Page 28 of Façade

“We could go on a walk.”

The last thing I wanted was to stroll the garden with my husband, but the courtship had been my idea, leaving me no reason to reject his offered arm. His touch warmed my chilled skin as he tucked my hand around the crook of his elbow.

He frowned. “Your hands are cold. Where’s your shawl?” He seemed genuinely concerned, another likable trait to aggravate me.

I lifted my chin. “Perhaps I like the cold.”

But my stubborn protests were in vain, for he was already removing his cloak to drape around my shoulders with stiff albeit gentle movements, just as a suitor might. A blush warmed my cheeks to apply such a word tohim, a blush that seemed to extend to encase my strangely fluttery heart.

Instinctively I tucked his cloak around me, enveloping me in a rather pleasant scent that was distinctly Ryland. I peeked shyly up at him, but he seemed to be determinedly avoiding my eyes, his expression stoic save for the blush tinging his own cheeks. The man was a paradox—alternating from serious and suspicious to sweet and considerate. Though I suspected each husbandly gesture was done solely in compliance with my request for a courtship, even with knowing it was all a ruse to acquire the magic he wanted, his consideration still unsettled me…especially when the feelings each of his gestures created in me felt so real, which only made everything all the more confusing.

He mistook my confusion. “You don’t have to accept my cloak if you don’t want to.”

My grip tightened around it. “I want it.” Though I wasn’t entirely surewhy,considering the chill truly hadn’t been bothering me. He nodded once before averting his gaze, as if embarrassed.

“Now what? Should I…hold your hand again?”

My hand tingled, as if remembering that moment and itching to return to it, an inexplicable longing marred with fear. “No!”

His brows drew together. “Then how am I to court you…or have you changed your mind about desiring it?”

I rapidly shook my head. “Of course not. What wife doesn’t want to be wooed by her husband?” Though his intentions made the prospect dangerous, especially when every sweet gesture enhanced his already difficult-to-resist looks. The man was far better-looking than anyone had the right to be, providing him a tool that could easily seduce me into complying with his schemes if I didn’t remain on my guard.

“I agree.” He extended his hand and wriggled his fingers, an invitation for me to take it. Mischief had replaced his previous fluster, as if he viewed our strained interactions as nothing more than a game. Well, if it was a game he wanted, it’d most certainly not be one I lost.

“Very well, I suppose holding your hand will be agreeable.” I fought to keep my voice indifferent when inside my stomach was aflutter and my heart pounded with nerves.

He shrugged, his expression also neutral. “If you insist.”

I unhooked my arm from his and took his hand. Unlike yesterday when the strange emotions had startled me, this time I was prepared for it…at least IthoughtI was, but they were far more powerful than I’d remembered, not even muddled by my lingering resentment of his asking for my magic or the headache still throbbing against my temples.

Our courtship is just a façade. Over and over I silently repeated the necessary reminder, yet with the way my body responded, it didn’t seem to understand. If I didn’t know my emotions any better, I’d mistakenly believe that there was something vastly appealing about holding Ryland’s hand.

Silence settled around us like the floral breeze, but though we didn’t converse, our walk was surprisingly pleasant, a phenomena I never would have expected when I decided to marry my enemy.

I stole an uncertain glimpse at Ryland, curious whether his reaction mirrored mine or if he also noticed the heated ripples spreading from our clasped hands and the almost tingly energy the simple touch caused between us…but his expression remained stoic, even bored; if not for the hint of a blush staining his cheeks, I’d have thought him entirely indifferent. I felt a strange ownership of that blush, a victory I didn’t even know I’d been seeking…which only made our charade all the more confusing.

During a second stolen sidelong glance, his usual rigid expression had faltered, leaving his emotions more open, which allowed me a glimpse of the worry furrowing his brow, as if he bore his own invisible burdens. For the first time, I wondered if perhaps he too might be wearing a mask. I found myself battling between my desire to peel back his layers in order to uncover what he seemed so determined to hide and afraid of what I might find. If I prodded too much, he might try to uncover my own secrets, which were imperative to keep hidden.

Perhaps this pretend courtship wasn’t a good idea; I needed to spend as little time as possible with him, not more, even as I couldn’t deny the part of me that yearned to remain near him, as if his moment of comfort the other night, his unexpected apology, and his current grip around my hand were gradually softening the heart I’d determinedly hardened against him.

I was beginning to think that perhaps holding my husband’s hand wasn’t so bad when our walk circled back around to the front of the palace, where a guard awaited us with a missive, which he extended to Ryland. He hesitated, as if not wanting to release me…but he eventually did and accepted the note.

He read it quickly before turning it to me. “My apologies, I must cut our time together short. I shall see you later.” He started to turn but paused, and after a moment’s deliberation, he brushed a kiss across the back of my hand before he left without another word.

I stared after him as he hastened up the steps leading to the towering front doors, my head spinning at the suddenness of his departure and the shadow of his lips, heat against my skin. My heart pounded long after he’d disappeared into the palace, just as it’d done when I’d encountered the intruder in the study…only this felt like a far different, more prevalent danger.

CHAPTER11

RYLAND

Tension, thick and palpable, permeated the air the moment I heeded Father’s summons and entered his study, robbing me of the opportunity to share the joyous news that the marriage he’d spent years arranging hadn’t fallen through like we’d previously feared but had been fulfilled.

I froze in the doorway upon noticing the grave set of Father’s mouth. “What is it? Has something happened?”

The apprehension knotting my stomach tightened at his weary sigh. “I’m afraid so.” He motioned for me to take the seat across from him, but even after I’d shakily settled he only continued to study me, a lengthy silence that only increased my anxiety.

Finally he spoke. “As you’re aware, I left for Estoria in hopes of persuading the king and queen to reconsider our previous engagement contract between our two kingdoms.”

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