Page 71 of The Time Of Queens

“But I…” I tried to argue, but he stepped up to me and offered me his arm, making me look down at it suspiciously.

“Come now, Miss Williams, have I given you such cause to distrust me?” he asked, laughing. I frowned and decided to be honest.

“Well, you made it clear enough that you don’t like me, so yes, forgive me if I am not so quick to trust your intensions.”

He looked surprised by my honesty, until another grin emerged on his handsome face.

“Then I must apologise for giving you such an impression, for I assure you, I meant you no ill will, and I certainly don’t now… something I will prove, should you allow me to escort you to my brother,” he said, once more holding out his arm.

I couldn’t help but allow myself to be charmed by his words, as he certainly seemed sincere. So, I nodded and hoped I wasn’t making another mistake in letting him take me off somewhere… Maybe he intended to try and be rid of me himself.

“I assure you, my brother charged me with this task,” he insisted, making me release a sigh before placing my hand in the crook of his arm.

“Let us take the long way around, for it is a nice day for a stroll,” he said, leading me through the exit from the south portico and down the steps that faced the fountain.

“It is a beautiful piece, is it not?” he asked, making me look away and say a cautious,

“I suppose.”

“And are you familiar with the story of Perseus and Andromeda?” he asked, unknowingly sending me on a trip down memory lane, when Draven himself spoke about it.

“Yes, I am and therefore know better than to anger any Greek Gods,” I replied, as I knew the myth of when Cassiopeia boasted that her daughter, Andromeda, was more beautiful than the sea nymphs, angering the Gods who created them. Something that ended up with them demanding sacrifice for the offence, and how Andromeda ended up chained to a rock about to be eaten by a giant sea monster. That was until the hero, Perseus, a demigod rescued her.

“Ah but of course, for I knew you would be well educated,” he remarked, making me give him a wry look in return.

“What…? Even for a maid, you mean?”

“Ah, but I believe we both know you to be so much more than that, for why else would you have captivated my brother sointently? You are beautiful, to be sure, but I think we both know there is far more than just possessing a pretty face to catch the attention of my brother.”

I couldn’t help but tense in his hold, now panicking about what he knew.

“What… what do you mean?” I asked cautiously.

“Why, your obvious wit and intelligence in holding conversation, of course… what else could I mean?” he asked with a strange gleam in his handsome, ice-blue eyes. Naturally, I released a held breath, allowing myself to believe his words.

“You don’t need to keep up pretences with me, for I know you do not approve of his attention towards me,” I said, deciding that honesty was the only way forward with Vincent, as it was what he would respect the most. Although, it was true that my honesty was limited at best.

“That may have been in the beginning, but I have come to realise that there are some things even a brother should not meddle in.”

My face must have said it all, as he chuckled.

“Argh, I fear I have made a terrible impression on you.”

“So, what is this, you giving me your approval or something?” I asked in a sceptical tone.

“Think of this as my trying to make amends and asking your forgiveness for how I have acted. For I had hoped we could start a fresh, you and I,” he replied earnestly, surprising me.

“That’s nice of you, but I see little point in doing so,” I told him, deciding once again to be frank.

“Why is that?” he asked, genuinely curious.

“Because I am your brother’s maid and nothing more, nor do I ever intend to be.”

He laughed and scoffed.

“Then you don’t know my brother as well as you think you might, for he is quite tenacious, Miss Williams.”

Now it was my turn to scoff, as I admitted by mistake.

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