Page 35 of Enchanted Kingdom
“Hey.”
I spun to find Prince Keiran, hands in his pockets, looking far too handsome for his own good.
I bowed. “Your Grace.”
“Walk with me?” he asked.
“Of course.”
He led me to what appeared to be a large window but was actually a door that opened out onto a beautiful balcony. I didn’t know how many others he had brought out here, and in the moment, I didn’t really care; the stars were breathtaking.
“No sparkles or lights tonight, and yet somehow you still shine,” he said gently.
I looked around before answering, making sure no one was eavesdropping. “Well, since I’m friends with a prince now,Keir, could you please not have us wear yellow again? It doesn’t suit me.”
He closed his eyes. “Say it again.”
“It doesn’t suit me?”
He opened his eyes to cock his head at me. “Say my name. Please.”
He looked as if, well, as if he might actually want to kiss me. And for once, I wondered how good he’d be at it.
“Keir,” I whispered, giving in so I didn’t end up kissing a prince who was surely kissing his harem of women at his disposal.
“Thank you,” he smiled. “And for the record, I think the yellow very much suits you. How are you tonight?”
I let out a long breath. “Better now that creepy Wallace is injured. Thank you for that, by the way. And for not just offing him as well.”
He snickered and took a step closer. “I missed your honesty all day. I actually think I crave it. And, by the way, if anyone makes you feel uncomfortable like that again, please just tell me, Jorah. I’ll handle it.”
I sighed.
“What?”
“You mean just guards or from the other women too? Because being from Nerede and being in this castle...”
He reached out to squeeze my hand. “It’s not easy. I get it. I cannot do much about the others, but I can protect you with guards that I do trust. Keep me informed of anything else amiss, even the other women if it gets to be too much, okay?”
I gave him a nod. “Okay.”
Of course it had to be that moment the king’s voice would interrupt us. “Oh, there you are.”
He had Aiyana on his arm. Aiyana, of all people. “Aiyana and I were just discussing that play at the castle last spring and I couldn’t remember all the details...”
With his back to his father, Prince Keiran mouthed to me, “Sorry.”
I gave him a bow as I was supposed to and wasted no time getting away from the king and Aiyana. Was Aiyana, cruel and mean Aiyana, the king’s pick for Keiran? And if she was, how could I even compete with that? Or the better question, did I even want to compete with that?
I went to the same window I found the first night that showed all the lights from the castle and stayed there for a few minutes, trying to calm down and breathe.
Renna and Prince Krewan walked by shortly after. I ignored Prince Krewan but smiled a real smile at Renna. She was far too good for His Sorry Arseness, but it looked like they were becoming close.
Just as they were about to turn toward the crowd of people, he brushed by me and leaned in. “So you do have some self-preservation after all.”
I was left staring at his back as they continued across the room. Did he mean because I fled from the king a few moments before? Or what was he talking about? And was that a compliment or the opposite? I wasn’t entirely sure.
Fortunately for me, shortly after, much earlier than the night before, we began to be dismissed for the night. I lined up at my spot, the last in line for Prince Keiran’s Assemblage. While I waited, I looked at a chandelier that was particularly exquisite. It looked like a fountain of sparkle and light. If I were good at drawing, I would draw it for Mother so when I got home, she could see what it was like.
