Page 57 of Bride of the Fae Prince

“That is a question, my love. There is a difference. I tolerated it before, but no more. I want athoughtfrom your brain. An opinion. An insight. An observation.”

I lower my brows. “This is a big mirror.”

He chuckles. “Another one. Or I’ll kiss you.”

“How many thoughts are you going to want? I might need to prepare them in advance.”

He laughs outright at that. “That is for me to know, and you to find out. Besides, I have no doubt that there is an abundance of thoughts floating around in this pretty head of yours.”

“If you overestimate me, you’ll only be disappointed.”

“It is impossible for me to be disappointed in you. Now, a thought or I will be forced to carry out my threats. I am nothing if not a man of my word.”

It is impossible for me to be disappointed in you.Something about that catches me off-guard, forcing my lips to part in surprise. I swallow the sudden lump in my throat and blink hard.

The awareness of Ash’s scrutiny prickles across my neck. When I look at him, he is already focused back on my hair, running the long strands between his fingers and drying them until they fall warm and soft against my back.

“I’ll help you out,” he says suddenly. “I’ll give you prompts. Here’s your first one:My husband is so. . . Now you get to fill in the blank. Some popular answers includehandsome, dashing, clever,andswoony.”

It surprises me so much that a giggle escapes my throat before I can stop it. Ash grins, giving my hair a gentle tug.

“Well, what shall it be?” he asks.

“My husband is so . . .” I trail off.Unexpectedly kind.“. . . tall.”

He pauses, considering, then shrugs. “I suppose that will work. You like tall, right?”

I flush. “Um . . .”

A roguish grin spreads across his face. He leans forward and presses a quick kiss to my shoulder, making me catch my breath. “Good.”

I blink rapidly, quickly hiding my gaze in my lap. His hands make one last stroke through my hair before he sweeps it all over my shoulder and stands. I look up just as he catches my shoulders and presses yet another kiss to the top of my head. “Done.”

Instead of leaving, he hesitates. His voice drops to a whisper. A whisper that isn’t ringed with irony or humor. A whisper that is almost painfully earnest.

“You are beautiful, Stella.”

Without another word, he straightens and leaves the chamber. I remain seated on the stool, staring in shock at my reflection in the mirror.

Chapter 23

The Prince

Stop flirting with thegirl,I tell myself as I leave the bathing chamber.And Mountains of Ildrid, stop kissing her! You’re asking to get hurt even worse than last time.

It doesn’t seem to matter how many times I tell myself these things. I build up my resolve, only to walk in and find her fresh from a bath. What’s a man supposed to do but kiss and flirt with her? And how am Inotto like her when she faces all of this with quiet practicality, gracious understanding, and endurance?

Truly, I just see those eyes, watch the color rise into her cheeks, listen to whatever unexpected thing she says, and my resolve crumbles. It justcrumbleslike a castle made of sand!

You’re pathetic,I tell myself as I rake a hand through my hair. I make my way to the table where breakfast has been laid out for the two of us, and for a few moments, I debate tossing a few scarpi biscuits down my throat and heading to my study. It would make it easier for me to like her less if I don’t spend so much time with her.

But I owe it to her to eat with her, and to wait until she’s ready. I tell myself that is the only reason I pull out a chair for myself and drop into it, staring at the covered dishes of food and the steam wafting out of the spout of the porcelain kettle.

“What is troubling you, Master Ash?” comes Edvear’s familiar voice.

I look up suddenly. “Troubling me?”

“You were scowling.”

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