Page 57 of The Heir's Bargain

Moris pounded his fist against the oak table like a child cheering about dessert.

Once recovered, Bernadette stood and wiped a finger beneath her eye. She said something to Fynn and then patted him on the shoulder before giving her back to him and returning to her wild movements.

"What did she say?" Moris asked once Fynn returned.

"She said that uhm. . ." Fynn scratched the back of his head as he sat, "Crown Prince or not, I wasn't her husband's type."

Moris' head fell onto the table, muffled laughter spilling from his lips.

It was stupid.

So utterly stupid, but also such a Moris thing to ask someone to do. Borderline awkward and weird, yet harmless at the end of the day. Sylvia and I exchanged glances and then burst into laughter, joining Moris.

Soon, Fynn had joined in too.

Chapter 13

FYNN

After three pints of ale, I had lost count of how many I drank. Enough that my tongue was now as loose as ever. And maybe that was how I ended up spinning Sylvia around the tavern while avoiding the tables and patrons as best as possible in the crowded tavern.

The ale twirled in my stomach, filling my veins with a warm buzz. While ale was still not my drink of choice, my feet were lighter, and the rush of thoughts was almost nonexistent. It was a nice change of pace from the usual establishments I frequented.

"She's a good one, you know."

"Hmm?" I mumbled, leaning closer to Sylvia to hear over the band.

"Ferrios—she's one of the good ones."

"Do you mean to imply that I am not, Larpos?"

Sylvia narrowed their eyes at me. "That remains to be determined."

I spun Sylvia around, the narrowed gaze disappearing just as a grin appeared.

When they faced me again, they said, "If you ask me, she can be cold and closed off at times, but she's got a big heart."

"Does she?"

Sylvia nodded. "And she's clearly smitten with you."

"Oh?" Laughter threatened to spill from my lips.

Dani was definitely not smitten with me. If anything, she was annoyed that she had to pretend to be in a fake relationship with me tonight when she hadn't expected to.

At least Dani was doing a good job selling it if Sylvia thought she was smitten.

"Oh, come on, now," Sylvia said, slapping me lightly in the chest. "That royal education had to teach you a thing or two."

"It sure did. Ask me anything about Pontia's history or give me an equation to solve, and I'll answer it. No problem," I said with a wide smile.

Sylvia snorted. "Perhaps you are dafter than you let on. I see the way you look at each other as if you have a secret you're hiding."

The back of my neck prickled, and I almost missed a step, nearly tripping over my feet. I reached for the thread to Sylvia's mind, but it was as wobbly as my feet and slipped through my grasp.

I should have considered the possible repercussions when I asked for another pint. But at this point, if anyone was questioning mine and Dani's ruse, they wouldn't even remember it come morning.

"You two think you're so slick, but I see through your little smirks and side-eye glances. This courtship of yours started a long time ago, didn't it?"

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