Page 74 of Not Another Happily Ever After

It’s either that, or the heat from the arm Merrek’s slung around my shoulder.

“Yeah, Frog. Take it off,” he chides, but Frog doesn’t deign to answer.

In fact, I’m quite certain he didn’t hear the copper-curled knight at all. His darkened gaze is locked onto where Merrek’s fingers now play with my loose curls, his every ragged breath on full display through the rips in his tunic.

“Frog?” I ask, unable to hide the concern lacing my voice.

“Sorry, Princess. He can be a bit touchy when it comes to—” Merrek pauses, winking at the dark knight, “Immodesty.”

Oh?

Oh.

“Of course.” I lower my gaze, a faint, apologetic smile on my lips.

An uncomfortable silence stretches between us, broken only by the sound of a kettle at full heat.

“Tea’s ready!” Rhidland calls.

Thank God.

I duck out from under the twin’s arm, practically fleeing as I shuffle my way to Rhidland’s side.

“Careful, it’s hot,” the old guard cautions.

“Indeed,” I agree, unable to help my eyes wandering back toward the dark knight.

It’s only when I go to grab the tulip shaped mug made by Rhidland that I realize I, too, am being watched. For sitting across from me, with his lips tucked into a thin smile, is Myrrdin.

Couldn’t this curse kill me any faster?

“He likes you,” he says.

Hot tea blows out of my nose as I all but choke on a mouthful of the smoky blackberry drink.

“Pardon?” I gasp, swiping at the scalding mess dripping down my face.

“The…dragon?” Myrrdin’s brow knits with concern as he points toward where Buttons has fallen asleep in my lap. “Are youalright,Princess?”

No. As a matter of fact, I am not alright.

Aside from having to marry a man I detest, there’s a good possibility I’m losing my mind.

I am cold…all the time. Except for when I am burning with embarrassment. Which happens, oh, at least twice a day? And alwaysconvenientlyaround him.

My eyes snap to Frog.

The man claims we have never met, yet my heart refuses to agree. Its fondness for him has begun to grow far beyond what is forbidden.

Oh!

And to top it all off?

My body is turning blue.

I could not be further from?—

“Perfectly alright.”