Page 53 of The Heir's Bargain

Fynn's brows rose in shock. "You think I carry that much coin? Or any coin for that matter."

"You mean you don't?—"

Fynn blinked. "I'm the Crown Prince. Things I buy usually get charged to the crown."

"Oh, Fynn," I said, patting his cheek, the light beard covering his jawline tickling my palm. "My naive little prince. This isn't that kind of establishment."

Once Fynn had shown up, our mugs were never empty.

Roth may have preached about how little titles meant inside his tavern, but his attentiveness to our table would have suggested otherwise.

Two and a half ales later, Fynn glanced around the table, the buzz reddening his cheeks. "Anyone up for a game of cards?"

"I'm always up for a good game," Moris said, raising his glass.

"Count me in, too," Sylvia said.

"Dani?" My name was light on Fynn's tongue; his gaze soft, almost hesitant. "You in?"

Across from us, Sylvia tipped their head to the side, grinning. The haze of the three pints of ale, a shining coat over their amber eyes.

I didn't know how much time had passed, but my ability to keep up this act was draining, and the ale didn't help. The more I drank, the greater the chance I had of slipping up. I had almost outed myself one too many times tonight.

Lying to the public was one thing, but to my friends, it was proving to be a challenge.

Fynn, however, didn't seem affected at all. Honestly, it was annoying how good Fynn was at pretending to court me.

"Come on," Sylvia begged.

"Yeah, Ferrios," Fynn piped in, gently nudging me with his elbow. How can one game hurt?"

I pursed my lips and leaned back. "Deal 'em, Nadarean."

"That's my girl," Fynn said with a wink as he began shuffling the deck of cards. "Everyone familiar with fifteen hundred?"

Sylvia and Moris nodded, but I narrowed my gaze. I knew the game, but I also knew Fynn.

"Good," Fynn said, ignoring my cold stare. He split the deck into two neat piles and bent the stacks, the cards arching slightly between his hands before he released them. With a quick movement, the cards shuffled back together, Fynn's long, delicate fingers keeping them from spilling onto the table. "Moris, you're on my team. Sylvia and Dani, you're together."

"But—" I interjected but swallowed my words when everyone's gazes snapped to mine.

"Is there a problem, Ferrios?" Fynn asked, head cocked to the side, the smugness dripping from his gaze.

The Crown Prince knew exactly what the problem was.

I had played this game countless times growing up. Back then, however, it served a greater purpose. When Fynn had revealed his gift to Graeson and me, we played to help strengthen my mental shield. One too many drunken nights spent in the Nadarean's family cottage, I had fallen into the trap of playing against Fynn and Terin. But I wasn't drunk enough to make that mistake tonight.

Not yet, anyway.

When it came to Fynn, I knew better than to step foot near a game like fifteen hundred if the rest of the party was ignorant of his ability. After all, what fun was it when your opponent could read your mind and not only see your moves but also know the cards their teammate would play? It made for a rather quick and unfair game.

"Are we sure we have to play fifteen hundred?" I asked. "Isn't there some other game we could play? Something. . .I don't know, more fun?"

"What did you have in mind, Ferrios?" Fynn quipped.

"Uhm," I chewed on my bottom lip. I knew few card games, but I also wasn't willing to lose a game against Fynn simply because of his ability.

"Oh, I know a game we could play!" Sylvia said, countenance lit with mischief.

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