Page 19 of Of Snow and Sapphire

Lord Cirrus sighed. “Do you think it would be rude to interrupt?”

The other one, Lord Aeden, his gray hair a ruffled mess, shrugged. “She’s Queen, I think it’s wise we wait.”

Zimyn found himself nodding and immediately stopping when Novus smirked at him from across the room. Zimyn gave his guard a stern look in return.

“Waiting doesn’t seem like the prime strategy. If I want to call her mine, then I need to step in. Consequences be damned. ”

“Insulting her isn’t either.” The noble that seemed to not give a shit about this at all responded. He began unbuttoning his shirt as if the room was hot. Zimyn had to restrain himself from slapping him for being so uncaring. He was in the presence of their Queen and thought it okay to conduct himself like a bored child.

Lord Cirrus groaned, messing with his diamond cufflinks; ones he likely took with zero cost because of his family.

Although diamonds were special and created abundant trade, they were not as rare as the sapphire—the court’s sanctioned gem directly from the Weather Gods. There were so few of them within the court, and all of them were within the castle walls.

Zimyn’s sword had a sapphire decorating its hilt, though the sword was more for show than for actual combat. It had been passed down from his father and all Captains before him. It was blessed by the minister each year after the Undertaking. Zimyn usually kept it hidden in his room. It was too ostentatious, in his opinion. He also had no loyalty to the Gods. He always felt that the gemstones were just another way to control the people, a physical sign of the Weather Gods good intentions that others believed. Yet, at the end of the day, the Weather Gods still preferred humbling them each year by threatening them with their extinction. He never voiced those opinions, knowing that Ludelle needed to have full faith in the Gods in order to keep fighting for their court. He respected that about her.

Lord Cirrus slid down on his couch, his shoes dragging the fur rug and making a mess. “I think they have had enough time.”

Zimyn practically drilled a hole in the back of the noble’s head with the way he stared him down as the noble made his way to Ludelle. The three of them exchanged a few words before the two nobles switched spots. The remaining noble on the couch downed his drink.

Zimyn took a deep breath, preparing to endure a long few hours.

Ludelle couldn’t take it. She could barely focus on what any of these nobles were saying, and that was a problem since she only had a few days left before having to make a decision. Why was Zimyn even here?

“—and I just think I could level up the decor of this castle. It could use my keen eye.”

Ludelle shook her head at Lord Cirrus. “What?”

“I was saying,” he enunciated slowly as if she was daft. The music in the background had crescendoed, growing in intensity. It was her favorite harpist, the one who had played at the ball, too. One she discovered on a visit to the Lightning Court years ago. Although the court had innovated, there was something about the grandness yet simplicity of the harp that called to Ludelle. “That the castle needs to be updated. I feel like I’m in a hollow cove, not the home of royalty.”

Ludelle peered around the room. All the decorations for this gathering had given it some character for sure, though she supposed the actual foundation of it all looked plain. “Are you insulting my ancestors' design choices?”

“Yes,” he said simply, rubbing his fingers against the fabric of the chaise, his face turning in disgust, unimpressed with the quality, Ludelle guessed.

Ludelle didn’t even hate the fact that he honed in on such a mundane thing. It was better than trying to sway any of her political choices. That’s why he would be the perfect choice. He would allow her to rule, while he planned the parties.

“I’ll take that into consideration,” she said finally, resigned to let him speak.

“That includes the bedroom.”

Of course it did. “What about the bedroom?”

“Well, I haven’t seen it obviously, but I am very particular with how I like to sleep.” He gestured to himself when Ludelle didn’t respond. “Nude. I need bedding that is gentle on my fragile skin.” Skin he had dotted with small diamonds along his neck and hands, which matched her own glittering arms. She wondered who told him that she would be dressed like this.

Ludelle didn’t even know what to say at this point. This man had disillusioned himself into thinking he would even be allowed to sleep in the same bed as her. The castle had many bedrooms. Her future husband could find his own.

“I think I should move on to the final noble,” Ludelle suggested, but Lord Cirrus only scooted closer, his thigh now pressed against hers.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

“Now you just are insulting my power.”

“No, I’m complimenting my determination. Two different things.” He reached over her, his body extending towards the dessert table as he plucked up a piece of chocolate covered fruit. His body smelled of woodsy musk, like he ran through the outdoors and absorbed it into his light skin.

He took a bite of his treat, and juice oozed down his mouth. He slowly licked his lips, savoring the taste of it.

“I’d prefer if you didn’t eat that way in front of me.” Ludelle’s stomach churned at his failed attempt at being sensual.

“Are you not used to a man who is confident with his tongue?”

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