Page 98 of Knightfall
Connor spun me, and I was about to lean in and propose a long session of nakedness when Abbas cut in.
He bowed, as if he weren’t being a complete ass.
I smiled stiffly.
“May I, Your Highness? I have not had the opportunity to congratulate you,” the silk-tongued rat bastard said, pulling me smoothly away from my husband.
Connor just smiled and made his way off the dance floor.
I turned to face Abbas and curtsied. “Thank you, for your congratulations.”
He studied my face. “You are very attached to your knights.”
The observation made me wary. “They are excellent men. I’m honored to be their wife.”
He tilted his head, allowing his raven black hair to sweep his shoulder. He wore a loose white shirt and fitted breeches tonight. But he’d long ago tossed his vest and jacket aside. He was hardly decent for a ball. His tattoos were clearly visible through the thin material of his shirt, which gaped open scandalously at his chest, allowing the sculpted middle of his pecs to peek through. His beard was oiled and sleek and looked soft.
“You’re certainly going all out in your attempt to seduce my sister,” I raised a brow as he led me through a slow spin. I gestured at his shirt.
“Are you certain it’s your sister I’m trying to seduce?” Abbas whispered as he pulled me back in.
My eyes jerked up sharply and I struggled to keep my face neutral as I studied his. “You’re here to court my sister. You’d ruin a potential alliance?”
“If I were to join your knights, it would simply be a different means of alliance.” He was utterly calm as he spoke, utterly confident. His eyes stayed on mine, measuring my reactions. His dark, enchanting eyes didn’t waver.
My heart thumped at this turn. Out of all the possible motives for Abbas’ visit, I’d never imagined this.
Quinn, get Connor and get over here. I want to know his intentions and thoughts.
I watched my knights exchange a look and then each latch on to a female courtier and step back onto the dance floor. My tone when I looked back up at Abbas was calm and measured. “You come for my sister, and yet you proposition me. Does that not make your intentions duplicitous?”
“Ah. You mistake my father’s intentions for my own.”
“You’d defy your father?”
He shrugged a shoulder and the corner of his mouth quirked up. “He desires an alliance with Evaness. I … desire you.”
Shock rolled through like an oceanic fog. It clouded my thoughts. “This … is unexpected.”
Suddenly a squirrel appeared on top of Abbas’ head. It held a pair of nut in its hands and swung down from Abbas’ hair to shove the nuts into his mouth.
I couldn’t swallow my laugh quickly enough.
Abbas’ eyes tightened.
“I’m sorry. So sorry. Quinn is making me see things.”
“The mind-speaker?”
“Yes. He can make me see things sometimes.”
Abbas grew intrigued. “And what did he show you just now?”
I took a deep breath. But truth was easier than inventing a lie on the spot. “A squirrel. Shoving its nuts in your mouth.”
Abbas’ chest shook in quiet laughter. “He doesn’t like my proposition. Luckily, he has no say.”
Two squirrels appeared then. One on either of Abbas’ shoulders.
