I waited for Jacinth near the entrance to the palace, nodding absently to courtiers who passed by. When she appeared from around the corner, my breath caught for a slight moment; even in casual day clothes, she was gorgeous. I had hoped it was just the elaborate gowns making her seem more alluring, but I should have known better. She’d managed to pull off the outfit she wore during the first challenge after all, despite being dressed like a carnival dancer. And the way her body had moved…fuck, I was definitely looking forward to seeing her in the tight leathers tomorrow.
Dammit, this is exactly what my brother was worried about.
I needed to keep a clear head and figure out any plots she may be involved in, not lose my head in daydreams of what she was like in the bedroom.
“Lady Jacinth.” I bowed to her, kissing her hand in greeting. “Thank you for joining me today.”
“Your Majesty.” She curtseyed flawlessly, her hair half pulled back on top with a cream-colored pearl barrette that matched the dress I’d left for her. As she bent down, her breasts strained against the corset, giving me a mouthwatering view that I had to ignore for my own sanity.
“Thank you so much for inviting me,” she continued with a wide smile. “It’s wonderful to have the chance to spend some time with you.” I offered her my free arm, and she looped her own through it.
“I’m looking forward to it as well,” I told her, a polite smile firmly in place as we began walking out of the palace. “Have you ever been to Diamond Court before?” I asked her curiously.
“When I was a child, yes.” Her smile stiffened for a moment before turning down into a slight frown. “But it’s been so long, I barely remember it.” Her smile reappeared, but the ease in it was gone.
“Well, today you’ll get to see one of my favorite spots,” I told her, watching her eyebrow peak in interest.
“Is that so?” She hummed, looking at me thoughtfully. While I’d tried to avoid gazing into her eyes, not wanting to be dragged into the past, I found I couldn’t ignore them either. Her stare was somehow weightier than any of the ladies I’d met before. “And what is this spot?”
I managed to smirk, shaking my head, “It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if I told you, would it?”
She pouted, and I found my eyes drawn to her lips against my will, nearly tripping as my distraction made me almost miss a step. She giggled, and I shook my head at myself, knowing I couldn’t allow such distractions when this much was at stake.
This woman was a hazard to my health.
I brought her through a few winding city streets before we reached the hidden entrance to the woods. This one was completely safe, whereas the forest on the other side of the city was its polar opposite. I looked at Jacinth, wondering how she would handle it. Would she be able to make it through the next competition?
Watching her navigate through these woods with zero issues, I found myself believing she might. I knew many of the ladies rarely left their cities to venture into nature in this way, but Jacinth seemed entirely capable of traversing the terrain.
As we approached the area I intended to bring her, I watched for her reaction as we crested the hill. I wasn’t disappointed, and I couldn’t help my slight smile as her breath caught and her eyes went wide with wonder as she took in the majesty below.
This field was all the proof I needed that broken things could be made even more beautiful in the aftermath of their destruction.
The space had been completely destroyed once upon a time, with jagged cracks running across the ground like a spider’s web. The fissures hadn’t been left to scar the land for long however, as flowing water filled the gaps, leading to a pool in the middle that constantly spouted the sparkling water high into the sky. Colorful flowers dotted the landscape, surrounding where giant diamonds had shot up out of the shattered land. The diamonds varied in height, with some as tall as the tress and others only as tall as an Elf. It was a magical sight that never failed to capture my attention.
I frequently found myself here when I needed to be alone to think, and seeing the awe and wonder on Jacinth’s face brought a soft smile to my own. My suspicions of her aside, it was nice to be able to share this place with someone and have them appreciate it the way I do.
“You like it?” I asked her quietly, and her head swung to me, looking indignant.
“Like it?” She breathed, shaking her head. “It’s incredible. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
My smile widened at her answer, and I slowly led her down the hill onto the field itself, watching as her free hand brushed the flowers and gems we passed. I went to help her over one of the wider cracks in the ground so that she wouldn’t fall into the water flowing through it, but she jumped so easily over it that I found myself shaking my head at my own folly. I should have known after seeing her dance that she’d have no issue with it.
“How did it get like this?” she asked as we made our way to the spot I’d chosen for our picnic. I began to lay everything out once we did and took the time to answer her question.
“No one’s really sure,” I admitted, sparing a glance around. “My father used to say the ground cracked open when the gods gifted this land with their magic. The force of the diamonds rising just ripped the land apart.”
She began helping me sort everything from the picnic basket, shocking me that she had no issue serving herself. She easily pulled out plates and cups and poured a drink for each of us. I’d seen noble ladies scandalized at the idea of pouring their own drink. It was refreshing to see she didn’t hold to such proper etiquette, despite coming from the most traditional of all the courts.
“Is that what you think happened?” She asked curiously after a moment, and I gave the question due consideration. Over the years, I’d spent time thinking through several theories, but never really landed on a definitive one.
“I don’t know,” I smiled ruefully. “I’ve come here so many times, and each time I do, I consider a different reason this could have happened. There are stories of the earth shaking and opening, of the gods throwing down thunder that was so strong it cracked the earth.” I shook my head. “But I honestly enjoy not knowing for sure. It allows us to make up our own story.”
She smiled slowly, almost like she didn’t mean to do it. This smile was different from her others, and I found myself thinking this was atruesmile. Not a court smile, not a masked smile—this was the kind of smile she should always have, and I mourned that it disappeared just as quickly as it arrived.
This woman was an enigma.
“Tell me about yourself.” I found myself demanding, and winced a bit at my delivery. Thankfully, she seemed amused, but her eyes dimmed after a moment, and I nearly cursed myself for causing it. But I needed to know the truth of her. Beyond my need to protect my family and my own life, as the lord of Diamond Court, thatneedfor truth thrummed deep in my soul.
