Xenia straightened his lapels, then gestured to a stack of thin volumes on the table.
He plucked up the top one. “Odes on the Seasons of Love?” He frowned. “I think you’re seriously overestimating my acting skills if you think I’ll be able to get through this drivel.”
Xenia placed her hands on her hips, glaring adorably. “Laetitius is one of the most celebrated wordsmiths in all of Ethyrios. He was the official poet for the Imperial Court for centuries until he passed. Only an uncultured beast would call his workdrivel.”
Cael laughed despite himself, unable to resist when she sassed him. He lowered his voice, using the tone he knew worked best to tame her. “You like that I’m an uncultured beast.”
She stared at his lips, sinking her teeth into her own. “That. Right there. That’s the voice you need to use on Elodie. Don’t forget the goal—pool of melted butter in your lap.”
He chuckled. “All business today?”
“No distractions. I’ve got my eyes on the prize. Therealprize.”
“Which is what?” he asked, unable to drop his smile. Happened a lot when she was around.
“You and me, far away from Stoneridge,” she whispered, sending heat down his spine. “So you can finally show me exactly how uncultured and beastly you can be.”
He nearly snarled with desire, had to shove his hands into his pockets to keep from bending her over the back of the couch. “You know, a male might question why a female who claims to be interested in him is pushing him into the arms of another.”
She cocked her head, surveying him with a knowing smirk. “You’re in a playful mood today. The affirmations are helping, aren’t they?”
He snickered, remembering the one she’d left for him this morning:I am capable of achieving greatness.
He still felt stupid saying them, but he’d promised her he would. And as crazy as it sounded, hedidthink they were helping bolster his mood.
But was it the affirmations? Or was it the daily proximity to the woman who’d provided them?
He grinned. “Not sure I would classify stealing a necklace from my fiancée asgreatness, but we’ll go with it.”
“Good,” Xenia said, just as the door to the library opened.
Elodie stepped in, her hazel eyes landing on Cael and Xenia as soon as she crossed the threshold. She frowned as she wended through the couches and armchairs. Xenia stepped aside, clasping her hands and bowing her head.
“What isshedoing here?” Elodie sneered, curling her fingers into the skirt of her lemon yellow dress.
Cael lifted Elodie’s hand and pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles. “She works in the library now, my darling. She was reassigned per your request. Stays hidden within the stacks all day so she doesn’t bother anyone else with her incompetence.”
Xenia, head still bowed, shot him a look out of the corner of her eye that said,Asshole.
He shot her one back that said,You asked for this.
Elodie’s lip twisted as she raked her gaze down Xenia, who shrank further beneath it. “Doesn’t explain why she’s here talking to you.” Cael fought the urge to growl at her. She raised her hand to her throat, running the tiny brass key along its chain and letting out a little huff.
Cael gestured to the poetry books. “She collected these for us. I thought we could read them together.”
Elodie squealed with delight. “IadoreLaetitius’s work!” She placed a hand on his chest. “Oh, Cael, you know me so well already.”
Xenia stiffened, shot him another look that said,See?
Cael tried not to roll his eyes as he addressed Elodie. “I look forward to getting to know you even better.”
Xenia rolledhereyes at Elodie’s giggle, and Cael bit back a laugh.
Elodie turned to Xenia, leaving a possessive hand on Cael’s chest. “You’re dismissed.”
Xenia curtsied, then shuffled toward the stacks, leaving Cael with his preening fiancée and a pile of love poetry.
Stygios fuckingtakehim.
