A big potted plant hugs the wall. Quick as a wink I’m behind it, ready to pounce. But the castle’s too dark, and the palm leaves are so big that I can’t see whoever’s approaching, and if I move the fronds, he’ll hear. So I have to wait.
When the footsteps are only inches away, I jump out, totally expecting to surprise Feylin.
But it’s not him.
It’s a kid. He’s maybe about ten or so and wears dark pajamas with white piping. His eyes flare wide as he leaps back in fear.
“Ah,” he gasps.
“I’m so sorry.” I reach for him. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry,” I repeat.
He clutches his chest, panting for a moment before cocking an eye and appraising me with what can only be described as deeply etched cynicism.
“You’re her,” the boy accuses in a voice rimmed with tiny authority.
It takes all my will not to laugh at how he’s so insulted by my mere presence. “I’mher?”
“The woman Feylin’s not going to marry.”
I almost ignore the strange pang that erupts in my stomach when he says that. Pushing any and all irrelevant feelings aside, I bend at the waist and place my hands on my thighs so that we’re eye level. “I’m Addison. How do you do?”
He takes the hand I offer. “Very well, thank you.” He tilts his head back and forth before adding. “You’re not ugly.”
I bite back a chuckle. “Did Feylin say I was?”
“No. But I suspected he was lying.”
“Did you, now?”
“Oh, I did,” he tells me, incredulous. “I also suspected that you’re mean, but you don’t look mean.”
“How do mean people look?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. They frown a lot. Yeah, and they don’t eat sweets.”
“That does sound like a mean person.”
“That’s what I think, too.”
“May I ask who you are?”
He puffs out his chest. “I’m Ryals. Feylin’s cousin.”
“Cousin?” I quirk a brow. “I didn’t know Feylin had a cousin who lives here.”
“That’s because he doesn’t want me getting attached to you.” He drops his voice and places a hand to one side of his mouth and whispers, “Because of the whole fake-engagement thing.”
“Ah. Well, he’s right to tell you not to get attached.”
He taps his foot as a serious look spreads across his face. It’s the most adorable expression ever. “Hey, do you play chess?”
“Chess?”
He nods enthusiastically. “I can’t sleep, and when I can’t sleep, I play. Want to come?”
“Now? It’s late. You should be in bed.”
“I should be, but I’m not. Same as you.”
