She laughed. The natural glow that had filled her cheeks a few weeks ago was now replaced by a pale matte. “I think that’s a great idea.”
“I’ll need to fix,” I waved generally in her direction, “all of that first.”
“You’re the worst maid I’ve ever had, you know that, right?”
I curtseyed and went to retrieve the hairbrush. I’d barely finished taming the unruly mess when a smart rap came at the door. I went to open it, finding the prince, flanked by an unimpressed Bryn, and Clement with a wicked sparkle in his eyes.
“Good morning, Tam,” the prince said.
I nodded and ushered him inside. Clement walked through with him, keeping his body between us like a shield, barely managing to fit abreast. I sighed at him and the corner of his mouth twitched in response. He glanced his finger down my hand as he passed, sending warm currents through me. Goddessdamn him.
I left the door open, content to have a quick escape route if Clement mentioned a word about last night.
“Lilyanna, my love.” The prince walked to where she perched daintily on the edge of the deep purple chaise. He kissed her hand. “You look beautiful, as ever.”
She smiled coyly, and I gagged. She stifled her snort of laughter by reaching quickly for a glass of water from the small end table.
“I’ve come with something I hope you both shall like.” The prince moved back toward me and held out his hand. “Come sit with us.”
My blood froze.
“Everyone always acts so formal around me, but I like you, Tam. You’re real.” He raised his hand again. “Come.”
I raised my arm robotically, but Clement grabbed my wrist.
The prince straightened. He and Clement were evenly matched, both medium height and lean with every muscle perfectly carved. Or so I had discovered when I straddled him last night. My blood began pumping again. He barely needed to touch me, and in my mind, I was already sprawled naked in his bed.
“Clement.” The prince’s voice was light, but the warning was clear.
Clement’s fingers dug into my flesh, the bangle trapped between his hand and my wrist bones. Did he think I’d use it on the prince? And if so, why did he bother giving it to me?
Silence sectioned the room, all of us trapped in our own parts. Clement’s gaze plummeted to his shoes, but his jaw clenched, his body firmly blocking mine.
“So, my dear.” Lilyanna jumped up, her voice light and melodic despite the ashen face and frown she tried to conceal. “What news did you have for us?” She hooked her arm around the prince’s elbow, and they returned to the chaise.
Clement unwound his fingers, and I tugged my arm back, rubbing the sore skin with a glare at him. He steadfastly ignored me but let out a shaky sigh. His chest deflated, and his taut body relaxed. I stalked to the opposite end of the room and folded my arms over my chest.
“Well.” The prince too seemed slow to recover. “You both said you were in need of some fresh air. To get out of the castle.”
I blinked in surprise. Lilyanna’s smile faltered; the words too perfect a match to what we’d just said to be a coincidence.
“That would be lovely,” she managed. “What did you have in mind?”
He looped his arm around her shoulders, and they settled back into the plush buttoned upholstery. “A tour through my city, our city. My people are excited for the upcoming royal wedding and want to put a face to the wonderful descriptions that have been circling about you. I think they do not yet believe you are real, my dear.”
She smiled and rested a hand on his chest, angling her body into the crook of his. But her leg jiggled.
Clement shot me a warning glare, knowing the words floating through my mind. They really just want to see that you’re still alive. I smirked at him. Even from across the room, I could feel his sigh in response, and my chest tingled as the air warmed me.
The prince glanced between us before clearing his throat, drawing attention back to himself. “And then I have a surprise for you. Something that I know you will love and should put your mind to rest. Have Tam help you get ready. We’ll depart in an hour.”
The town had caught wind of Prince Bellinor's spontaneous idea to take Lilyanna for a tour. We stuck to the long, central street, walking so slowly, I kept tripping over Clement’s boots. Lilyanna was wedged between the prince and Clement, with Bryn on his far side.
People spilled out of the crushed houses lining up alongside the cobblestone path to wave, cheer, and shout gratitude at him. All the upstairs windows were flung open despite the heady chill, and those who couldn’t see on the streets were waving banners or flapping scarves, anything they could find to catch his attention.
No matter how hard I scanned, there were no scowl-faced people standing with arms crossed and feet planted, cursing his presence. Nor furtive figures, pressed back inside the alleyways, plotting some kind of retribution.
It hadn’t been like this that day at the market. He’d almost gone unnoticed. I hoped Lilyanna didn’t believe in the sham.
