Judging from Vespan’s sour expression, he wanted to do anythingbuttake a walk. But then he also seemed like the sort who would curse a sunny day for not having a cloud.
“I think that would be good for them,” Papa said.
No reasonable denial sprang to Durae’s lips, so he forced himself to smile politely and motion toward the gardens. “Vespan, would you care to join me for a tour of the gardens?”
“I suppose,” Vespan said with a loud sigh.
Father pursed his lips. Papa beamed like Durae was the pinnacle of manners. Mama cast glances at both her partners, and her brow furrowed the slightest bit.
Before Durae stepped away, Uleyri tilted her head in the way that meant she was wondering if he’d noticed what she noticed. He lifted his chin and pressed his lips together to tell her that he’d caught onto the odd energy happening between their parents. Uleyri nodded once, the ever-so-slight dip of her head to signal that she was going to gather data. He returned the nod. He wasn’t sure what he’d learn from a distance, but whatever was happening might be a multiday investigation.Anything to ease the tediousness of all this damn talking!
The lanterns lighting the gardens weren’t overbright, so that the coming darkness lent an air of intimacy, even though everyone was still in decent lines of sight of many others.
Vespan walked stiffly with his hands clasped behind his back, staring at everything else in the garden without uttering a word.
If Vespan was trying to woo anyone, he was doing a poor job of it. Durae decided to abandon the pretense that this was another suitor attempting to pluck him from behind the protective rocks of the mountain and enjoy the garden instead. He paused to examine the petals of a flower he’d never seen before. It was a ruby shade with stripes of yellow.
“I’m sorry my great-grandmother forced you into spending time with me,” Vespan said suddenly.
Durae glanced up from the flower to find that Vespan was watching him with a very serious expression. Blinking, Durae said, “Forcedis a rather strong word.”
“My great-grandmother has a strong spirit.”
“She does.” Durae laughed.
Vespan cracked a small smile, and then he sighed and seemed more miserable than before. “It has been obvious to my family for some time that I have no interest in women. And they find no fault in that. I made a comment that you are handsome, and my great-grandmother took that as a sign of romantic interest. Which I don’t have. Toward you. Or anyone. And yet they want me to marry. You are, objectively, nice to look at.”
“Thank you,” Durae said slowly. He wasn’t sure what to make of Vespan’s admissions. They seemed an odd thing to tell a stranger before telling a family. But perhaps Vespan’s family hadn’t listened when he had told them. “Maybe Lady Narice is hoping you’ll make friends?”
“I’m not good at that,” Vespan complained. “I prefer books over people.”
“I’ve spent many hours reading.” Durae gently took the petal between his fingers. Its texture was soft with a hint of velvet that threatened to break in his hand if he applied pressure. “I agree that spouse-hunting is taxing and annoying, but I don’t know.I like seeing the world. Touching it. There is a firmness to an experience.”
“You can feel as much through a book as you can through a touch,” Vespan said. “Your heart can break. It can heal. You can learn a million things that would hurt to discover for yourself.”
“But you can’t feel the sun on your skin or the wind in your hair.” Durae grinned widely and made a motion for Vespan to let him finish speaking. “I’m not saying there’s no value in a book. I love them, too. But one of my favorite reading places is in the courtyard because I can be in the world and in my reading at the same time. And there is something to be said for getting out of the library on occasion.”
“That is actually a practical counterargument,” Vespan declared. “If Iwerethe romantic or marrying type, I think I’d be swooning.”
A loud laugh bubbled out of Durae. He looped his arm in Vespan’s. “Honestly, thank the gods you’re not. I have more than enough suitors knocking at the door to my heart.”
“I imagine not all of them are after your heart,” Vespan said seriously. “You come from a wealthy, well-respected family, Durae. Many of them are probably after your coin or title. In addition to the fact that you are very handsome. I don’t think I’ve seen you in a terrible outfit yet.”
“You haven’t seen me when I’m not perfectly put together,” Durae replied lightly. He was trying not to overthink what Vespan had said about people seeking him for reasons other than romance. Though the sentiment was one he knew, he hadn’tunderstoodits meaning. Because how could anyone choose to marry simply for money and status?
But then, how much easier would Blaze’s life be if he had it? And commoners weren’t the only ones who would benefit from a connection to the Navisora house.
Attempting to carry on the conversation as they walked, Durae said, “In the morning, I look absolutely dreadful.”
“I bet you still would turn more than a few heads,” Vespan said.
“Careful, I’m beginning to see why Lady Narice thought you were crushing on me,” Durae teased.
“It’s an objective thing to state!” Vespan cried. When he caught Durae’s amused smirk, he relaxed and laughed with him. “I suppose if I would like anyone that way, it might be you. I hope that doesn’t bother you.”
“It doesn’t. Please don’t take offense; you have an allure all your own, but I don’t know that my heart would grow romantic for you in the least. A fondness is possible. In a friendly way.”
“The next week and a half will be far more bearable with a friend,” Vespan agreed.
