“Bake,” he finished for her.
She nodded. “Before the baker wonders what’s taking so long. It’ll be dark if we keep stalling, and all the children will be back home for dinner.”
Jasyn nodded along, yet they both stayed in the same position. Neither was willing to pull back first.
“I would like to spend the night with you.” The words were out of his mouth fast, but he backed away quicker. He rubbed at the back of his neck. “That was inappropriate. Apologies, Lady Esi.”
Iskra now stood at the table while he leaned against the counter, chest heaving.
“No apologies needed. Should we begin?”
“You still want to do this?”
“Bake?” she asked.
“Get married.” His voice cracked.
Iskra was taken aback. There was so much doubt in those few words, regret and fear andlonging.
Worst of all, she couldn’t respond as herself. It was Lady Esi who said, “Of course, I still want to marry you. Why would you think otherwise?”
“There is something about you that confuses me,” he said so sincerely, it broke her.
What she did next, she would excuse as an act of comfort required to keep the betrothal strong. It wasn’t like her to initiate contact like this, but she refused to be the cause of the end.
Slowly, she stepped closer to him, each step punctuated with the racing of her heart. She took his cheek in her hand, and at first, he didn’t respond. Then, he rested comfortably againsther palm. Iskra had to hold back tears at howrightit felt, how simple it was to be with this man.
“There will be no doubts.”
She went up to her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. Once again, he didn’t respond at first, but as she went to pull away, he wrapped his arm around her waist, keeping her in against him. She had to place her hand on his chest to avoid fully falling into him. Now, his lips moved against hers, slow, sensual, yearning in his touch. She felt it all. He didn’t rush them, even when she opened her mouth to let him in. No, he kept it demure. It didn’t stop the rush of desire pooling at her core, though, and she wanted to rub her thighs together to satiate herself.
Instead, he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. “We should bake.”
She was left breathless as he stepped out of their embrace and started collecting everything they needed for the rolls.
Ten
Their pastries tasted better than they looked. Thankfully, as long as sugar was involved, children didn’t care about appearances.
Jasyn and Esi had four large baskets filled to the brim with goodies. Mych and Bron helped lug them as they distributed items to the children and families. As soon as the children saw them coming, they stopped their games and sprinted over.
Jasyn was now down on one knee, smiling so much, his cheeks had begun to ache. The children said their thank yous but didn’t bow or treat him like a prince. He was just another person to them.
Throughout the whole afternoon, Esi was at his side. She constantly checked on him without even using a word, her eyes communicating her concern and comfort, soothing him.
Even when there was a gaggle of children, Jasyn remained calm. He breathed through it and distracted himself with passing out more of the rolls. Esi had been right. He was most at ease when he was preoccupied with doing something.
It made conversations with adults easier too. And when he began to feel a rush of panic, Esi was there to take his place. She spoke about the beauty of this court and the royal family, how generous and kind they had been in the short time she had been staying with them. What stood out most of all: she expressed her excitement about seeing Jasyn thrive in the Undertaking and marrying him.
Though the kiss was reassurance enough that their feelings were mutual, her words were an added layer.
When everyone had their treats, Jasyn packed up a few for his parents, who were returning tonight, just in time for their party in two days’ time.
Esi came up to him, and he could see how relaxed she appeared.
“I think this was successful.”
“Very.” He nodded. “I have you to thank.” He wiped at her cheek where there was a small smattering of glaze. He brought his finger to his mouth and licked it clean. He loved the way her eyes followed his movements.
