Page 92 of Acedia

“Yeah, but they need our help,” Jade complained. “Just need a little nudge in the right direction, that’s all.”

“It’s romantic,” Cora added. “We’re just two little cupids, gently reminding the lovebirds that they belong together.”

Who were they talking about? Was there another secret romance brewing at court? There was always something going on. I felt sorry for whoever they were, having these two meddle in their affairs.

“I’m pretty sure Cupid sent arrows, not gentle reminders,” Meera countered.

“Love arrows,” Cora replied smugly. “Now, shh. Tallulah said he would be coming back this way any minute.”

Realization dawned slowly. Had they been talking aboutme? And Iris? There did seem to be a friendship brewing between them three of them, perhaps Iris had mentioned me in theirconversations. I wasn’t sure if I should be happy or nervous about that.

Then again, Cora had said something about lovebirds, hadn’t she? That seemed positive.

And I was Iris’sboyfriend now, so I’d like to think she felt at least a little good about our relationship.

I made a show of noisily walking around the corner, too intrigued to wait a moment longer.

Meera gave me a slightly rueful look, and I wondered if she knew I’d been listening in. She was more observant than any of us had ever given her credit for.

“Sorry, I just remembered I have somewhere to be,” she said, clearly wanting no part of this conversation.

“Where?” Jade challenged, planting her hands on her hips and giving Meera a defiant stare. I doubted she would have with anyone else, but Meera had something of a maternal role in Elverston House.

Meera’s lips twitched as she backed away. “Somewhere.”

Jade frowned before turning to face me. “Hello. Your Highness,” she added after a moment’s pause.

“Just Damen is fine,” I assured her, crossing my arms and leaning my shoulder against the wall.Don’t laugh, you might offend them.

The corridor was empty at present, and interestingly, there was nothing in their scent or body language that indicated they were uncomfortable being alone with me, which was nice. I’d sort of expected that from Cora, who’d been curious and enthusiastic about the shadow realm from the moment she arrived, but Jade had been extremely wary and hadn’t even ventured inside the palace until recently. It was a great sign that she was more settled here already.

“Were you looking for me?” I asked innocently.

Jade gave Cora a look that clearly saidyou tell him, though I couldn’t interpret the rest of the silent conversation they had with their eyes. I watched it with interest until they came to their resolution, though. Humans had such expressive faces.

“Okay,” Cora began, blowing out a long breath and clasping her hands in front of her. “When are you going to propose to Iris again?”

I coughed. “Shetoldyou about that?”

I’d gotten the impression that she didn’t want anyone to know, since neither Tallulah nor Meera had mentioned it, and they were growing increasingly comfortable reminding me to my face of all my flaws.

“Yes,” Jade replied, finding her voice. “And she seems to think that it would be better to settle for this middle ground you’re currently hovering in where you’re sleeping together—”

“She told youthat?”

“—but not talking about the future, just in case the answer is something she doesn’t want to hear. And she obviously lo—I mean,likesyou and hopes that it will turn into something more but she feels bad about rejecting you even though it’s totally your own fault for proposing the minute you met her which almost anyone would find terrifying.”

“I still think it’s romantic,” Cora mumbled.

“Anyway, things have changed now and you should propose again,” Jade finished, crossing her arms and glaring at me as though she was daring me to disagree.

“This really feels like a conversation I should be having with Iris.”

“But you’re not,” Jade pointed out. “And while we did remind her that she can propose to you and she seemed open to the idea, I kind of got the impression that she’d prefer if you did it. Maybe she was one of those little girls who always dreamed about weddings or whatever, I don’t know.” Her words had gottenquieter and more mumbled as she’d finished the sentence, and the flush on her face was getting increasingly more pronounced.

Perhaps Jade had been one of those little girls who dreamed about weddings. Perhaps she was more whimsical than she appeared, and a difficult life in the Hunters had made her feel the need to hide that.

“So?” Jade demanded, tipping her chin up and finding her confidence again.

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