“Are you thinking of Clement again? Or just punishing me?”
I put the head of another pin in my mouth, folding the fabric into a pleat. “I wasn’t,” I mumbled, “but I am now.”
My stomach fluttered. We would only get one night together. He wanted to help me, but he’d never forgive me if his sister was hanged. Guilt like that irreversibly changes someone.
I inserted the pin into the fabric, creating a smooth contour around her waist and then circled to her other side.
As soon as the prince died, someone here would send a pigeon down South to the queens quicker than I could ride on horseback. Siobhan was the only one who could travel faster than the news. If I wanted any chance at saving his sister’s life, she’d have to do me a favor. I shuddered, the pin narrowly avoiding Lilyanna’s hip. Siobhan would be overjoyed to have me beg for her help, but I’d do it for Clement. I’d do anything for him. A flush of warmth swelled within me. Now he was officially a weakness, my weakness, and the thought didn’t haunt me like it should.
“Why are you smiling?” Lilyanna slapped my hand away as I reached for the neckline. “You’re going to stab me again.”
“That’s not why I’m smiling.” I pulled the dress down, exposing more of her smooth, pale chest. Her ribs were faintly visible, and I chastised myself again. “I really am a terrible maid.”
She laughed and took a step back so I could admire the full gown. I’d done an okay job. It was definitely the right way round and she had curves again. She twirled slowly, the buttery pleats of the full skirt swirling around her.
I nodded.
“You’ve never really been my maid, Tam.” She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around me, her head pressed against mine. “You’re my sister, my friend.”
My throat tightened. The dormant magic finally bubbled up, spooling itself into my veins. So many people were relying on me. I needed to be strong, not just for them, but for me. It was my life too, and I was ready to take control.
“Okay, let’s go eat.” I broke from the embrace and headed to the lounge. “You’re already dressed for dinner, so that saves me at least an hour.”
She hurried after me, linking her arm with mine. She leaned close, her voice barely a whisper. “We can do this, Tam. I know we can.”
A stream of ash fell from the ceiling in the far corner, the sound of scratching nails receding.
What was wrong with me? My hands shook, my feet wouldn’t stop moving. If the spirits were watching me now, they’d think I’d lost it.
I took my boots off, then my leggings. Would he like this? Too forward? I put my boots back on.
Honestly, you’d think this was my first time. Maybe I should put the fire out and beg the spirits to drag me away so at least I’d have an excuse for looking frazzled when he finally found me.
I kicked my boots off again and strapped my holster back to my thigh just in case the spirits heard me muttering my plans out loud.
Soft footsteps echoed down the corridor outside. I leaped to the door, pressing my ear against the thick wood. My heart thumped in time with the footfalls, increasing in intensity as they neared. They paused outside my door and a key scraped in the lock excruciatingly slow.
I flung the door open.
Clement blinked in surprise, his mouth ajar with the key dangling from his hand. “Were you waiting for me?”
“No.” I grabbed his shirt and pulled him in. Kicking the door shut, I pushed him up against it. “I’ve never waited around for a man or woman in my life.” I tugged off his shirt, running my hands up his smooth chest.
“Mhm, I can see that.” He cradled my face, kissing me gently. Too gently.
“Come on, I’ve had all day to think about this.” My fingers hooked into his waistband.
“And I’ve had weeks.” He removed my hands, but held onto them, his thumbs circling my palms.
“Fine.” I pulled away. “What were you doing today? How long can you stay?” The skin under his eyes was stained darker and tension pooled in his jaw. My stomach fluttered. “How are you doing?”
The edges of his mouth quirked up.
“I’ll do whatever you need to?—”
“Turn that mind off, Tamara.” He threaded his hands through my hair, gently tugging to raise my face to his. “I promised I’d make you forget everything.” He pulled harder, his breath hot in my face, warmth rising through my body. He lowered his mouth, hovering over mine. “Everything except me,” he breathed.
My reply was lost as his tongue pushed past my lips. He caressed my mouth, meandering, teasing, a faint taste of sugar lingering on my tastebuds. Goddessdamn him, I wanted to jump him straight away, but he kept the grip on my hair, stopping me from rushing.
