I settle back to absorb Nash's words, my tongue darting out to dampen my lips. His eyes flare, watching me. "Have they kissed you yet?"
What is he talking about? “Who?” His eyes flick to the fighting threesome. “Malachi, yes. I am not a Burgher with loose skirts kissing multiple and many males.” My heart flops in my chest, because while that’s true, Theo has had his lips on my skin. But I wouldn’t have let it go any further, I think.
His eyes grow hooded as he lowers his mouth to my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. “This is your warning. Whatever they do to you, I will do threefold. If they kiss your lips, I will kiss, suck, and bite them. If they touch you, I will ensure my handprints color your flesh for the rest of the annus.”
I jerk away from him and flinch at the serenity in his gaze. Is it bad that I wish to be kissed again just to experience what he is threatening? There’sdefinitelysomething wrong with me. I tilt my head and give him a little smile. “And if they do more?” His gaze narrows at the defiance in my eyes. “Don’t make such sweet promises,” I mutter. “Unless you can deliver.”
“Daphne, we don’t share well. Not with anyone else, not with each other. It’s clear at least two of my brothers are smitten with you. How are you going to manage their competing needs?”
“They aren’t smitten.” I turn to look at Malachi and Theo, who are dancing around each other. “But I am not here to cause trouble,” I say, snapping my gaze back to Nash. “However, I won’t stop whatever is happening between us and I won’t hide my feelings from the other.”
He leans away from me. “You could be the downfall of the knights. Does that make you feel powerful?”
I shake my head. “I’m no threat to your destiny. You have a damsel to save, a legendary sword to command, and a mythical destiny to ascend to. I’m just here for a better life for me and my sister.”
He sighs. “I somehow doubt that will be our reality. Something in you is calling to us—all of us.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, my floof.”
“Floof?”
Gwyneth leans around me, making me jump. I’d forgotten she was there. She points between my legs. “Her floof.”
Nash shakes his head and scribes something in his book before snapping it closed and training his gaze on his brothers. I do the same and grow restless as the knights dancing back and forth continues.
“This is utterly boring,” I mutter.
Nash tenses next to me just as the door opens and a flood of Charmings spill into the courtyard. The favored Charming is at the forefront and his eyes widen in surprise at Gwyneth’s presence. He grins as he strolls towards us, his armor creaking in an awkward way that makes his strut difficult. Nothing will get past that metal, but I doubt he can move out of the way even if given a ten tempo warning.
He puts one foot on the bottom bench and leans toward Gwyneth. “My lady, you have come to see me in glorious battle.”
“No, she came because her sister got booted from the library,” Hart snaps, pointing his sword at me.
“Don’t you point that sword at me, poopfloof,” I snap. “Or I will show you what a true maiden raised in the wilds of Far, Far Away can do.” I’m lying. I will impale myself on the blade if I get within striking distance. As it is, I’m surprised I haven’t already.
Hart doesn’t look threatened by me at all. Theo squeezes Hart’s shoulder and encourages him back into the fray. I sigh and roll my eyes.How long will mid meal be?I wonder again about the sausage.
Gwyneth looks on at the fighting. Charming follows her gaze and a deep frown appears on his face. “Let’s make this interesting,” he hollers, causing everyone to pause. “Charmings versus knights,” he says.
I scan the courtyard. “That’s unfair,” I mumble. “There are three knights and twelve Charmings.”
Nash puts down his book next to me on the bench and rises to his feet. “Come on then, Charming, let’s see what you’ve got,” Nash says as he stretches his arms before strolling down the few steps and picking up a sword from the stand.
“Still not fair,” I say. “If you get your ass handed to you when the fight is three to one in your favor, it shows you to be truly weak.”
Charming tenses as he swivels to face the line of Stirling brothers. I lick my lips. Now, this shit is interesting.
“Rules of Herald?” Hart checks.
“Agreed,” Charming states.
“What in the Blazes are the Rules of Herald?” I ask as the two groups launch into a frenzied attack, which makes my heart beat faster and my palms sweat.
Gwyneth leans into me. “The Rules of Herald state that no mortal wound shall be delivered, that once both your hands touch the ground, you are ejected from the fight. The last man standing wins the battle for his group.”
Where in Blazes did she learn this? I’m sure her brain is wired to remember exactly what she reads or hears the very first time. Me, I have to have it spelled out, acted out, and said out aloud before anything penetrates my thick skull. At least, that’s what my mother told me.
The first Charming slams to the ground as Hart throws his fist into his stomach. I lean forward and urge my knights on. Wait, what? No, notmyknights.
