Page 63 of Deadwood
He crossed his arms. “You should be glad it was me who came to you first and not him.”
I unconsciously rubbed my arm as a chill worked its way over my body. “I don’t see the problem. It’s the same arrangement we’ve had.”
“It’s not me who has the problem with it.” He took a seat beside me, his shoulders hunched.
“Could’ve fooled me,” I mumbled before he continued.
“My brother is breathing down my neck, Auria. He thinks the image we portray here is important.”
I tilted my head. “Compared to any other place we’ve visited?”
“Deadwood has no rules. They do whatever they want, whenever they want, and there are no consequences.”
Deadwood was lawless? But that couldn’t be possible, could it? Every kingdom, every town, was ruled bysomeone.
“Shouldn’t that mean we can lay off the theatrics for a few days?” I asked. Not that we’d been showing our engagement off much to begin with. Aside from holding hands occasionally—only when it mattered—and looking like a perfect, happy couple in front of citizens that couldn’t care less, we’d been behaving more as acquaintances than anything.
“It means we need to look united.”
If what he said was true, then why had Bowen checked the binding on my foot like he cared? Why had Siara brought me clothes, and Flynt acted polite? Why give us supplies, or even refuge, if they had no obligation to? No leader to look good in front of?
“We are,” I defended.
He arched a brow. “By you being in this house alone?”
“I asked for the guards to be placed next to me, and they are.”
He released a sigh, subtly shaking his head. “Did you request they keep me and Paxon far from you, too?”
“No,” I answered hurriedly. “No, Lander. That’s just how it worked out. Besides, you two are right next door. If anything happens, someone will hear.”
He scoffed, but I had no energy to fight.
“It’s been a long couple of days, okay? I’m just… I’m tired.” I ran a hand down my face for emphasis, my eyes heavy. With the lack of sleep and his high emotions, we’d only bicker back and forth about it, getting nowhere.
He ran a hand down his jaw. “Alright.”
He stood to leave, placing a hand on his stomach like he was going to straighten his coat, but paused.
The act reminded me of what Siara had asked. “They’ve invited us to dinner.”
His gaze froze on me. “Dinner,” he repeated in a monotone voice.
I dipped my head in a nod. “With their…” What even were they to each other? Remembering what Siara had said of Raiden, I filled in, “Friends.”
“That’s what they were here to talk to you about? Adinner?”
I nodded again.
He shook his head, but not in answer, more so in thought. I was about to open my mouth to explain further—as if there was anything else to say—when he said, “I’ll talk to Paxon.”
He turned, walking away, but before he could slip out the open door, I spoke up. “I apologize if I caused any problems.”
He offered me a closed-lip smile, the wind rustling his hair, then left, tugging the door shut behind him.
I hadn’t seen him act like that for the entirety of this trip, and now all of a sudden, he wanted to pretend we were more than what we agreed. It made no sense. But then again, not much did lately.
CHAPTER 21
