“My father didn’t want me wasting my time,” he said quietly. “He said celebrations were frivolous. He didn’t like them much himself. I assumed that was part of being a ruler.”
Frivolous. At leastnowI knew what it meant.
“Celebrating your own birthday isn’t against the rules,” I said.
“The mentality is a little difficult to get rid of,” Bennett said with a short laugh.
I stilled, feeling his breath ruffle my hair. I twisted a strand hard between my fingers to center myself. “Lady Marianna only wanted to give you a nice dinner.”
He shrugged. “My aunt has been overbearing in her celebration tactics in the past. I’ve learned to avoid her,” he said. “But you’re right. I should apologize.”
How odd that the crown prince of Olderea wasn’t comfortable celebrating his own birthday because of the king.
Bennett’s gaze fell to my left hand, which rested between us. “You’re not wearing your ring.”
I had forgotten it in my dress pocket last month. It was surely back at Greenwood Abbey. He was wearing his, a plain gold band on his ring finger. I never noticed it before. If we were a love match, I would have given him a ring too. But our union was one of necessity. What would he think of me, leaving behind the very thing that symbolized our duty to the kingdom?
“It...didn’t fit,” I lied, cursing myself for my forgetfulness.
Bennett touched my hand, his fingertips rough and stained with ink. He ran a thumb over my ring finger. It was a light touch, but it sent a jolt through me. “Odd. I thought it would.”
I held my breath as his hand rose to brush a coppery strand of hair away from my face. He twisted it between his fingers and stared, as if admiring the color. It was awfully forward of him.
“Um...” I couldn’t manage a coherent word.
Bennett’s eyes flicked to mine, closer than ever. They were hazel, not brown like I thought. How did I miss that?
“Apologies,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “I find myself in a strange mood.”
My stomach turned as it did the night of the Winter Solstice Ball, but this was a different sort of feeling. One I wasn’t sure I wanted to identify.
The window seat was shrinking. Or was he leaning closer?
“Your Highness!”
The door burst open. Bennett and I sprung away from each other as Lord Frederick came in, eyes wide and hair disheveled. He bowed quickly.
“Forgive me for the interruption, but there’s news from the palace. The former duchess has attempted a prison break. The Royal Guard managed to stop her, but...I think there’s something you should see.”
