Chapter 12 Zara #2
Next to him is none other than the arrogant physician whom I briefly had the displeasure of meeting that afternoon.
I note the round shape of Alfrie’s ears.
Human again. Interesting. He stands near Alix, but they aren’t speaking with each other, and there’s no expression on his face as he stares blankly into the crowd and shimmering garden party.
It’s almost as if simply being here is causing him genuine pain.
I understand the sentiment all too well.
Leer chuckles in my ear. “He hates coming to these things. He even looks like he’s actively trying to avoid enjoying himself.”
I glance at Alfrie again. His gaze meets mine for the briefest moment, the striking green color and flecks of gold glimmering in the starlight and pixie dust. A muscle in his jaw ticks but he doesn’t smile.
He doesn’t look annoyed either. He simply turns away, and walks toward an empty seat next to King Hardin.
“He looks…sad.” I nearly whisper, not intending to say it aloud.
“Alfrie? No, he just despises court and all that goes with it. I assure you he’s fine.” Leer holds me closer to him as the music changes into a new tune. “Shall we continue?”
I lie awake staring at the starry ceiling above my bed, but I’m only thinking about Leer.
His arms wrapped around me, claiming me as his own. His lips grazing the tip of my ear.
Those rounded ears. That look of disdain. Sadness. His startling emerald eyes.
Wait.
I frown. No. Leer has beautiful blue eyes.
I close mine and take a deep breath in, clearing my thoughts.
I refocus on the perfect features of Leer’s face, replaying the evening once more in my head.
I picture his strong arms holding me close as he leads us through a waltz.
I sigh and smile. The entire night was magical.
Everyone around us seemed to melt away and we were the only two spinning around the dance floor.
My heart thrums giddily at the memory. We danced for hours that evening and my feet are now aching, but it was worth every blister. He’s amazing, and I literally know nothing about him.
Leer.
My future husband.
It’s a strange thought but somehow comforting all the same.
I’m thrust from my daydream by a quiet knock at my door. It’s probably Emlyn, ready for the gossip.
I roll off of my bed and hurry to the door expecting to see my friend waiting on the other side, but when I swing it open, I’m met with Leer’s beautiful face instead. His eyebrow quirks and he clasps his hands together in front of him, shifting his weight from foot to foot.
He hides his nervous energy quickly. His brow puckers above those icy blue eyes, and he jerks his chin in the direction in which he just came.
“I’m sorry, were you expecting someone? I can come back.
” Leer casually leans his arm against the door frame, suggesting that he’s anything but sorry.
His gaze roves hungrily over my sheer night dress and raises his eyebrows.
I tug my robe around me, embarrassed at my lack of clothing. “No, it’s okay. I thought you might be my ladies maid, that’s all.” I release my grip from the doorknob and brush a stray hair from my forehead. “Come in.”
He tentatively nods and steps over the threshold, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his dress pants.
His white shirt is no longer tucked neatly into his trousers, and the top two buttons are undone under a loosened bow tie.
His dark brown hair is tousled, and he looks as if he’s not been back to his rooms since the party ended two hours ago.
Leer stands in the center of the sitting room, looking everywhere except in my direction.
Finally, he turns to me, and my breath catches in my throat as his intense gaze pins me in place.
“I thought we should get to know one another. For real, this time. Since…” his voice trails off.
“I thought it might be nice to talk without the eyes of the court upon us.” He takes out a pocket watch and briefly glances at the time. “But it’s rather late, so.”
“No, it’s fine.” I inhale sharply and force out the words, “Would you like to sit?” I sweep a hand toward the twin arm chairs in the corner of my sitting room.
He moves toward me until he’s standing an arm’s length away, and I’m taken aback by his height.
He’s at least a foot taller than me now that I’m not in heels, and his expression is unreadable as he stares down at me.
A muscle tenses in his cheek and his lips curl upwards as he searches my eyes, his even breathing a stark contrast to my own ragged breaths.
“You’re a vision. I wanted to tell you the moment I first laid eyes on you.” He studies my face and reaches for my hand, pressing his lips softly to my palm.
He immediately releases my hand, a true gentleman, but he doesn’t pry his gaze away from my eyes—or lips.
A small voice inside me tells me I should be cautious, yet I can’t hear it over the overwhelming urge to show him to my bed.
My heart races. There’s something in his eyes.
His expression. It glues me to this spot as if by magic.
After a moment, he backs away a step, breaking the spell that has heat settling low in the pit of my stomach.
He pushes a hand through his wavy hair. “Actually, do you want to go out on the veranda?” Leer holds out his hand and I take it.
He leads me out to the patio on the opposite end of my room through the open glass double doors.
Regrettably, he releases my hand and leans his forearms on the stone balcony.
I plant my hands on the railing next to him and look down at the grounds below.
Several servants hustle to finish their nightly duties and a few straggling courtiers stumble around drunk after indulging at the party.
I push myself from the balcony and lean my hip on the stone, waiting for him to say something.
“I apologize if I’m acting strange.” Leer moves from the ledge and mimics my stance, facing me.
“I guess I’m nervous. Which is ridiculous considering we’ve already gotten to know one another on a more…
intimate level.” He smiles. Truly smiles, for the first time since he’s come into my rooms. It’s infectious.
I grin, warmth rushing through me again, and absently twirl a strand of hair around my finger.
He tracks the movement, his gaze darkening slightly, and he clears his throat.
“It’s not every day that I meet my betrothed.
If I’m being honest, I’ve had my reservations about. About the union.”
“You aren’t alone.” I fidget with the sleeve of my silk robe. “I haven’t exactly been excited about getting married, let alone getting married to someone I hardly know.”
He locks eyes with mine again, casting another spell upon me. My knees shake and my eyes are drawn to his beautiful face. “Exactly,” he whispers. “But at the same time…I can’t stop thinking about last night.” He swallows, “And when you look at me like that…your eyes…those lips—"
We’re both silent for several moments before he pushes himself from the ledge and closes the space between us on the veranda.
In a flash, he’s standing before me, holding my gaze like he owns it.
His lips are mere inches from mine, and I desperately want him to claim my mouth with his.
My heart beats wildly and I worry it might thump right out of my chest. I would hate to die without knowing what it’s like to be with him. In every way possible.
“I’m sorry for deceiving you last night. But, Zara, I want you to know that I’m fully in this. I intend to follow through with our marriage. I hope we can form a bond over time.” He raises his hand and gently brushes his fingertips over my cheek.
I shiver, an inexplicable feeling washing over me, and my entire being responds to his touch.
It’s electric. His voice is smooth and warm as it caresses my lips.
I close my eyes as he takes my chin in his hand and lightly kisses me.
I can hardly breathe, lost in the spinning euphoria of the moment.
He pulls his lips from mine and plants his hands on the balcony ledge, my body trapped between them, and he rests his forehead on mine.
I hold my breath, keeping my eyes shut, afraid that if I move, the moment will vanish.
I’ll be left alone, having imagined it all.
I sense his retreat, and I open my eyes to find him a couple feet from me leaning on the ledge once more. He glances my way and smiles, lighting up his eyes, and a deep shade of pink colors his cheeks. Whatever magic I just felt in that brief moment with his lips on mine, he felt it too.
He stares at me, wheels turning in his mind. “Let’s go somewhere tomorrow. I want you to show me your court. Show me Masseda.” His arm sweeps out to the court and town below.
“What do you want to see?”
“Everything.”