"Speaking of plans. What are you two doing tonight?"
"There's a restaurant Atlas wants me to try.The Garden Room."
Nyx nods in approval. "Good food. A little fancier thanPrue'sbut not by much if you ask me."
"Well, I enjoyedPrue'sso I'm sure this will be good too." I inhale deeply, enjoying the crisp forest air filling my lungs. "It's just nice we get to spend time alone together in the city. We've both been so busy lately."
"Speaking ofPrue's." Ronan's eyes light up and his brows dance in mischievous delight. "You up for it tonight, Nyx?"
To my surprise, Nyx shakes his head, a sheepish look smeared across his face. "I don't think so, Rone." Nyx wipes the dirt from his face with a small handkerchief he pulls from his pocket.
I'm not the only one taken aback. Ronan's mouth drops open. "You don't want to go toPrue's? It's Friday. I thought we could grab a couple drinks, meet a few ladies – "
"It's been a long day," Nyx interrupts, swaying foot to foot.
"Are you sick?" Ronan plops his hand to Nyx's sweaty forehead and pulls back, flicking his hand of the perspiration. "Gross."
"That's called a hard day's work, Your Majesty." Nyx's sarcasm doesn't affect Ronan in the slightest.
"If notPrue'sthen what else are you going to do with the rest of your night?" Ronan presses. "Shaye will be with Atlas so you don't have to follow her like a lost puppy."
"Bodyguard," Nyx grinds his back teeth. "I'm her bodyguard."
"Call it whatever you like – "
"Ronan – "
"Finn and Eris will be at the apothecary shop tonight – not that either comes toPrue'sanyways." Ronan ignores Nyx's protests. "Shaye and Atlas are going on a date and probably want the house to themselves when they get back."
Nyx scrunches his nose like a child. "Ick."
"So that leaves us bachelors," the prince slaps a hand on top of Nyx's shoulder, unbothered by our reactions. "And bachelors go toPrue's. When is the next time we'll be able to go?"
Nyx shrugs his hand off. " I don't know. Next week?"
"Be realistic," Ronan rolls his eyes. "We both know it's only a matter of time before my father has a new assignment for you and I'm chained in depressing matrimony to a stranger. Let's go have a little fun."
Nyx can't seem to find a good reason not to go. I can see the wheels in his mind spinning, looking for some kind of excuse. I would help him if I could, but even I fall short of ideas with Ronan staring at us with great expectation. The prince knows he's cornered Nyx, and he won't accept no for an answer.
I can't say I blame either one for the perspectives. Nyx is probably tired and wants a night to himself. But Ronan is going through a mental crisis. Being forced to marry is clearly stressing him out. It might be one of the last nights Ronan and Nyx can go to Prue's as single men.
When the silent stand off continues far longer than I like, I open my mouth to break the silence but Nyx beats me to it.
"All right, Rone." Nyx's eyes soften, as if he's also come to the same conclusions I have about the prince. "You've convinced me."
Ronan puffs out a relieved breath. "Thank the stars! I was beginning to think I was talking to an imposter."
"Never that," Nyx smiles, but there's something off about it. I wish I could pinpoint what was bothering him, but I keep my thoughts to myself, waving as I make my way down the hill to the pathway into the city.
"You boys have fun!"
"Wait," Ronan motions to the carriage. "Do you want us to drop you off at the house? We have to go that way anyway."
My eyes dart to meet Nyx's. There's a silent plea for me to join them. What the hell is going on? Did they have a fight I don't know about?
I swallow hard and nod. "Sure. That'd be nice. Thanks."
The carriage ride is awkward. Ronan rattles on and on about all the good times he and Nyx had atPrue'sover the years. Nyx has remained quiet, only chiming in once in a while to prove to Ronan he's listening.
