Keira’s head was nodding before she could produce the word. She had collided into his arms before it fell from her lips, just for him. “Yes.”
His arms tightened around her like a promise of forever.
Florian
The liege Lord of Northall had kindly granted the members of the Blades rooms in the keep, which they had wasted no time settling into. Knox and Lilith had then disappeared off Fate knew where, leaving Florian alone to help Rhea and Gareth lug up the giant golden snake, which they were intent on bringing back to Grimlocke, if not as payment than as another unusual trophy. Now, he was walking through the congested halls to the largest stay room where Keira had taken to preparing for the wedding.
Three servants were exiting the room as he arrived, all holding various bundles of flowers. They bobbed little bows before leaving him to whatever task they were rushing to prepare. Florian rapped his knuckle on the door. It was already open a sliver, but he didn’t want to barge in on a fitting or the like.
“What now!” Lilith’s impatient voice sounded a moment before she appeared, the door opening wide. “Oh,” she relaxed at the sight of him. “Keira, it’s Florian.”
“Send him in,” Keira answered.
Lilith left the door open, going to sprawl out on the large bed. Aside from the giant four poster bed, the room was furnished with layers of rugs and an oversized fireplace to keep the chill at bay. It was very comfortable in a rustic northern sort of way,though Florian preferred the style of the airy southern palaces better.
Keira was sitting at a small table, her dark hair pulled over her shoulder, wet from a recent washing. Scattered throughout the room, dresses had been piled on every surface in every color and shape, various styles popular in different regions of the realm.
“They’ve been coming in all afternoon,” Lilith explained as she saw Florian examining a trunk full.
“Some of them are from Northall’s collection, but most have been donated by members of the court,” Keira said. “They’re trying to help, since it’s all happening in such a rush.”
“Generous of them,” Florian remarked, running his fingers down the satiny fabric of a yellow gown.
“It’s only because Caspian and the prince are such good friends. They’re trying to impress him,” Keira shrugged.
“Or maybe they feel bad that you almost got eaten by a magical snake this morning,” Lilith added.
“Or maybe they recognize true love when they see it,” Florian suggested.
Lilith rolled her eyes, and Keira looked less than convinced.
He sighed. “Do you think Keira and I could have a minute?”
Lilith looked between them. “What am I supposed to do? Jerk off in the hall? I’m helping her pick a dress.”
“Please, Lil.”
“Fine,” she groaned before turning to Keira. “But you can’t pick one without me! Rhea and I… we didn’t get to pick out dresses or flowers or even our cords. You have to let me live vicariously.”
“I will, don’t worry,” Keira promised.
Lilith studied each of them before she left, closing the door behind her.
A beat of silence passed between them before Florian displaced a bundle of gowns and sat down across from her.
“Lilith is going to cut you for messing with her piles,” Keira remarked. “They’ve been carefully sorted.”
“Oh?” Florian quirked a brow. “What was that one?”
“I have no idea,” she admitted. “I’ve got to say, three years together, and I never figured her to be the gowns and flowers type.”
Florian laughed. “We’re all full of surprises, eh?”
“Yes, some more than most.” Her tone suggestive, her meaning clear.
He took in a heavy breath. “Thank you, for your pardon today.”
“I only did it for you,” Keira said easily. “If it had been up to me… She still has more to answer for..”
