blouse was new, and about her hair—the braid’s intricacy, and when he’d asked a fourth and fifth question, I took the chance to try and corner my friend before he left.
“Mr. Evergreen,” I hurried, barely catching him by the door.
“Good evening, Your Highness,” he returned. He offered me a bow.
“If you have a moment, perhaps we could discussmoving forward with Isaac,”I tried hinting. “I think I-”
“Another time,” he said.
“Another time?” I asked. “What better time than now?”
“The hour is late. I’d hate for you to be.”
“Be what? Late?” I asked. “To where?”
“To dinner with Sameer,” he said. He shelved his hand toward my maid. “Miss Josie can see you back to your suite, I trust?”
“But I…”
“I have a list of chores from Henry,” he said.
“You do?” I wilted.
“Yes, and about ten other excuses, should you press,” he replied.
Miss Josie giggled. Ser Willoughby had made her laugh. They tried to stifle it as Cyrus, and I noticed, demurely quieting the topic.
“Can we not speak?”I asked.
Mr. Evergreen groaned, then he stepped to the side, careful to keep our companions in his view, although theirspectacle made our conversation hard to begin. He was perfectly vague.
He said, “What happened today cannot happen again, Your Highness. I must resign from this arrangement, you understand?”
“What? Why?” I asked.
He hushed me. “You know why.”
“No. How can you suggest that?” I asked. “That you should resign?”
“It’s the only option.”
“Was it…?” I spoke lower.“Was our kiss not to your liking? I’m new, but I learn quickly. I’m certain I can-”
“What?” Cyrus frowned. He rolled his eyes, but I was serious. “No. It wasvery muchto my liking.That’s the problem.”
“That’s the opposite of a problem,” I said. “I don’t understand. If you enjoyed it, then...”
“The—” He clicked his tongue. Then paused. “Even if I entertained the idea ofridingwith you again, which I amnotdoing, you seem to have acquired a guardian.” He bent his head toward Ser Willoughby just as the man erupted into a fit of joy. Josie touched his arm as he laughed. “One who made damn sure I knew his special talents from the War, and no offense, but upsetting him or the Blade he reports to, is not exactly something I’m missing from my life.”
I held my head a little higher. “Is that your only grievance? Elías?”
“My only grievance?” he asked. “Are you not listening or are you completely daft? Your cousin is a grievance, too.”
“What? Willoughby? Why?”
He blinked. “Because he… Hold on. Do you not know what his position was?”
“What position?”
