She is mine.
A golden-haired male, next to the innkeeper, positions himself at the counter beside her. From his appearance, I assume he’s the innkeeper’s son. He leans in, smiling, far too close for my liking.
His face pales the moment I come up behind her and place myself between them, my gaze locking on his. A low growl builds in my throat in an unmistakable warning:Touch her, and I will end you.
He quickly backs off, and the other men in the room avert their gaze.
She is not for them to study. Not for them to want.
“Did you order our food?” I ask Vivienne, even as I level a dark glare at the male.
“Yes,” she replies.
The innkeeper’s son swallows hard. “It—it will be up shortly.”
Vivienne arches a brow, entirely unbothered. “Bring it to our rooms when it’s ready.”
He nods and practically flees to the kitchens.
I turn back to Vivienne. “You got more than one room?”
She lifts her chin, her smile sweet and entirely too smug. “I figured you wouldn’t want to sleep on the floor.”
My thoughts grind to a halt. I’d been looking forward to sharing a room with Vivienne, hoping that maybe tonight she’d let me sleep beside her. I just wanted to be near her.
But of course, she wouldn’t allow that. My fiery princess isstillfighting this… fightingus.
I sigh heavily. “How generous of you, Vivienne.”
A subtle smirk curls her mouth. “I thought so too.”
My lips twitch despite my disappointment. She is very clever, and she thinks she’s won.
Little does she know, it only makes me even more determined to prove myself to her… to do whatever it takes to win her heart.
CHAPTER 10
VIVIENNE
Auren stares at the shared door between our rooms, his arms crossed, looking decidedly displeased.
“You didn’t simply get two rooms, you got two grand suites?” His voice is low, edged with something I can’t quite place as he takes in the spacious accommodations. “You really need all this space?”
When the innkeeper told me they had two large rooms available, I absolutely couldn’t resist. I smooth a hand down my wrinkled tunic, feigning nonchalance. “I wanted you to be comfortable.”
“I somehow doubt that,” he mutters under his breath.
I frown, ready to argue, but before I can, the hallway door swings open, and a feast is carried into the room.
Two trays, piled high with roasted meats, fresh-baked bread, wedges of cheese, and glistening fruit, are placed on the small table near the hearth. A second server follows, carefully setting down a tray of pastries—lemon cakes, delicate berry tarts, flakyalmond croissants—along with a bottle of red wine and a pot of tea.
Auren’s eyes widen as he takes in the sheer amount of food. He turns to me slowly, his gaze flicking from the overflowing table back to my face. “How much did all of this cost?”
Taking a seat, I arch a delicate brow, folding my hands neatly in my lap. “It doesn’t matter. I paid for it.”
“Paid for ithow?”
I smirk, reaching into my pocket and pulling out the heavy pouch of gold coins from my father. Auren refused it, so I naturally took it instead.
