“I did eat a goat!”
Maddox Finch, An Exclamation
Everett’s footsteps make no sound as we traverse the fields behind the cottage.
Tonight was such an unexpected delight. Maddox is funny and Gryffin…well, he isn’t the worst man I’ve met the last few weeks.
But Everett…
Where do I even begin?
We come to a stop outside the gate. “Thank you for a wonderful night, Everett.”
He shifts his weight from one foot to the other as he frowns down at me. “My friends call me Ever.”
Ever. I like that even more. Him referring to us as friends, however, I could do without. Yes, I was the first one to suggest friendship, but that was before I got to know him. I have a sinking feeling that the more I learn, the less interested in friendship I’ll be.
“Would it be all right if I come to see you tomorrow night,Ever?”
“I will not be guarding the bridge tomorrow.”
Oh, right…
“Perhaps…Perhaps I could come to you?”
A night alone, just the two of us? Even better. “I would like that very much.”
From the pocket of his trousers, he withdraws a single silver flower. The petals are squished and flattened, but I love it all the same. He holds the flower out to me, and I take it with my heart in my throat. “Until tomorrow night, Kerris Dawn.”
“Just Kerris, remember?” If he wants me to call him Ever, surely, he’s capable of calling me by my given name.
“Kerris,” he whispers like a prayer. Gently, he raises his hand, his fingertips grazing the curve of my jaw. His touch ignites a longing so deep, it takes everything in me to keep from stumbling back.
This is bad. Very,verybad.
The fire I’d hoped to find burns in an Unseelie’s forbidden touch.
* * *
Clasping her hands beneath her chin, Nia bounces on her toes as the sunlight falls through my bedroom window, casting her snowy curls in a golden glow. “You simply must come along. It’s the hottest day of the year so far, and if you stay inside, you’re going to melt into a puddle. No one wants to marry a puddle, Kerris.”
I want to be excited about the prospect of visiting the quarry, but I’m not for two reasons.
The first: I got only a handful of hours of sleep last night.
The second: Prince Ronan Reve.
Going to the quarry means being stuck in a carriage with him. No, thank you. “I’d love to but perhaps it would be best if you go on your own.”
She arches a brow. “Because of Ronan?”
I nod. When I told her what happened, she was rightfully appalled.
“He will be the perfect gentlemen. I’ll make sure of it.”
I’m fairly certain she will be too busy with Nolan to do such a thing, but I appreciate the sentiment all the same. A day out could be exactly what I need to get my mind on something besides Ever. Heaven knows I could use a distraction.
Besides, I cannot stop living my life or hanging out with Nia because of the prince. He has already wasted the last few weeks of my life; I don’t plan on giving him any more.