She cleared her throat. “I am told I must head to the seamstress, a final fitting for my dress for the party.”
“You’re not coming back?” He hated how weak he sounded.
“I’ll be back,” she promised. “By tomorrow morning, I’ll be back.”
He kicked a pebble around. “I never asked if you would be my honored guest at the party.”
“I didn’t realize there was a choice.”
“You value freedom,” he said sincerely. “Of course you can make a choice.”
She didn’t hesitate as she replied, “I’ll be your honored guest.”
There was so much relief that came with her statement. Even in this short time together, he couldn’t remember his life without her. She completed him in a way he didn’t realize.
“Then I should let you go to make sure you have something to wear.”
She inched closer and pressed a swift kiss to his cheek. “Good night, Jasyn. Today was lovely.”
Then, she was running off with her guard. He was mesmerized at how breathtaking she was, silhouetted against the setting sun. He wished he could follow her.
When she was far enough away, Jasyn lightly stroked his cheek. As he turned around, Mych clapped and whistled.
“Look at you go,” he teased. “Winning over her heart so quickly.”
“Don’t be an ass.”
“I’m being sincere.” Mych bumped his shoulder against Jasyn’s. “You both look happy. I feared you would never allow yourself to open up to someone, with the amount of death you’ve faced.”
“Areyouhappy?” Jasyn asked, wanting to turn the subject away from him. There were times Jasyn thought that, just like him, Mych was lonely. He had left his family right as he turned eighteen to join the royal guard. As the youngest member, he had been at the bottom of the hierarchy, but he had quickly moved up the ranks to Jasyn’s personal one because of his compassion. During one of Jasyn’s panicked moments, Mych had been there to bring him down with care.
“I would be happier if Bron wasn’t a stubborn brat.”
“Oh? Why do you say that?”
The two started trekking back to the castle. It had been a long day, and Jasyn’s back ached, but he wouldn’t trade the pain for the sun itself. It meant he had filled his day with Esi.
“I think Bron holds some affection for Lady Esi.”
“I had come to the same conclusion.” Jasyn sighed, unsure of what that meant for him and Esi. Did she and Bron ever act onanything before? It wouldn’t matter to him what she did in the past, but…did any feelings linger?
“It’s going to make working together once you’re both married very complicated.” Mych snapped Jasyn out of his unraveling doubt.
“What’s your solution?”
“Turn that affection in my direction.”
Jasyn stopped in his tracks. “You’re joking.”
“Of course not, Jasyn. It’s the perfect solution. I’m attractive. He’s attractive. We would make the most attractive couple, even beating the future king and queen.”
Jasyn threw his head back and laughed. “Perhaps you’re right. Bron could use someone as easygoing as you.”
“Because he always acts like there is a stick up his ass?”
“Exactly.”
They neared the castle, and he saw a carriage parked there. His parents.
