Page 46 of Enchanted Kingdom
I shook my head. “No, Keir. No, I do not. I know nothing of court play and masks and what is real and what is not.”
He took a step closer, still smiling. “Well this is. You and me. This right here.” He gestured toward the door. “That was not.”
I tipped my head back at the sky. “Why are you smiling like that when I am frustrated, Keir? It’s not helping.”
He closed the gap between us and took my cheek in his hand. It caused me to quit breathing altogether. I couldn’t pinpoint if it was because he was Enchanted or because he was handsome.
“Because you care, Jorah. You care enough that I did walk in with her.Youare jealous.”
I supposed I definitely was, but he didn’t have to rudely call me out like that. But then the injustice of the situation came back to the forefront of my mind. Keir went blurry before me.
“Do you not care?” he asked. “Did I mistake that?”
I shook my head. “No, I do. You were right, but I am still so extremely frustrated that she was cruel to me, insulted me,attacked me, and yet she still gets to stay. And not only stay but come in with you like she owns the place.”
He closed his eyes for a moment though didn’t move his hands from me. “I know, sweetheart. It isn’t fair.”
“And if I would’ve attacked her...”
“You’d already be gone,” he finished.
He moved his hand from my face to grip my shoulders. “Listen to me, Jorah. This is a long game that is going to be drawn out over the months to come. It won’t be fair. It won’t be fun. And I’m sorry that it repeatedly makes you feel less than. Just know that I do not see you as less than. Not even a little.”
I nodded and swallowed down my tears. “Fine, now take me back in there.”
“What?Right now? But why?”
I took a deep breath. “Because I look moderately upset right now and Aiyana will think you said something to me to cause it.”
Keir’s head snapped back.“What?”
I gestured with my head for the door and took a step away from him. “Let’s go, Your Grace.”
He shook his head as he began walking towards me. “I thought you said you knew nothing of court play.”
I flashed him a smile. “I pick up things quickly.”
* * *
Keir was dismissingus by walking us to the door again, but this time he went from the front of the line to the back. Like a good, behaving little prince. Prince Krewan was doing the same out a different door.
“Jorah.” He said my name like a sigh. Like he was relieved to get to me.
“Your Grace,” I bowed before taking his arm.
“So,” he whispered. “No rage baking tonight?”
“I don’t think so,” I offered.
“So no late-night kitchen rendezvous?”
I shook my head with a laugh. “No. I have tomorrow to look forward to.”
He grinned. “I do wish I could go with you. Please know I’d rather be with you tomorrow.”
Because of the Savaryn families present or because of Aiyana specifically? I wanted to ask but wasn’t sure who could be listening in somewhere without my knowing.
At the door we just stood there a moment, neither wanting to say the words to force us to move.
