His expression softened. “A diplomatic answer.”
“It’s an honest one.” I reached across the table to touch his hand. “You don’t have to perform for me, Dominic. I’d rather know the man beneath the crown.”
His fingers curled around mine. “Even if that man is terrified he’s not interesting enough without the fake charm?”
“Especially then.” I squeezed his hand before pulling back, aware of how intimate the gesture had been. “Though I should mention that your taste in court personalities is deeply questionable.”
His laugh burst out. “Oh? Should I not have Lord Primrose and Lady Daphnie competing for who loves whom more?”
“They referred to me as a ‘delicate flower in the garden of matrimonial bliss.’”
“That sounds restrained for them, actually.” Dominic’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Last month they held a public poetry reading where they each recited seventeen verses about the other’s magnificence. In matching outfits.”
My smile rose. “Seventeen verses each?”
“I had to sit through all thirty-four. It was excruciating.” He leaned back in his chair. “Though not as excruciating as when Lord Turren decided the best way to honor the spring equinox was a fashion show featuring twenty-four costume changes. For himself. We all had to watch.”
I started laughing. “How is that even possible?”
“Fae magic and an alarming dedication to personal appearance.” Dominic grinned. “He enlisted servants to help with quick changes behind screens positioned around the throne room. There was an intermission halfway through.”
The absurdity of it made me laugh harder. “And Lady Edwina with her divination stones?”
“Ah yes. A month ago she predicted that the castle would be visited by ‘three wise swans bearing messages of profound transformation.’” He paused for effect. “We ended up with two confused geese who wandered in from the pond and attacked the kitchen staff.”
“That’s not even close,” I managed between laughs.
“She insisted it still counted because geese and swans are both waterfowl, and two is almost three.” His expression turned mock-serious. “She insisted it was all about the interpretation.”
I wiped tears from my eyes, my belly sore from laughing.
“You’re good at making people laugh,” I said when I’d caught my breath. I met his gaze. “It’s not a performance, Dominic. It’s a gift.”
His expression shifted, looking vulnerable and pleased at the same time. “Thank you for saying that.”
The seeds are taking root whether the gardener wills it or not,Savory said from her perch on the balcony.Soon they’ll break through the soil and stretch toward the sun.
I’d almost forgotten she was here.
“Savory has opinions about our conversation,” I said, shooting the raven a look.
“I thought so from your expression. What’s she saying?”
“Nothing helpful. She’s making unnecessary observations about things that are perfectly normal.”
Unnecessary?Savory ruffled her feathers.I’m providing wisdom about the natural progression of attraction and connection. The oak doesn’t question its growth toward the light.
“The oak also doesn’t have a judgy bird commenting on everything we say,” I muttered.
Dominic’s laugh rang out. “I like her.”
At least someone appreciates my insights,Savory said.Perhaps I should share my observations about how your emotional state is affecting the plants in this room. Or how you’ve smiled more in the past hour than I’ve seen in months. Or?—
“Don’t you have bugs to hunt?”
Her beak lifted.Are you dismissing me?
“I’m suggesting that you might enjoy some fresh evening air and abundant insect life in the gardens below.”
