"Excellent. Keira's in the garden. Tell her I said she has the afternoon free and you need assistance." He's already turning away, heading toward the stairs and Amisra's room. "And Valas? Actually talk to her. Not just polite conversation—real talk. You're both terrible at this."
He disappears up the stairs before I can respond, leaving me standing in the corridor with my heart doing complicated things in my chest. Gratitude and grief tangled together, hope and guilt fighting for dominance.
I make my way to the garden, following the path we'd taken this morning. Find Keira sitting on a stone bench near the aracin blossoms, book open in her lap. She's absorbed in whatever she's reading, lower lip caught between her teeth in concentration.
Beautiful. The thought hits me with the force of truth. She's beautiful in this light, chestnut hair gleaming copper where thesun catches it, the gentle curve of her neck as she bends over the pages.
I must make some sound because she looks up, hazel eyes widening slightly when she sees me.
"Valas." She closes the book, setting it aside. "I thought you'd left already."
"I was going to." I move closer, drawn to her like gravity. "But Daryn intercepted me. He has requests that apparently require two people."
"Requests?" Suspicion creeps into her expression.
"Herbs. Candles. Various items from the city." I pause. "He suggested you accompany me. Said he wants the afternoon with just Amisra."
Understanding dawns across her face. "He's matchmaking."
"Shamelessly." I can't quite hide my smile. "You don't have to come if you'd rather not. I can manage alone and you could enjoy a free afternoon here."
She studies me for a long moment, something considering in her gaze. Then she stands, brushing wrinkles from her skirt. "No. I'll come."
"You will?" Hope flares, probably too visible.
"Unless you'd rather I didn't?" There's challenge in her voice now. Testing.
"I'd very much like you to." The honesty escapes before wisdom can stop it. "I just didn't want to presume."
"You're not." She picks up her book, tucking it under her arm. "Let me put this away and get my cloak. It's getting colder."
"Keira." I wait until she looks at me again. "Thank you."
"For what? I haven't done anything yet."
"For saying yes." For giving me this. For not running from what's building between us even though you probably should.
Her cheeks color slightly, that pretty flush I'm starting to recognize. "Meet you at the front in five minutes?"
"I'll be there."
She walks past me, close enough that I catch jasmine and something sweeter, uniquely her. Close enough that my fingers itch to reach out, to touch, to close the distance that still exists between us.
Five minutes feels like an eternity.
I decideon taking a carriage this morning. The ride into the city passes in comfortable conversation about nothing important—weather, Amisra's latest pronouncements, the book Keira was reading. Safe topics that let us dance around the awareness humming between us.
She sits across from me rather than beside me, maintaining proper distance. But her eyes keep meeting mine, holding for moments longer than necessary. And when the carriage hits a bump and she sways, I catch her elbow to steady her.
"Thank you." She doesn't pull away immediately.
"Can't have you injured before you've fulfilled your helper duties." I release her, fighting the urge to maintain contact. "Daryn would never forgive me."
"Is that the only reason?" The question comes out playful, almost flirtatious.
"Well, I'd also feel guilty." I lean back, letting myself match her tone. "And then who would carry all these mysterious items he needs?"
"You would. You're stronger than you pretend."
