I quiver inside but nod like it’s no big deal. “What does your mark look like?”
“I have the mark of the spine. I’ll show you later. But first I have a tour to give.”
Do I want to go to town with him? I’m limp like I’ve been crying, which I haven’t done. Thank goodness.
He smiles at me, and I see that same young boy from when he was asleep.
“It will be fun.” His smile broadens, and he raises an eyebrow at me.
“You and fun? Now this I have to see.”
37
EVANDER
Kieren’s voice echoes through the castle.
I slam the door to my suite and run down the stairs. He doesn’t bellow.
“What?” I say halfway down the stairs. Kieren and Raine glare up at me. “I thought you would be gone by now.” Actually, I thought they wouldn’t be going at all. That what happened in her suite... might have her catching a plane back to New York. To say that Raine is different from other candidates we’ve had isn’t even dusting the surface.
“I’ve told her.”
“Well, thank fuck.”
“But now I want you to come with us.”
“You’re sure?” Having alone time with a candidate, especially in the early portion of their time with us, was—is—important.
“I need a chaperone.”
I laugh. “I can understand that.” I reach my hand out to her. She takes it. Fuck, I want to shove it in my pocket andkeep it there. Screw that. I want to march her right back upstairs and take her like Roark did.
That’s not something we’ve done before. Heck, there have been more candidates than not who don’t figure out that they’re not doing a gardening or ancient books internship. My eyes flick over Raine. Actually, most of the candidates aren’t hired as full-on employees but interns. But then, that’s something that Leopold always handles. I’ll have to ask him why he took a different approach this time. Though it makes sense. She’s not an intern. Definitely head of department material.
“Right. Well, you keep your princely hands to yourself. I’m more than willing to stand between the two of you. Roark didn’t want to go out to the village? I suppose not, after what happened last year.” I’m about to pull Raine down the corridor when the scent of chamomile comes from her bare shoulders. Sure, it’s warm out there right now. But when the sun goes down? “Do you have a sweater, love?”
“It’s eighty out.”
“When the sun drops, it gets cold in the valley,” Kieren says.
“Oh, I’ll run up and get one. Thanks, I’ll be right back.” She’s on the first step when she turns back. “When I get back, I want you to tell me the story about Roark in the village.”
“I’d love to.” I’m smiling again. I can’t seem not to around her.
She hits the top step, and Kieren’s hand clamps around my arm. “Roark’s not going to like that,” Kieren says.
Oh, he’s going to more than not like it. I have no idea why I’m going to spill secrets about my thunder mate. Maybe it’s because I know she’s the last of the candidates, or maybe it’s just her. Either way, I’m throwing Roark’s grumpytail into the fire for my own gain. Makes me more of an ass than Roark, for sure. But I’m looking forward to hearing her laugh.
When she’s gone and I’m sure she’s not at the top of the stairs, I turn to Kieren. “You explained?”
“How she was selected, the basics of the ceremony, and the length of time it takes.”
“Good. But there’s one thing I really want to know.”
“And what’s that?”
“I want to know whether you told her we’re not allowed to share her.”
