It was like he’d been collecting stones coated in mud. But that conversation on the road when he’d learned how she’d met her friends, when he’d seen the admiration on Hildy’s hard face and the faint blush on George’s, was a stream of crisp water, washing away the grime. Every muck-crusted pebble in his pocket turned out to be a gem, bright and sparkling and full of hidden goodness.
She’d been his captor. They’d reluctantly allied. And if he wasn’t too off the mark, it seemed they’d become friends.
Growing bored of the silence, craving her conversation, Isahn sent a tendril of cool water to tickle George beneath her chin.
She shrieked as she shot up, her soft curves resituating themselves.
Suddenly, he was no longer standing in the courtyard, but soaring through the stars. “Ah!” he shouted, enthralled. “I love it.”
“Youkulos!”
“What’s that mean?”
“It means you’re an ass. You scared me.” George brought him back to reality, releasing the magical vision she’d wrapped around him.
“In Selwas we’d sayesheb.” He smirked, turning sideways to stick out and point at his ownkulos.
Running her tongue beneath her top lip, George shook her head.
“Your Most Esteemed Highness,” he began again, “would you be so kind as to permit me to write to my sister this morning?”
“Most Esteemed Highness? If you agree to keep calling me that, I agree to find you some parchment.”
“Deal.” He slid his foot back and forth over the smooth tiles of the courtyard. “These sandals are comfortable.”
George laughed, and it was a lovely throaty sound that seemed to scrub down every nerve in Isahn’s body, setting him at ease.
“Come on, let’s go write your letter.”
Without thinking, he offered her his hand, and she accepted, her warm fingers curling around his palm. His breath stilled as George stood, then paused to straighten the beaded cord belting her long dress. Though she’d dropped his hand, her warmth still coursed through him, coiling up his arm to settle in his chest. Through a haze of rose and black curls, he followed her inside.
Thetabliniumwas empty, and George gestured for him to take a seat at the large desk.
“Isn’t this the viceroy’s table?”
“Yes, but it’s also a family work station. You’re welcome to use it. Don’t think about sealing your missive until I’ve read and approved of it.”
“Oh, and why’s that?” he baited her.
“Because I said so.” George pursed her lips as she lowered herself onto a low sofa.
“Beciss.” He winked.
She rolled her eyes hard, but recovered swiftly, saying, “Oh, I almost forgot, there’s something for you, there.”
Frowning, he pointed to a small paper-wrapped packet sitting on the side of the table. “This?”
“Yes.”
Isahn peeled open the weighty package and laughed when he saw what was inside. “Thank you so much.” It contained a small pouch with his signet ring and a decent number of coins inside.Though it definitely weighed less than when he’d been forced to leave it at the inn in Sorhaven.
“It seems you are who you say you are.”
“Is that why you were sleeping outside my room this morning? Waiting to share the good news?”
“Perhaps.” Her soft lips pulled up in a smirk.
“How long have you known?”
