Page 103 of A Game of Veils

He shoots me a half-hearted glower and sets down his nearly empty teacup. “All I’m trying to say is that if I can make up for it, I will.”

My smile softens. “Everything I’ve seen of you tells me you’ll keep that promise.”

Something in Bastien’s face shifts. He stares at me for just a moment, his dark green eyes lit with a hunger I don’t totally understand.

Then he cups my cheek and leans in to kiss me.

It’s not at all like last night’s fervid encounter with Lorenzo. Bastien’s mouth moves against mine with a tender intensity, as if he’s charting the texture of my lips, the hitch of my breath, the skip of my pulse—making a cartography of who I am and where I fit into his life.

And into his embrace. He lets go of my hand to slide that arm around my waist, tugging me closer.

Even as I kiss him back, guilt tickles through the heady rush of desire. I was just kissing Lorenzo last night. I let Raul kiss my neck the same afternoon.

What kind of wanton am I becoming?

It isn’t as if these men could believe our encounters will lead anywhere meaningful, though, is it? They’re not expecting any kind of commitment or exclusivity.

They all know why I’m here—they know the outcome of the trials. In the space of a week, I’ll either be dead or married to Marclinus.

It’s hard to think their interest is even all about me. I know how much they hate the imperial family. I’ve heard the way Raul compares what he can offer to Marclinus’s groping.

If I’m getting some kind of momentary escape from my fate with them, they’re getting the satisfaction of seducing their tormentor’s bride-to-be at the same time. We’re all pursuing something more than just attraction.

If they don’t feel guilty about it, why should I?

My uncertainty dwindles, but it doesn’t fade away completely. My heart is still at risk, aching more with every ardent caress.

I can’t tumble so far into this escape that I won’t find my way back out to accomplish what I’m here to do.

I must tense up a bit, because Bastien eases back to meet my gaze. As much as I know I need to extricate myself, the thought of outright rejecting him sends an even sharper twinge through my chest.

I touch his face. “We’ll just keep looking out for each other.”

His flicker of a smile accepts both my boundary and my statement. “Then I’d better let you get back to the gardens before Marclinus wonders where you’ve disappeared to.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Aurelia

When Rochelle finds me on my way to luncheon, her hands fly straight to the ribbons at my waist for a hasty adjustment.

“What have you been doing?” she murmurs. “I had these tied perfectly before breakfast.”

I restrain a grimace and pitch my voice even lower than hers. “His Imperial Highness had some fun teasing all ‘his’ ladies during this morning’s activities. Thank you.”

As she eases back, I shoot her a quick smile. “How have you been doing? Are you getting on in the servants’ quarters all right?” We didn’t have an opportunity to talk openly this morning because Melisse was seeing to my hair and powder while Rochelle sorted out my clothes.

Rochelle laughs softly. “I mean, it’s certainly different from my usual chambers. But my father won’t lower himself to coming there to speak to me, so at least I don’t have to face his disappointment, as much larger as it must be now.” Her own smile falters. “He probably wishes I’d died.”

I give her arm a reassuring squeeze. “I certainly don’t. He doesn’t get any say in your life now. But I do. Hopefully more say soon enough. Are you decently comfortable? Have you run into any problems?”

A little amusement comes back into Rochelle’s tone. “There were nights here and there at home when I ended up falling asleep in the stables, or out on the porch—a servant’s bed is cozier than that. So I can’t complain.” She pauses. “I think Melisse is annoyed that you’ve taken on a second maid, though.”

I frown. “Has she complained to you?”

“No, nothing direct. She just always seems irritable when she talks to me. Or she’ll give me the cold shoulder… Maybe I’m only imagining it.”

“I’ll keep trying to make sure I’m still giving her plenty of work too.”

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