A chuckle breaks free at how adorable she looks. “I’m kidding.” Taking a chance, I squeeze her shoulder, and her nose scrunches up as she almost laughs.
She grabs her ale and takes another swig, grimacing as she swallows.
“Clearly, this is your first time with mystery meat and ale.” I pass her tankard to Alexis once she sets it down. As much as I’d like to take credit for her perpetually flushed face, she’s already had half a pintandsome corn brew. It’s definitely had an effect; she’s nowhere near as jittery as she was earlier.
“Is it that obvious?”
“You didn’t frequent the taverns in Durnam?”
“No, definitely not. A tavern is hardly the place for a young lady.”
My throat catches. A lady? Could that be it?It makes sense—her hair’s so glossy it’s slipping out of her bun, and her skin has the healthy glow of someone who’s never missed a meal. She probably sleeps on a feather bed, while my mattress might as well be a sheet on the floor.
Her parents probably wouldn’t have allowed me anywhere near her. Even in Haven, having the top button on my collar undone is barely acceptable. I only get away with it because no one cares what poor people do.Maybe she’d be more comfortable if I fixed it?
That’d probably just be weird at this point. It’s a stupid rule anyway—suffocating collars for everyone just because the previous king had a hideous birthmark. Besides, she doesn’t actually seem to mind, as she’s back to staring at my neck.
“Hey, Caeo, you done?” Reid snaps his fingers in my face, startling me. “We wanna get to The Duck before it gets too busy.”
“Huh?” I glance down at my bowl. Despite how hungry I was earlier, I’ve hardly touched my stew. I quickly scarf it down because it’s foolish to waste a free meal.
“Can you get Mabel back over here so I can pay?”
“Not a chance. I’ll see you outside.” I pull my coat off the back of my chair and hand Ellie hers. She wobbles as she stands, and I steady her with a light touch on her shoulder. Reid gives me the finger as Alexis gets her coat on, and the girls follow me out.
A shiver runs through me as I step into the brisk night air, so I pull my coat tighter. This is one of the nicer parts of Haven, but probably still questionable for someone living a life of silver and lace. Not that I should judge—I have no way of knowing what life in Durnam’s like. Could smell like shit from all the horse-drawn carriages.
Ellie stumbles out a second later, and I catch her before she falls face-first to the ground, her warmth soaking into me where we touch.
“Are you alright?”
She settles into my arms. “I must have missed a step there.”
There is no step.
I move her away from the door so Alexis can join us in the street. She meets my eyes as she warms her hands with her breath, raising her brow.
Ellie didn’t pull away after I helped her up. If anything, she’s relaxed into my chest, fitting into me like a matching puzzle piece as she sinks into the bend in my arm. Her brown hair tickles my chin as I breathe in the soothing scent of lavender, and I resist the urge to nuzzle into her.
“Remind me never to make a bet with you again,” Reid grumbles when he finally emerges. “I can’t afford this.”
“Where to next?” Alexis asks. “The duck place?”
“The Buttoned-Up Duck,” I say.
Ellie giggles. “I need to see that.”
Alexis’s eyes narrow. “Maybe we should head back, El. We have class tomorrow, and I’d say you’re already at risk for a massive headache in the morning.”
“What? I’m fine. Let’s go!” Cold air sweeps in as Ellie untangles herself from my arms and stumbles with her first step. This has to be her first experience with alcohol. Someone needs to keep it pleasant.
I catch her around the waist, pulling her close as Reid snickers. “How about I walk Ellie back, and you two have fun?”
“But I want to see the duck, too.”
“We’ll see it another time,” I say, shifting to meet her eyes. “Come on, go for a walk with me.”
A ridiculously adorable grin breaks out on her face, the kind a sober person’s incapable of making, and my heart leaps into my throat. I’ve never felt this giddy around a girl before. The way she looks at me, without motive or judgment—I want more.
