He knew exactly where I was going.
“Neither do I, Obi,” mumbled Tassarion.
“Hush!” I raised a finger. “Now, listen.” I raised my hands, signifying caution. “Hear me out.” I grinned like a fiend. “Let’s throw a masquerade.” I paused for dramatic effect. “Thistwinight.”
“Rot,” Tassarion groaned, throwing his head back.
Obsidian huffed before clapping his hand against his forehead.
Bones lay in his corner, licking his paws, cackling to himself.
“Roièssa can’t be serious.”
“She, in fact, isveryserious, Obi.”
“More serious than the dead, actually,” Bones chimed in cheerfully.
I crossed my arms, ignoring their protests. I wouldn’t be denied.
This blasted manor was overdue for some pomp and enjoyment.
“Do not deny me,” I said indignantly, glaring at Tassarion.
The king tilted his head. He bobbed his foot, the motion jiggling my leg over his thigh. He could think for as long as he wanted. I wasn’t taking no for an answer.
“No.”
“Not an option.”
“No.”
“I’m not repeating myself.”
“It’s too dangerous, Everheart.”
“I don’t care. You’reyou. You’ll keep us safe.”
“By the Infinite, Nahomie. Why are you so rotting stubborn?”
“Stop deflecting and just say yes!”
Tassarion rubbed his eyes, leaning his head back against a pillow. His bare chest was an open invitation, but I refused to touch him, knowing I wouldn’t be able to stop. Seven dawns had come and gone since our picnic on the beach. Since he’d moved me from Roièssa Clarèssa’s chambers to the lair. Seven dawns went by with me starting the dawn on this couch eating firstfast while pushing him to bring somelifeinto the manor. I got him to budge on letting me open windows, drapes, brightening the ethèrlamps, and playing music in the halls.
I’d bided my time before dropping the idea of a masquerade.
Truthfully, this was going better than I thought it would.
“I’m not bringing Vainyens back into the manor, Emélie. It’s dangerous.”
Tassarion sat back up and reached for his angelwine. I could tell in this moment he found me insufferable, but he was also too busy enjoying my company to send me, and what he thought were my ridiculous ideas, packing.
“Come on!” I leaned in, batting my lashes, pleading with him. “You scoff in the face of danger. Honestly, Tassarion. What do you have against parties?”
“We were at a party when Marcèllian had the Fallen come for us,” he quipped.
Well, rot. I pressed my lips together.
I wasn’t sure how to come back from that.
