Page 81 of Enchanted Kingdom
Owen just stood there a minute, looking confused.
“What?” I snapped. “I am going to change and try to sleep. You can swap with Easton. I’m going to go to bed. Promise.”
He ran a hand down his face. “I’m just trying to figure out why.”
I squinted. “I don’t know why. Take it up with him.”
He cocked his head. “Okay. Are you sure you don’t want me to stay? In case he shows up?”
I shook my head. “I can tell him to leave myself.”
He gave me a nod. “Of that I have no doubt. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry, Jorah. I don’t find joy in seeing all of you vie for either prince’s affections like this.”
My eyes were stinging at his words, yet again realizing how messed up this entire situation was.
And before I could say a word, Owen was there hugging me. “I’m sorry, Jorah.”
He’d never hugged me before, but I found it was kind of nice. He was warm and smelled nice. “I’m sorry I’ve been bratty to you lately.”
“I deserved it,” he whispered. “You were right.”
And with one more gentle squeeze of a hug, he left.
I headed out to the balcony for some fresh air. I looked for the wolf but didn’t see him as I took long steady breaths of crisp air into my lungs. It was freezing out on the balcony without a jacket at this time of day, the autumn chill creeping into Wylan, but I was grateful for something to focus on other than the hurt I felt.
“Hey.”
I didn’t turn around. I didn’t do anything but stand there breathing the chilled air and taking deep breaths. “Hi.”
“I’m sorry I ignored you all night,” Keir said softly from the doorway.
“That is not why I’m upset, Keir.”
“Okay. I’m going to put up a barrier. Then will you please tell me why you are?” His voice didn’t sound mad or defensive, it was calm and rational and that seemed to infuriate me even more as his blue magic crackled around us in a semicircle of magic.
His magic nowhere close to touching me, I turned around, leaning against the balcony railing. “Exactly how many of us have you kissed, Your Grace?”
He stood there. He just stood there, not saying anything.
“How many?” I repeated.
He closed his eyes and let out a sigh. “Do you really wish to know?”
I tipped my head back and groaned.
He winced. “Look, what I am about to say is going to make it worse, but just hear me out, okay?”
I gave my head a shake. “Great. Can’t wait.”
He took a deep inhale. “If I wasn’t kissing anyone, since no one knows about these little trips I make to you, then it would look suspicious.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. “So poor Prince Keiran, kissing his way through the consorts to cover his tracks?”
He shook his head. “No. It doesn’t excuse it. I’m just telling you that I am walking a very fine line here.”
“And I’m telling you that I get to be your dirty little secret while you get to kiss your way through the rest of us and it feels cheap, Keir.” Tears stung my eyes.
He strode forward. “You arenotmy dirty little secret.”
