Page 173 of A Queen's Game
“What are you—”
“And I don’t care,” she said, cutting him off. “The lies are yours to keep. There are plenty of odd things about you, and Sylas, and the Chorys Dasians. Information conveniently left out, like your age or being betrothed before me. Too many things that you are unwilling to explain.”
“Then let me explain—”
“We don’t have the time.” Elyse looked over her shoulder at the approaching Keyain, Marietta, and the rest of their entourage. “Perhaps later, but just be aware that I know you’re lying.”
“Okay,” Brynden whispered as he kissed her once more. “Then be aware that I will win your heart today, Elyse.”
Despite her better judgment, her heart fluttered with the words. She knew she shouldn’t get her hopes up, that somehow he could explain it all in the span of one evening and earn her forgiveness; yet, that didn’t stop her heart from aching for Brynden. He was a future that could never be.
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Marietta
“We’re going to be late,” Keyain said for the fifth time as they walked down the steps toward Elyse. In tow were a handful of guards, including Amryth, who looked like she wished to be anywhere else. Marietta hated that she worked while they enjoyed themselves.
“Do you wish to be down there during that?” Marietta gestured to Elyse, locking faces with the dreamy Lord Brynden. Gods, even from afar, she could see how attractive the elven man was, a bit boyish for her taste, but the cheekbones and cocky demeanor worked for her. To think such a male wrote filthy letters as well. Elyse was a lucky lady.
Keyain bristled at her arm. “I wasn’t expecting them to drag out their reunion this long. If I did, then I wouldn’t have waited at the gate. I’d rather them be uncomfortable with no privacy than late to dinner.”
Marietta patted his bicep. “Perhaps you’re feeling cranky because you wore a jacket when it’s the middle of summer.” The day’s heat was near stifling, even as the sun dipped low overSatiros. His green jacket with gold embroidery looked sharp on him, but at what cost?
“I thought having a thinner undershirt would help, okay?” he snapped, followed by a sigh.
Her gaze drifted to his dress shirt—again. Tight to his body, the thin white silk hid nothing underneath. “Well, at least I’m enjoying it. All the Satiroan women will swoon on the streets for Satiros’s greatest warrior and his abs,” she said with a flick of her brow.
“Quit mocking me.”
Marietta looked up at him with furrowed brows, her hand reaching to rest over his heart. “I’m not mocking—the shirt is making me swoon as well.” Her hand drifted down his chest and onto his hard stomach.
“Mar,” he warned, though a smile lined his lips, “not in public, okay?”
Marietta pulled her hand back. “You’re going to make me wait until tonight?” she said with a mocking pout. It became clear to Marietta that Keyain hadn’t had sex with anyone after they broke up, which was surprising. Even before his betrothal to Elyse, she had thought a war-hero-turned-minister could sleep with whoever he wanted.
“Get this out of your system now, please,” he said with a sigh. “I just want a nice dinner—no dirty comments or innuendos.”
Marietta thought back to the filthy letter riddled with innuendos and laughed to herself. Keyain was in for a treat. “There you go, taking away all my talking points before we even get to dinner,” she said with a dramatic sigh. “Always a pain in my ass.”
He smiled with his gaze fixed on her, at the phrase often said to him when they traveled around Enomenos together. “I already can’t wait to take that dress off you, so anydirty reminders might tempt me to end the night early,” he murmured, lowering his mouth to her ear.
Marietta batted him away, yet she liked the attention. Sure, Keyain was an ass, but she forgot how fun he could be. The banter and teasing were the basis of their relationship, and it had been easy to slip back into both. Though, during sex with Keyain, she still thought of the King or imagined they were Enomenos. What was the harm of pretending when she’d get the information to help the Exisotis?
“If that’s supposed to dissuade me, then find a better reason. Perhaps we skip the dinner altogether and you can strip this dress off me right now,” Marietta answered with a wink. Keyain rolled his eyes, his smile growing broader.
As they approached Elyse and Brynden, she couldn’t hide her smile. That morning, Keyain surprised her with the stunning gown. Lavender chiffon with a sweetheart neckline emphasized her chest, with sleeves that hung off her shoulders and pearls studded along the length of the dress. Heavy? Yes. Uncomfortable to sit in? Most likely. Was the dress worth it? Absolutely. Keyain had outdone himself.
“Satiros’s Greatest Warrior and the First Half-Elven Lady,” Brynden said, pulling away from Elyse. Marietta bit back her surprise, not realizing she had her own moniker. With a deep bow, he added, “A pleasure to share this evening with you both.” The lord stood back up, his arm hooking around Elyse’s waist.
“And you,” Marietta said, cutting Keyain off, causing him to bristle. “Glad to meet such a supplicatory male in the flesh.”
Brynden’s brows rose, his smirk deepening as he turned to Elyse. “I see you have shared my sacred texts with a friend.”
Elyse’s face turned a shade similar to her dress. “She was with me when Sylas delivered the second letter.”
Keyain sighed, his patience running thin. “Brynden,” he said, holding out his hand. “We can talk about this on the way to the restaurant. If we don’t leave now, we’re going—”
“To be late,” Marietta said with a wave of a hand. “If I hear you say that one more time, I will purposely make us late.” Keyain shot her a warning look before she continued. “Come, Brynden, tell me all about yourself. I’ve been dying to meet you.”
