Page 84 of A Court Bright and Broken

“Oh, I’veheardof Prince Pharis Randalin.”

“All the ladies in the land have, I believe,” I quipped, though the acidic feeling in my belly didn’t match my light tone. Was even this human villager obsessed with him?

Her expression soured. “What I heard wasn’t good.”

The acid dissipated instantly.

“I see. Well, he’s not that bad,” I said. “He does have a temper—and perhaps an overactive libido—but we’ve always gotten on well. He’s my best friend, actually. My sister as well. How are your sisters?” I asked, suddenly remembering she had two of them. Younger ones, I believed.

Raewyn’s brows pulled together. “They are well… for now.”

“I know you’re eager to get home to them,” I said. “Don’t worry. Tomorrow I’ll bribe some guards as I did the jailer and arrange a carriage for you in secret. How did you get here? Surely you didn’t walk?”

“No, I took a carriage,” she said then glanced at the tall clock standing against one wall. “But it’s long gone by now.”

“Whatever you paid the driver to bring you, I’ll reimburse. The cost of the dress you lost as well.”

“I didn’t want your charity before, and I don’t want it now,” Raewyn said with a frown. “Though I do appreciate you getting me out of that dungeon tonight.”

“Of course. It was my fault you were there in the first place. My fault you were turned away from the ball and then injured trying to make your way home in the dark. If I hadn’t given you the invitation, you wouldn’t have come here in the first place.”

“No, you have been nothing but kind to me since the moment I met you,” Raewyn said. “My misfortunes of the evening are completely on me.”

“Well, you are gracious.”

The urge to pepper her with questions was strong. It was such a shock to see her again after so long, and I felt like I could talk to her all night.

I wanted to know everything about what she’d been doing since I saw her last. But her body was sagging on the settee, and her eyelids grew noticeably heavier by the second.

The saol water must affect humans more strongly than Elves. Interesting.

“You look tired. Are you ready to sleep, Firebug?”

She yawned. “Pardon me. Yes, I’m afraid I can’t stop myself. Thank you again for all you did for me tonight—and for the use of your lovely sofa.”

Her eyes closed as she patted the cushion with one small hand. The other hand curled up beneath her cheek.

“You’ll sleep in the bed,” I said.

Intending to carry her there, I rose, but she opened her eyes again and held out a staying hand.

“No, I won’t take your bed. You’rewaytoo big to fit on the sofa. It’s just right…” Another wide yawn. “...for me.”

Her sleepy slur of the words made me chuckle. She reminded me of one of the puppies Mareth would frequently bring home and carry around like a baby.

“I’m fine… right… here.” And she was out again.

I gave it a few minutes to make sure then slid my arms beneath Raewyn’s limp body and lifted her, carrying her to my bed and tucking her beneath the covers.

She settled in with a peaceful smile.

For a few moments, I stood over her, watching her dream. She was excruciatingly beautiful, even more so in the innocence of her slumber.

The candlelight bathed her face in a golden glow, highlighting her lovely eyebrows and lashes and nose and lips. Something stirred in me the way it had when I’d gotten my first good look at her in the marketplace.

For a moment, I considered giving into the urge to stretch out on the bed beside her—on top of the covers of course—then decided against it.

After the events earlier tonight, and now, seeing her again so unexpectedly, I felt charged with energy, nowhere near ready to sleep. Being too close to Raewyn in my current state would be a bad idea.

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