Chapter 15
Much as shewanted to, Reyn couldn’t enjoy the rest of the opera. She didn’t know what to feel, think, or do about the events of the evening. It had been embarrassing enough when Enzi’s voice had carried over and she, Lisca, Selona, and Danten had all heard his opinion of her. Then Khiran had returned to the box, and she had been painfully grateful that Velario hadn’t seemed to be with him.
Her relief had lasted only a moment, because Velario was in Enzi’s box, confronting the other man.
His words had carried over the empty box, each one a balm to her wounded pride. Watching him loom over Enzi, hearing him defend her so vehemently, Reyn had felt a thrill of . . . something more than gratitude. Something warmer.
Then Velario returned and scowled at them all so mightily, and she wondered if he had defended her because he felt it was his duty as a part of their ruse. No matter his motivation, he had her thanks, not that he seemed to want it.
When the opera ended, and they all surged into the cool air, Reyn tried again. She knew Velario didn’t want to talk about it, but she needed to make sure he knew how much she appreciated his defense.
The sidewalks of Tryn were narrow enough that their group ended up walking in pairs, and it was easy enough to make sure she ended at Velario’s side rather than Selona’s.
“Thank you for what you did back there, Velario.”
She was prepared for him to scowl. She expected him to growl at her to not talk about it. She was even prepared for him to use her gratitude as a weapon in the rest of their conversations, holding it up as a reason for her to back down and accede to him.
Reyn was not prepared for him to shake his arm free of her hold and growl at her. “What did you ever see in him?”
Selona and Danten, only a few paces ahead of them, stopped and turned around. Lisca and Khiran had already pulled far enough ahead that they, at least, were not witnesses.
Reyn held her chin high. “I never saw anything in Lord Enzi.”
“So, you are chasing titles and riches.”
“No. I’m not chasing anything.”
“You chase everything. It’s a wonder you’ve been able to rein in your flirting when you are with me. It must test all your control.”
That was it. Reyn was done. Absolutely done with Velario. She would not wait for him to descend to insulting her in the same way as Enzi already had that evening. She spun forward again and walked as quickly as possible to Selona’s side.
“Let’s go.”
Selona looked back at her cousin, then at Danten. Reyn ignored the silent conversations going on around her and started walking. Selona caught up within a dozen paces and linked her arm with Reyn’s.
They walked in silence for two blocks. Then Selona cleared her throat. “I’m not making excuses for Velario, but I honestly don’t think he actually means it.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” She had thought Velario had started to understand her. That he no longer saw her that way. She had thought the insults they exchanged were no more than teasing at this point. She had only been teasing.
“Of course. And he absolutely owes you an apology, but I think the stress of everything is just getting the better of him.”
“I said I don’t want to talk about it.” Reyn didn’t. She wished for a moment that Merine was the friend at her side instead of Selona. She felt guilty an instant later, but Merine respected Reyn’s need to work through things on her own. Right now, she needed Selona to give her that same courtesy. If she kept pushing, Reyn was likely to lash out just as Velario had.
Yes, she understood stress and high emotions pushing one to say things they didn’t mean. But Reyn fought the urge. She had self-control.
“Right, but—”
“Selona!” Reyn took a deep breath. She softened her tone. “I can’t talk about it right now, Selona. I need time.”
“You won’t stop helping with the bank, though, will you? I understand that you and Velario don’t see eye-to-eye, but you can still put that aside for the sake of the kingdom, right?”
Reyn had an urge to snap that Lhanaperi wasn’t her kingdom, but she fought it down. She had self-control. She could handle spending more time with Velario. She would prove to him that she was more than a flirt. She was responsible, dependable.
But she also refused to keep being insulted. “If he apologizes and starts treating me as an intelligent adult, then yes, I am willing to continue the ruse as a favor to you, Selona.”
“Thank you. I’ll talk to him. And I won’t let him off easy, believe me.”
“What was that?” Danten moved to stand next to Velario. They watched Reyn and Selona stalk off.
