“She’s giving me advice on how to convince your advisors that our marriage is real.”
His mouth quirked up at one corner. “Ah. And what does our resident specter recommend?”
“Kisses. Lots of kisses,” she said. “And get closer in that bed, if you please.”
“Pray tell me you didn’twatchlast night.”
She smirked. “Not too much.”
Frustration made me want to yank on my hair. “Nothing is happening if you’re watching. This I swear.”
“A voyeur ghost?” Kieran said with a touch of awe.
“Not if I have any say in it.” I gave her a stern look. “I want you to promise you won’t watch.” Not that anything was going to happen between us, but still.
“If you insist,” she grumbled.
“I do.”
She gave me a pert nod and went back to attacking her toenails. “Tell him he needs to redecorate the castle.”
“How will that help convince the advisors?”
“I already told you how to do that. This is to thank me for all my kind assistance. If he redecorates…” A conniving look slanted across her face. “I promise I won’t watch.”
“You’re resorting to blackmail?” I huffed.
“What’s she saying?” Kieran asked.
“I prefer to call it a friendly agreement between friends,” she said.
“I won’t be coerced.” I turned to Kieran. “She says you should redecorate the castle.”
His brow knit. “Truly?”
I nodded.
She paused, the dagger hovering over her right pinky toe. “It’s so dreary I keep mistaking the drapes for mourning shrouds.”
I relayed the comment.
Kieran’s brows lifted, and the faintest smile tugged at his mouth. “Tell her I’ll take her advice under advisement.”
I turned into their intermediary. “She says that’s the sort of halfhearted promise men make right before ignoring a woman’s opinion entirely.”
His soft laugh rang out, rumbling through the air. I found myself watching him longer than was wise.
Cordelia clapped her hands. “See? He’slaughing.I’m already improving this marriage.”
“Would you prefer I redecorate first or laugh more often?” Kieran asked, amusement flickering across his face.
Cordelia folded her arms on her chest, the dagger literally passingthroughher wispy body. “Both. Immediately.”
He looked at me after I’d shared what she said. “Is she always this demanding?”
“Only when she’s awake.”
He shook his head. “Charming.”
