Page 35 of The Princesses of Ruin
They laugh as they walk away from us and I finally take a breath.
Alastair smiles in a very paternal way, despite my three years on him. “The affection of a woman is something to be cherished, not shied from.”
“Is that what it is?” I ask.
“Captain Alejandra is rakish, but not disingenuous. Her interest in you appears sincere.”
We turn and watch the women saunter away as the others in the room collect themselves.
“Whether that interest is to wed or bed you, I couldn’t say. But isolation in the frigid north allowed Lily and I to…well…plenty of time to get to know one another.”
I huff. “Stop playing matchmaker. We have a life-or-death situation to attend to.”
“Yes, but as my wife would say, appreciating the sun at night makes the dark easier to bear.”
I raise an eyebrow at him.
“Or you can stay in the dark. Whatever you prefer, my friend.” Alastair shrugs and trudges away. “As long as we save the world.”
Chapter thirteen
Zane
“Do not allow the younger Spiders near the palace,” I say as I carefully load a supply of blood potions for Scarlett into my bag.
“You’re repeating yourself,” Gareth says.
“It’s important.”
“I know.”
I grab a container of healing salve and wrap it in clean bandages, then stuff it next to the blood potions.
“The trade agreement with Seter and Wolfsheim is holding, but if they discover we’re gone, that will change. We need to have an appropriate reason to refuse any meetings until we return.”
Gareth follows me to the door. “It’s already worked out. We are on information lockdown for the final push against the queen. No one in or out of the city limits.”
“And food supplies—
“Sir, if I may.”
I stop in the cold stone hall, dim magus lights illuminating Gareth’s stern features.
“What is it?”
“You’re showing too much.”
Fuck, he’s right. I take a moment to collect myself and realize my idiocy. Gareth is my second for a reason.
“You have this under control,” I say.
“Yes, sir, I do.”
“When are you proposing to Cecillia?”
His face reddens and he tugs at his beard. “I’m not sure where you heard this rumor.”
I grab his shoulder. “Perhaps after the dark goddess’s destruction.”
