Page 69 of A Queen's Game
Elyse leaned forward, her lips locking with his and Brynden caressed her cheek, his lips soft.
“Hmm,” Brynden said, pulling back. “That’s what I thought.”
“What?”
“Alcohol. Couldn’t get through one afternoon without drinking?” He raised an eyebrow in speculation with a crooked smile.
“After last time, my father didn’t want to risk it, so he had me drink a glass or two,” she said as she avoided his gaze. She hated that he knew, hated that she even needed it to talk to him.
Brynden’s thumb brushed across her mouth as he cupped her cheek. “There’s nothing to worry about. Unless I’m so unbearable that you need to drink to get through the afternoon.”
“Gods, no. You are more than bearable. I just… get nervous. And you’re so perfect. And handsome.” What was she saying? “I enjoy your company and don’t want to mess this up.”
“There is nothing you can do to mess this up, goddess.”
Her breath snatched, not realizing how much she needed that reassurance. Elyse glanced at her lap then back at him as her smile grew.
The carriage came to a stop as Brynden kissed her again. “Remember to repeat the part about me being perfect and handsome to my friends. They’ll be thrilled that someone is feeding my ego.”
With one last kiss, he stood, exiting the carriage with an extended hand to Elyse.
Brynden escorted her to the staircase that led to the townhouse before them. Six stories high in white-washed stone clad in green vines, it looked like any of the homes along the street, except for the columns and ornamentations added to the outside, painted in crimson and gold like the carriage.
“May I welcome you to my home away from home, my goddess?” Brynden led her over the threshold, beholding the cavernous foyer.
Black tiles patterned the floor, meeting the dark wood wainscoting of the walls. A rug of crimson, black, and gold sprawled below them depicting scenes of elves on ships, of a minotaur howling.
A grand staircase curved from the second floor with a crimson runner lining the steps. Banisters of rich, dark wood lined the staircase, the ends capped with a carved bull head.
“Though I’d love to give you the grand tour now, it’ll have to wait until I show you your surprise upstairs.” Brynden winked as he strolled over to a living room, only partially separated from the entry.
Elyse followed him, though her gait slowed by the frustrating pain in her hip. Staying a step behind Brynden, she hoped he wouldn’t notice it again. “Surprise? What surprise?”
Black clawfoot couches and chairs centered the room, surrounding a low table of similar style. Brocade curtains ofcrimson hung from the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the courtyard. Bookcases lined the wall, complete with leather-bound volumes and trinkets. Elyse examined some closer titles.
“How would it be a surprise if I told you?” he teased with a bemused smirk, walking past the living room, aiming for a glass-paned door.
“Give me a hint then,” she said, tearing her eyes away from the books to follow.
“It’s more of anexperiencethan an object.”
Elyse’s eyes grew wide. He didn’t mean….“Experience, as in physical? Physical, uh, touching?”
The smirk on his face grew into a full smile as he laughed. “Someone has quite the dirty mind. Perhaps wishful thinking led you to such a conclusion?” He took her hand as she approached. “As much as I would love tophysically touchyou, my surprise is not that.”
Brynden leaned in, kissing her on her cheek. “But let’s join my friends for a bit, so we’re not lying to your father.”
The afternoon sun greeted them as they stepped into the courtyard, the stone tiles continuing underfoot. Rose and juniper bushes lined the outdoor space and landscape beds broke up the tiles. Beyond a simple fountain, voices and laughter carried from deeper in the courtyard.
Brynden slipped his arm around Elyse as they approached three familiar males sitting on low couches around a table beneath a shaded pergola.
Lounged on one of two couches was a male with dark skin with black curly hair, the sides faded. His angular face had a full smile sitting over a square jaw, amusement dancing in his eyes. “There you two are. We were just taking bets on whether you two join us or head upstairs.”
In one chair nestled between the two couches sat a fair-complexioned male with blond hair. As they approached, hiswide-set eyes locked onto Elyse. She tried her best to avoid his invasive staring, feeling uncomfortable.
The last male sat in the other chair. Handsome, he had brown skin with a wide nose and eyes angled up to the outside. His dark hair curled loosely to his shoulders. He scowled at Brynden.
Brynden offered his hand as she sat on the cream-colored couch. “Yeah? And who’s losing coin today?” He sat beside Elyse, an arm draping on the back of her spot.
