Page 44 of By Mistake
Oresti drew to a halt in front of him, once more within touching distance."I understand."
Those eyes drew him in, shifting from jewel green to brilliant red, mouth curved in a wicked little smile that seemed to sayI dare you, and even with Andrus right there already settling into his heart, Oresti couldn't deny he wanted to dance in the flames that Shimari teased him with.
Shimari huffed softly in amusement and turned to look at Andrus."Naughty, naughty, little—"
A knock at the door cut off the rest of the sentence, regretfully, but Oresti would definitely be bringing it up again soon.
Shimari opened the door and in swept Alina, beautiful and commanding as always.
Andrus rose to his feet and bowed."Your Highness."
Princess Alina swept a gaze over him."So you are the Lord Bothwell I've heard so much about.I can see why Oresti is so smitten."
"I will choke you with your own hair ribbons," Oresti hissed.
"Empty threat," Alina replied breezily."I have the list for you."She shoved a piece of paper against his chest, forcing him to take it, then swept over to sit down on the sofa, dragging Andrus with her."Latasha told me all about you."
"The pair of you are relentless," Oresti said with a sigh, not taking his eyes off the list as he moved to share it with Shimari."Don't be a brat."
"That's rich coming from you, the biggest brat of them all," Andrus retorted.
Alina laughed, and took Andrus's hands in her own, leaving the poor man looking terrified.To be fair, most people were either terrified or turned on or both when Alina gave them her full, direct attention."You're delightful.Anyone who can so easily put Oresti in his place is fine by me.Most of them fawn and simper and flutter their lashes and agree with everything he says—or, with the older ones, expect him to be awed they would deign to give him their attention.When everyone knows that Oresti is the prize of the decade."
Oresti heaved another loud, pointed sigh.He knew his siblings meant no harm, but the constant jokes did wear thin sometimes.Not that they were wrong.He'd always avoided the marriage market because that was precisely how it felt: like a market, and he was a prime head of cattle to be fought over."I cannot tell you how thrilling it is to constantly be described like a choice steer at market."
"Don't be ridiculous, Ori, we all know you're a bull.Or do you not read all the lewd notes begging you to give various lords and ladies lots of children?"
Shimari laughed, loud and bright, as Oresti glared at his sister, face flushed scarlet."Stop that!And you shut up."He jabbed Shimari in the stomach, hard enough he did actually stop laughing."I'm going to hie off to Shadowrock and become a monk if this abuse continues."
"You'd get bored within a week," Shimari said."Not nearly enough of other people's business to pry into and manage."
Oresti threw up his hands."Does anyone have anything nice to say about me?"
Andrus rose and went to him, resting his hands on Oresti's chest as Oresti happily slid his arms around Andrus's waist."If I didn't find your overbearing ways charming, I wouldn't be here right now.And I promise I don't see you as a bull.Anyway, I don't have the parts to provide children, so I hardly need you for all of that."
"I'm not sure that was saying anything nice, exactly, but I'll take it," Oresti said with a sigh before kissing him softly.When they drew apart, he pointed the hand still holding the paper at his sister."Go away."
"I'm not going anywhere."Alina stole the cup Oresti had been using to pour herself a cup of tea."What are we going to do about the people on those lists?"
"Have them discreetly protected," Oresti said, eyes lingering on Andrus as he resumed his seat."Limit the servants who attend them, keep it to as few as possible.I doubt any of them would be willing to leave the city until session is called."
"They might have before rumors started flying that the uncatchable prince himself had finally been caught.No one is going to miss a second of that."
Oresti sighed again."I have reached my limit on the mockery today, could we please stop?"
"I apologize, of course," Alina replied."I wasn't mocking that time, though.I sincerely meant it: the city could be on fire and people would still remain to see what happens between you and Lord Bothwell."
"You may as well call me Andrus."
Alina beamed at him."Andrus, then.So charming in your soft, gentle way.Nothing like our loud, brash family."
"What will it take to make you leave?"Oresti asked through gritted teeth."You're already married, stop cozying up to my lover."
"We both know that lovely though he is, he is not to my taste."
Oresti rolled his eyes."Anyway, bodyguards, set servants.If they won't leave the city, then at least try to limit them to the palace.Dubiously safe, as that's where the other two have died, but it does limithowthey can be killed."
"I'll attend it," Alina replied, and finally stood with a last squeeze to Andrus's shoulder."Welcome to the family.I promise we will mostly behave."
