Chapter 30 Audryn #2
“Don’t worry.” She waved a dismissive hand, a gesture similar to her brother's. “Don’t spill wine on it, and we’ll remain on pleasant terms.” Leanna took a seat on the sofa as the three men left the room.
I removed my sleep dress and stepped into the gown, attempting to make up for lost time.
“Ryder seems smitten with you.” Her smile was soft. “I think he’s preparing to ask you to be his betrothed.”
Obviously, she hadn’t heard about our disagreement the night prior, or she would have felt differently.
What would I even say if he asked? Was I willing not only to change who I was, but change my body for him too?
A tattoo may be trivial to some, but it was special to me.
It represented more than something, but someone. Two someones, actually.
“I appreciate your optimism,” I said, shaking my head, “but things didn’t go so great last night.”
“Oh, no.” Leanna frowned, but her joyful tone didn’t match her expression. “What happened?”
“It’s a long story.” I looked up at the ticking clock. “But let’s just say I don’t think things are going to work out. He’d have been better off with Allura. I wouldn’t wish Maris on my worst enemy.”
Leanna chuckled. “Yeah, I don’t think he’s interested in Maris. He has his eyes set on you.”
“Had, maybe. Not anymore.”
She hummed and glanced up at the ceiling. “Perhaps you could show him your gratitude tonight. Thank him for your time at the castle. A toast maybe? He loves a good toast.”
I pondered the idea. We’d been sure to clink glasses over dinner.
If I could find something heartfelt to say in front of so many important people, it might’ve been enough to lessen his anger.
It wouldn’t erase our issues, but I was fairly convinced we could work through whatever obstacles we faced.
Maybe he’d even be content enough to give me the name of Kam’s executioner.
Twenty minutes later, I was stuffing myself through my doorway with crinoline skirts puffing nearly a foot past my hips on either side.
The gold beading, sewn in an elaborate swirling pattern throughout the entire gown, scraped against the doorway as I squeezed through.
The bodice was a bit too tight, with small sheer fabric panels dipping off the shoulders as sleeves.
I hadn’t thought well enough to ask for a long-sleeved dress, but with my breasts pushed so close against my ribs that I thought they might spill out, I’d hoped they’d be enough of a distraction to keep Ryder’s attention.
Fisher squinted his eyes at me and scowled.
“Get over it,” I barked. “You were in my way. What you should’ve done was let me beat the shit out of her.”
“Have a splendid dinner,” Roark called out. I hadn’t seen him in the room during the melee, but if I’d hit him, he’d already forgiven me.
“Thank you!” I called over my shoulder as I continued without stopping. “I’ll try to bring you back some dessert.”
We were already five minutes late, and entering after everyone was seated was the last thing I needed. I picked up the pace to a jog. Fisher's long legs had no trouble speed-walking to match my pace. The skirts swished almost as loudly as my heeled boots clicked over the stone floors.
Right as I turned the corner, I smacked into King Grave.
“We must stop meeting like this.” He looked down, refusing to pull back. His cologne filled my nose—a mixture of warm earthy sandalwood, salt, and bergamot. Fisher stepped to my side and gently directed me away from the dark king.
Grave’s eyes raked down my body, and a sneer made its way across his face. His eyes slowly drew back up and landed on my hair, which rivaled his height.
His face lit up with amusement. “A very interesting choice in—”
“Shut up.” I glowered and immediately frowned at my outburst. I had told a king to shut up. A king that Rivale depended on for resources.
“Fuck, I’m sorry,” I said, dipping into a deep bow. “Your Majesty.”
“I told you how unnecessary this is,” he muttered, and waved a circle in my direction with his hand. “Bow if you must when your prince is around, but know that I don’t need you to.”
His hair was pulled back into a sleek bun, showing off the shaved sides of his head.
A black jacket, trousers, and a silver silk shirt hugged his body, showing every line of him beneath the fabric.
Silver strands of thread wrapped around the cuffs of his jacket sleeves and snaked down the sides of his trousers.
He looked absolutely stunning, yet oddly terrifying—a mixture of threat and captivating appeal.
I stood. “You grimaced when you saw me.” I looked over the dress, worried I’d somehow put the gown on incorrectly.
He shrugged. “You’d look better in black and silver.”
My mouth hung open, words lost from both my mind and tongue.
Fisher cleared his throat behind me, and Grave arched an eyebrow at the guard before turning his attention back to me.
“Did he enjoy it?” the king asked.
My gaze stayed stuck on him, soaking in his amber-colored eyes I’d been so certain were once chocolate brown.
“Audryn,” Grave interrupted me from my stupor. “Did he like it?”
“Huh?” My mind was full of a thick fog that I could barely navigate my way through.
Grave’s almond eyes darted to Fisher and back to me. He drew a deep breath and looked at the guard once more before scanning my face. “Your father, did he like the book?”
“I uhm …” Words failed me. “I … don’t know. “
“This conversation is highly inappropriate. You are late. You both are.” Fisher cleared his throat again, and I felt him step to my side. “People will talk.”
“Let them,” Grave’s voice rumbled.