Page 84 of Partnering with the Artist

“Is this a test?” I ask.

“No?”

A deep voice rumbles from further up the hall, “Why? Shouldit be?”

I squeeze Maelin’s hand as she stops, and we turn, toward a man who certainly doesn’t look like a nightmare come alive in the odd light of my lantern. Nope. Not even completely. I gulp. “N-no, sir.”

“Glad to hear it.” He passes me and touches a kiss to Maelin’s forehead. “Night, pumpkin. Sleep well, you two.”

I doubt I’m going to sleep much at all in this unfamiliar place with these unfamiliar fears devouring my mind.

That is, until the moment I’m in Maelin’s bed and her arms close around me.

Suddenly, with that, I’mhome.

Chapter 31

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Pre-wedding jitters.

Maelin

Breakfast ramen. With my parents. Because I am a blabbermouth.

I just couldn’t keep our ramen plans to myself, now could I? No, I had to yawn and say,Morning, Mom. Morning, Dad. Do you have an answer for us yet? We want to get ramen for breakfast,before I was even fully awake.

Zakery, also not fully awake, had the awareness to exhale a laugh and smile at me before inviting my parents to come with us.

So. Now we sit. Chatting amicably. Over ramen. While I learn that it was not actually my wallet keeping me from finishing two bowls all by myself. Shocked and astounded, I am.

Whimpering, because my tummy hurts, I cuddle against Zakery on our side of the booth. His grace with chopsticks amazes me almost as deeply as how bottomless his stomach is. He’s finished his own bowl and is working on my leftovers without breaking a sweat.

I am not allowed to use chopsticks. Once, in this very building, I tried to. One wound up on the floor, and Morana took the other away before—and I quote—it winds up in your eye.

Zakery has just secured and eaten half a boiled egg without dripping soup on his clothes.

I am all amazement.

When he switches his chopsticks to his left hand in order to comb his fingers through my hair,weare all amazement. Mymother, my father, and I together. It’s a shock a chorus ofoohsandaahsdoes not rise from us three while we behold the beauty and grace that is Zakery Bachelor.

Once he’s managed to contain his awe, my father clears his throat. “Young man,” he says, authoritatively.

Zakery freezes, and the edge of his masking smile softens his lips. “Yes, sir?”

“I’ve made my decision.”

Zakery’s breath catches as his smile falls. “Yes, sir.”

“No, you may not marry my daughter.”

Zakery’s body weeps, going limp where I’m clinging.

“Taylor and I would like to marry you instead.”

Mom, helpfully, sips her soup and nods.

“I…don’t understand.” Zakery looks between my parents, who are goons, and not allowed to steal my man, thank you very much. I will elope this very afternoon if they keep up this nonsense.

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