Page 44 of The Heir's Bargain

I nodded, my brows furrowing. The creases threatening to become permanent.

"The concert hall is his go-to. He always brings his latest conquests there and parades them around his family. It's like a show on top of a show. There's been stories about what happens there."

I snorted and shoved their hand off me. "You shouldn't believe all the gossip you hear, Sylv."

"I just. . ." Sylvia stared at me, eyes scanning my face. "Be careful with him, all right?"

"You can't be serious."

Sylvia crossed their arms over their chest.

"We're friends?—"

"Friends or friends, Dani?" Sylvia cocked a brow.

I cleared my throat. "Friends who are seeing where this could go. I'm not jumping into anything. It's. . ."

"Different?" Sylvia supplied.

"Yes," I said, but based on Sylvia’s disapproving gaze, that was the wrong answer.

"That's what they all say, Dani. I'm sure he says you're different too." Sylvia cocked their head in the direction of a group of nearby soldiers. "That's what Marisil said a few months ago. Look at her now."

Sure enough, Marisil, one of the soldiers in my company, was sending me metaphorical daggers with watering eyes that burned with flames.

I quickly looked away and leaned closer to Sylvia. "Why is she staring at me like that?"

Sylvia patted me on my arm. "Like I said, word gets around. She's still heartbroken over that boy, and she's not the only one."

A sour taste filled my mouth as I shifted on my feet. My gaze swept across the hundreds of soldiers gathering their belongings and leaving the training yard. Some of the women, however, hesitated as they spotted me, their gazes turning cold.

"He's a prince and one of the most eligible men in Pontia." Sylvia squeezed my arm, but the gesture did little to comfort the rising anxiety in my stomach. "Captain, you might have just earned yourself a few more enemies."

"Fynneares Andros Nadarean!"

Fynn snapped his head around, his unbuttoned blouse billowing in the breeze that swept across the castle's training grounds. Sweat glistened on his face. His hair was tousled as if he had been running his hand through it nonstop.

I barreled forward. I slammed my palm into his chest, hitting muscle that I didn't let surprise me.

Fynn stumbled back. "What the fuck, Dani?"

"Don't." I shoved a finger in his face. "Don't play the coy, ignorant prince. It does not suit you, Fynneares."

"You know," he said, swatting my hand away, "this would go more smoothly if you simply explained what you are upset about."

"You know exactly what—" I snapped my lips shut as someone nearby cleared their throat.

My gaze slipped to behind Fynn, where Terin shifted on his feet, appearing as uncomfortable as ever.

"Hey, Dani," Terin said with a half-wave. He scratched the back of his head. "Trouble in paradise already, huh?"

"I—" The blood rushed to my cheeks, and the back of my neck heated. I glanced at Fynn for help. But when I turned to the prince, his back was to his brother, and his arms were crossed over his chest, a cocky half-smirk splayed across his face.

Arrogant asshole.

The corner of his lip tugged upward as I let the words slip beneath my shields.

A little help here? I added.

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