“She was not yearning.”
“Could have fooled me,” I said.
“She was trying to be polite after I obliterated her hopes of rekindling our romance the other day.”
“You did?” I asked.
“Aye. And if that doesn’t clear it up,Iwas not yearning, either.”
“Oh.”
“At least I didn’t completely lose my mind, picking up abra.”
“Ugh!” I growled. “That was! I didn’t! I-I’ve never seen that sort of thing before! It was shocking!”
“Is that right?” His lips came together, deviantly as his eyes trailed to my blouse. “An interesting discovery, the Swan is bare beneath her feathers.”
“I… I meantlacy. That lace-like material, sir. Iwear, I- I wear underthings, sir. In the winter.”
“It's summer,” he said, intrigued.
“It’s… It’s very warm here,” I argued. “Oh, what use should I have for that anyway? I’ve barely a chest to support a bra!”
“Don’t blush onmyaccount,” he said. “Lest I mistake your rosy cheeks and flustered response foryearning.”
The ambience of town soared back into the foreground, bent on separating us. Somewhere among the endless chatter and children playing, Sam called our names.
He watched me. “Your chest is perfect,” he said.
I had nothing to say but it did make me feelgoodto hear. After a second, he moved to leave the alley and I blurted, “See me again tomorrow!”
Cyrus narrowed his eyes. “Is that anorder, Your Highness?”
“Y-Yes,”I said.
“As you wish it.”
“There you are!”the Prince chimed, appearing.
Evergreen’s hands went to his hip as the Prince bounded by him and into the aisle beside me.
“Look at this linen, Cyrus. I-What is it? What’s happened?” he asked. “You’re as white as a ghost, love.”
My Sword held his hilt. “Two men,thieves. They followed Svana from the blade display.”
“And you did not get me?” he asked.
“To endanger the Prince?” he checked. “They hadn’t seen you yet.”
Sam moved my way, but paused. “…Are they related to our friends in the south?”
Cyrus shrugged. “Unlikely. They spooked easily.”
“Easily?” I asked. “They were young. You drew your sword and asked if they wished to die.”
Sam raised a brow.
“I asked them if your copper was worth their life,” Cyrus said. He went on. “We will share their description with her knights and your staff when we return.”
