Page 38 of Between Realms

His eyes widen. “How did you know how to do all that?”

“I thought you knew. Isn’t that why you had me inspect the blade?”

“Knew what?”

“Merlara is a swordsmith. I’ve been working in her foundry since I was old enough to fetch her tools. She had me test out the balance of a blade when she didn’t have enough time. Was she not supposed to allow me to do that?”

“That’show you earned your callouses. A foundry?” Jaden says in awe. He goes over to his desk, retrieves a small bundle, and opens it, revealing the dagger I carried while traveling. “Does that explain why you had this in your pack?”

The guilt of possessing an illegal weapon slams into me, and I stagger backward as if I can separate my connection to the crime. “I… uh…” What will he do to me since I brought a dagger to the royal courts?

“You used this on the ghouls in Crowland.” Jaden’s voice is steady and without emotion. “What else were you planning to do with it?” He stalks toward me slowly, his calculating gaze never leaving my face.

“I only brought it to survive on the road. And I almost didn’t survive it.Twice.” My eyes fill with tears. He has brought me here to confront my crime, not to pick out books. He was letting me drop my guard so he could surprise me now.

Will he have Eldrin execute me?

“I meant no harm to any of you. I swear it!”

“You didn’t plan on using it on Prince Eldrin? Or King Magnus?”

“Stars, no!” My mouth drops open. “I wouldneverhurt an elf. I didn’t even want to use it on the ghoul. I only brought it along because it scared me to travel alone. But I left it in the bathing room in my bag so you would know I meant no harm.” My eyes plead for him to understand. “Oakes told you I had it?”

“No. He hasn’t mentioned it. But I saw you with it myself during the attack in Crowland.”

“Oh, yes. I remember now.” I’d been half-dead and had forgotten that bit. I wipe my tears away and hang my head in defeat. “Are you going to have me executed?” My knees threaten to give out, and I sway.

“What?No!” Jaden rushes to hold on to me and keep me from passing out. “I never sensed you wanted to harm us. However, I would be an incompetent protector of the prince if I didn’t confirm your intentions. You were wise to leave it in your bag. Don’t worry, I won’t mention it to anyone.”

My eyes snap up to meet his. “Why are you covering my crime?”

“I don’t believe it is one.” Jaden shrugs. “Do you swear it was only for protecting yourself on the road?”

“Yes. Completely.” I nod vigorously, relieved to hear I am free from punishment.

Jaden studies my bouncing breasts in the bodice style dress and mumbles, “Eldrin is such an imp.”

I remember my bosom, ready to break free from its cage. I grasp my cleavage and spin around, embarrassed by my oversized breasts. Why can’t I have small elegant Elven breasts? “Oakes cinched me too tight. I can barely breathe. Can you adjust it, so I don’t pass out? And so I’m not falling out of this absurd thing?”

With a light trace of his fingers, Jaden brushes my long, honey-brown hair off my back and over my shoulders. His heated touch sends a shiver down my spine, followed by goosebumps.

He asks, “Are you ticklish?”

I steady my breathing as I hear the tie of my lacing coming undone, reminding myself I can’t get excited, or he will smell it on me. “I don’t know if I am.”

He chuckles and asks skeptically, “Youdon’t know?”

Why am I making the elves laugh?

Am I something to poke fun at, or is my innocence funny to them?

Still feeling raw after being confronted about the dagger, I don’t enjoy his laughter.

As he skillfully finishes adjusting my bodice laces, tears form in my eyes. I say with a quaver in my voice, “No, I don’t know.”

Jaden hears my sadness and leaps around to face me. “What’s wrong?” His hands cradle my jaw, and his heat and strength pour into me.

After a second to process his sudden movement, I sniff. “It’s… well, no one has touched me much since I was an infant. Elves aren’t physically demonstrative, as far as I have known with my keeper, Merlara.” I suck in a quick breath. “It’s been overwhelming the last few days with the three of you. Oakes and his healing. Eldrin and his exploration. And you—just holding my hand stirs up all kinds of new emotions and unfamiliar physical reactions which I don’t know how to interpret or how to react. It seems my confusion and inexperience amuses you.”

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