20. Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty
A ll day, I look forward to dinner.
To seeing Viridian again.
Girlish excitement jumbles my thoughts, and tonight, I actually care about how I look. More than I’d like to admit.
I sit at my vanity table while Tiffy styles my hair.
She glances at my reflection in the mirror and then looks back down at her hands, chuckling.
“What?” I ask, arching a brow.
“Pardon my bluntness, Miss,” Tiffy starts. “But I’m not used to seeing you be so cheerful. You’re like a whole new person.”
“Ah.” My cheeks flush red. “I’m not either.”
“It’s a good thing, I’m sure,” Tiffy adds, twisting some of my hair around her finger before pinning it to my head. She pauses and lowers her face so it’s next to mine in the mirror. “And I’m sure His Highness is just as excited to see you.”
“Oh?” I downplay my reaction. But my heart thrums in my ribcage. “What makes you say that?”
“You two have been absolutely smitten with each other since you returned from your romantic getaway together,” Tiffy gushes. “Have you noticed the way he looks at you?”
“No,” I say, keeping my head still so as not to ruin my hair. “How does he look at me?”
“Like he would do anything you asked,” Tiffy swoons. “I would simply melt if a man looked at me the way His Highness looks at you, Miss.”
“Oh,” I murmur, more to myself than her.
I hadn’t noticed that .
“Mmhmm.” Tiffy nods, emphasizing the sound.
My stomach does a flip. What Tiffy’s told me colors my view of Viridian, making him seem different, somehow.
As if there is something between us that wasn’t there before.
He’s the same Viridian you know, I remind myself.
But is he? I hated the Viridian I once knew. The arrogant fae prince that ripped me from my home. The one that I thought was forcing me into a life I never wanted.
Now …
Now, he’s the compassionate future king. The one that cares for his kingdom and all of his people.
And maybe, even me.
I’m not so sure I hate him anymore.
Oh gods.
The thought settles my nerves but doesn’t dim the electric excitement I feel coursing through me.
When she finishes my hair, Tiffy helps me into my gown. It’s a deep violet, rich in color like that of fae wine. The bodice sits perfectly at my waist, and the A-line of the skirt emphasizes my hips, giving me an hourglass figure.
One of the other ladies’ maids hands Tiffy a box. She takes it and opens the lid.
“And now, for the finishing touch,” Tiffy says. I try to get a better look in the mirror while she removes something from the box and drapes it around my neck.
I suck in a breath.
Hanging from a delicate gold chain is a beautiful rose. It’s made from a mix of gold and bronze metal strands that have been twisted and intertwined to form the rosebud.
“It’s from His Highness,” Tiffy tells me, with a knowing look on her face.
I touch my fingers to the rose. Warmth spreads through my chest.
I stand. Gently turning me around so my back faces the larger mirror, Tiffy hands me a handheld one to hold in front of my face. When I do, I get a full view of the back of my head. Tiffy has truly outdone herself—multiple smaller braids join into one large braid that wraps around my head, giving the illusion of a crown, framed by small circular twists of hair pinned underneath.
“Thank you,” I tell her earnestly.
“You’re welcome.” Tiffy bows her head. “Enjoy dinner with His Highness.”
I smile, and heat rushes to my cheeks. “I will.”
Tiffy and the other two ladies’ maids wait for me to leave my chamber first. They follow me out and close the door behind them.
Careful of my skirts, I glide through the corridor and down the main staircase. When I turn the corner toward the great hall, my heart leaps into my throat.
Dinner with Viridian is nothing unusual. It’s our daily routine.
But after our kiss in the council chamber earlier, this dinner feels different . It feels new and wonderful and exhilarating. As if I were a bird, soaring across the skies with the wind blowing between my feathers.
Pausing, I approach the double doors that lead into the great hall. I close my eyes for a moment and take a deep breath before pushing them open.
I see Viridian instantly.
Sitting in his usual spot, he’s replaced his usual attire with a fine, high-collared jacket the color of bronze, with sleeves lined with bronze metal. He wears it buttoned up, save for the top two buttons. His pants are made of the same material and metal lining, and his loose black hair has been combed back away from his face.
I drag my eyes up to his face, only to see his amber stare roaming my body.
His focus slowly trails up my figure, pausing at my waist, and then my breasts, before making its way up to my gaze.
I relish the feeling of his hungry stare on me. It only makes me want him closer.
He stands and crosses the length of the table to reach me. Then, he takes my hand and raises it to his mouth, pressing his lips to it.
“You look…” his voice trails off. “Absolutely stunning.”
“And you…” I drink him in again, not bothering to hide my approval. “You clean up well.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
Still looking at me, he licks his lips. He glances at the table, as if he were just remembering why we were here.
He strides to my chair and pulls it out for me. “My lady.”
Cheeks warm, I sit. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Viridian lingers for a moment, before taking his seat across the table from me.
As if on cue, the servants arrive with the first course and place it before us. It’s a clear broth, with sliced mushrooms and topped with a delicate herb garnish.
Viridian waits for me to pick up his spoon, mirroring my movements .
I taste my soup, all while holding his gaze.
“So…” I clear my throat. Nerves tighten the muscles around my vocal cords.
“So…?” he echoes, the tone of his voice raised in question.
“That kiss was…” My eyes flick down to my soup, and I bite my lip.
“Amazing,” Viridian finishes, as if he were breathless.
“Yes. Amazing.” I repeat, looking back up at him. No one has ever made me feel the way Viridian did with just one kiss. No one.
Kissing him felt so…
So right.
As if he were the only one that I was ever designed to kiss.
I know my thoughts sound silly. And that to anyone else, it would seem like I’m acting like a na?ve teenage girl. Maybe I am.
But right now, I don’t care.
I don’t care.
“I’m glad.” Viridian’s mouth breaks into a wide grin, and I can’t help but beam at him. This male I once despised. This male that I know I should still despise.
I can’t find the energy to loathe him.
Not anymore.
We finish our first course, then the next. It goes by all too fast. I don’t want this night to end.
Something tells me that Viridian doesn’t either .
He rises from his seat and moves toward me purposefully. “Dance with me,” he breathes.
“Here? But we don’t have music,” I say, standing.
“Who says we need music?” He stares at me intently, holding out his hand.
I take it, and he tugs me closer until I’m pressed to his chest. He rests his other hand on the small of my back, holding me close.
He sways his hips to an imaginary beat. Still holding his hand, I interlock my fingers with his and follow his lead.
I don’t know how long we dance like that, gazing into each other’s eyes. We don’t say much, but we don’t need to. Our bodies, our eyes, and our faces tell each other anything and everything we want to say.
Even though no words are spoken, I feel as though I understand him better than I ever have. Perhaps even better than I’ll ever understand anyone else.
The realization settles into my bones. Though, I don’t fight it. This time, I embrace it. I welcome it with open arms.
There is nowhere else I would rather be at this moment.
With this male.
Viridian steps back and spins me. My mouth parts, the hint of a smile tugging at my cheeks, and I finish the twirl in his arms. He leans forward, tilting his head down into the crook of my neck. Breathing me in. Then his lips brush against my skin, sending shivers trembling through my body.
He pulls away, his eyes still fixed on the soft skin there .
“Come.” He motions his head toward the double doors. “It’s late.”
I nod. Fatigue weighs down my limbs, and I know I should sleep. But sleeping means that tonight ends.
I don’t want tonight to end.
But when Viridian holds out his arm, I take it. He escorts me upstairs to my bedchamber.
“Goodnight, Little Fawn,” he says, his voice a soft caress.
“Goodnight,” I murmur, my own, a whisper of longing.
Back in my chamber, I peel off my dress and change into my nightgown. Slowly, I take my hair down. Unpinning my updo, my auburn locks start to tumble freely over my shoulders.
I glance at the wall while I work. Knowing his room shares a wall with mine, I wonder how Viridian feels to lie so close to me, yet so far, at the same time. Does he wish he were in my bed, holding me, the way I do? Is he looking at the wall that separates us, thinking the same things?
Moving to my bed, I sit, still removing the braids from my hair. When I’m finished, I lay back onto my pillow and rest my hands on my abdomen.
Closing my eyes, I imagine Viridian’s lips on my neck.