Color touched her cheeks. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I prefer charmingly attentive.”
“That’s not what I’d call it.”
“Then what would you call it?”
She considered while stroking Savory’s spine. “Distractingly focused.”
“I like that better. It sounds mysterious.”
“It sounds like you’re not paying attention to important court matters.”
“On the contrary, I’m paying very close attention to themost important matter in this court, such as the strategic witch who keeps pretending she doesn’t notice me staring.”
Sasha lifted her eyebrows. “I notice.”
“Good.” I leaned back in my chair. “Would you like to know what I’m thinking when I stare?”
“Maybe?”
“I’m thinking about how you scrunch your nose when you’re analyzing something. How you touch your locket when you’re nervous. The way you braid your hair more tightly when you’re stressed. I’m memorizing details because I’m terrified I’ll miss something important.”
“Dominic—”
“I’m also thinking about kissing you again,” I said. “Fairly constantly, actually.”
She pressed back against the sofa cushions. “That’s distracting.”
“Is it working?”
“I believe it is.”
We shared a look loaded with unspoken heat. Three days of careful distance had only intensified the attraction between us.
“Perhaps we should go to breakfast,” I said when what I wanted to say was, can I kiss you again?
She rose. “Perhaps we should.”
We made our way down to the main dining room, Savory gliding ahead of us through the corridors. The morning light streamed through the tall windows, making everything feel bright and normal. Such a relief.
The dining room was already occupied when we arrived. My mother sat in her usual place along one side, serene as always in a gown of deep blue. Lady Kenneth had claimed the seat to her right and was already working through a plate of eggs and meat rashers. Lord Turrenoccupied the opposite side, his mirror propped against his tea cup while he examined his reflection between bites.
“Good morning,” my mother said. “How lovely to see you both.”
“Mother.” I waited while a chair pulled back for Sasha. Once she’d settled, I took my own seat beside her. “You’re up early.”
Savory landed on a sideboard, eyeing the platter of pastries in the center of the table. I shook a finger her way in warning.
“I’ve always preferred morning hours for breakfast. The light is better for reading.” Mother gestured to the book beside her plate. “I’ve been working through this treatise on ancient fae governance structures. Fascinating stuff, though the author has some questionable opinions about succession laws.”
Lady Kenneth looked up from her meal. “Your Majesties. I was hoping to catch you today. I wanted to extend that sparring invitation again, Lady Sasha. My schedule is open most days if you’re interested.”
“That sounds fun, and we should make an appointment,” Sasha said. “Though I should warn you, I’m better with strategy than actual combat.”
“Strategy is half the battle.” Lady Kenneth’s smile rose. “The rest is just execution. I’ll reach out when I have my calendar in hand.”
“Yes, do.”
