Page 26 of A Promise of Peridot
Griffin leaned forward with intent. “Arwen, who’swe?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but the man beside Trevyn released a hearty chuckle. “If Trevyn doesn’t take half your stacks next hand, I will.” He had a nose that protruded from his face like a doorknob and smiled wide as he smacked Kane on the back with a grin.
Kane’s answering laugh sounded suspiciously like a grunt of pain. “And this is Rhett.” He turned to the game leader at the headof the table. “And, Crawford, this is my healer, Lady Arwen. Ryder here is her brother.”
My smile was wary as I greeted him.
Crawford only turned to Ryder with a menacing grin. “Unfortunate to have a sister that looks such as this one, no?”
Ryder and I made twin faces of disgust. “Well.” I turned to leave. “Have a good night.”
“Lady Arwen,” Prince Fedrik called. “Don’t let Crawford’s poor manners end your evening. It’s just that our finery suits you so well, he’s blinded by it.”
I felt heat rise along my neck, and while I didn’t want to stay, I still smoothed down the layers of thin white cotton on my dress and muttered my thanks.
Fedrik’s golden cheekbones lifted at my words. “I think it’s all of us who should be thanking you.”
Kane slammed his cards down on the table. “I fold.” He stood, his chair scraping across the wood floor forcefully. “Lady Arwen, a word?”
“What’s happening in there?” Mari’s singsong voice echoed through the café on the other side of the doorway.
Griffin’s eyes cut to mine and narrowed dangerously. “Get her out of here.”
I felt my brows pull together in confusion. The rest of the table, which had continued playing their game despite my interruption, stalled to peer at him as well.
“Relax, Commander. The ladies are leaving,” Kane said before crossing the room to me and wrapping a gentle yet firm hand around my waist. “After you.”
But Mari bounced through the door, plopping down next to Ryder in one of the two remaining open seats at the table. She stillhad a dollop of lemon custard on her elbow, but it seemed that eating had sobered her up a bit.
“What are we playing? I love cards.”
Kane and Griffin released simultaneous groans. Crawford feasted his eyes on Mari’s every movement as if she were a present wrapped in a bow just for him. Even sweaty and covered in lemony sugar, Mari was a vision.
Griffin ground his jaw shut. I could almost hear his teeth fusing together. “Wearen’t playing anything, witch.” He turned his concrete glare to me. “You both need to scram. Now.”
“Or you can stay, Red,” Ryder said to Mari, his expression eager. “I can teach you how to play.”
Mari’s eyes shone at his offer, and my stomach fell. The alcohol had all but fully left my system and a numb fog was beginning to cloud my mind once more. That frivolously stuffed bed was calling to me.
“Why such a killjoy, Commander?” Trevyn asked, sipping his overflowing mug of ale and spilling a bit on the fabric of the table. “The more the merrier!”
“Indeed,” Crawford drawled. “And this one seems less shy.”
Despite the urge to sneer, I couldn’t help but look at Mari with envy. She was having the night of her life. Laughing, drinking, about to play cards with handsome, affluent men without a care in the world. I already missed who I had been when I was filled with drink and dancing until my feet were raw.
And I could feel Kane’s hand on my ribs like pure heat.
“No, Griffin’s right, it’s past this one’s bedtime.” Kane gestured at me, shrugging in faux disappointment, and sending humiliation twisting in my chest. He wasn’t my keeper.
“Actually, I think we’ll stay.”
Kane’s eyes were spears as I slipped from his grasp. The single look alone was enough to light my blood on fire. I nearly hummed.
“Arwen—”
“King Ravenwood,” Prince Fedrik interjected. “Isn’t Lady Arwen just about old enough to decree her own bedtime?” I bit back a smile. My savior—the prince who despised Kane. “Surely you can’t be so afraid of gambling with a woman? I promise not to heckle when she takes you for all you’re worth.”
Trevyn and Rhett chuckled, Ryder already teaching Mari the rules of the game. He halted only to wipe lemon cream off her bare arm with a single outstretched finger, and Griffin held his cards so tightly I could have sworn they ripped at his thumbs.
