Page 31 of The Shadows Between Us
Then Kallias walks in, and the servants leave us alone in the parlor.
“I should have known,” I grumble as I take my seat, wondering if I should be prepared for more chastising from him.
“I thought I would join you today,” he says, holding out my chair for me. “I should visit your chambers to sell our act. We will, of course, avoid the bedchamber, so as not to ruin your reputation.”
I take a sip of my juice before saying, “You were in my bedchamber last night. Is that room only to be reserved for when you feel like yelling?”
He looks down, ashamed. “I was hasty to make assumptions. I should have known the ladies would exaggerate their gossip.” He looks up from his food, taking a proper look at me. At my neck. “Do you like my present?”
“I liked it better before you yelled at me.”
His eyes darken, and he stops the hand that was on its way to run through his hair. He holds absolutely still for a moment, as though thinking through something carefully.
“Ah,” he says at last. “I have not yet apologized.”
“No, you haven’t.”
“I’m sorry for behaving like an ass last night. Could you ever forgive me, Alessandra, my friend, if I promise never to do it again?”
“Do what, precisely?” I ask.
“Jump to conclusions without coming to you first, in earnest. Not in anger.”
I take my time, making a good show of thinking it over. But of course I forgive him. He has by far given me the sincerest apology I’ve ever received.
“You could yell at me in turn, if it would make you feel better,” he offers.
“I’m not in a mood for yelling.”
“Then save it for when you are in the right mood. It’s only fair.”
I crack a smile. “I forgive you.”
The tension in his shoulders relaxes, and he focuses on the meal before him. Without looking up, he says, “The necklace is lovely on you.”
He’s really fishing for my gratitude. Is he worried I do not like it?
“It’s the most exquisite gift I’ve ever received,” I say truthfully.
A small smile reaches the corners of his lips. “No doubt you’ve received many gifts from men.”
“No doubt,” I answer playfully.
“Has Lord Eliades tried to woo you with gifts?”
“So you’ve noticed his attentions toward me?”
“I think everyone in the castle can tell he’s smitten with you.”
I smile. “Not yet, he hasn’t.”
“Good.” As an afterthought, he adds, “Because it wouldn’t do for people to think you’re being courted by someone other than me. It would ruin our plans.”
“Of course.” But could that have been just a smidgeon of jealousy in his tone?
IENTER MY ROOMSfor the evening, having spent a lovely afternoon with the ladies in the sitting room. I didn’t see Kallias, save for breakfast. More and more it’s becoming important for me to find a way into the meeting rooms. Not only do I wish to get a head start on running the kingdom, but if those rooms are where Kallias spends the majority of his time, then I need to be there.
How else am I to get him to fall in love with me if we’re not spending more time together?
