Page 64 of The Sovereign: Part One
She nodded.“Before you ask, no, I didn’t give it to him.Heacquiredit.”
I suppressed a laugh.“And?”
Bellam crossed her arms, her expression teetering between exasperation and reluctance.“He kept me up half the night talking.”
“And?” I prompted again.
She sighed, dramatic but not entirely put upon.“And it wasn’t bad.Actually, it was… nice.Entertaining, I mean.Just, because you know, he’s entertaining.”
I grinned.“Bellam Erel, are you saying youenjoyedtalking to him?”
“I’m saying,” she corrected, “that I haven’t decided if I despise himcompletely.”
I laughed, shaking my head.“Noted.”
Bellam waved a hand dismissively.“Enough about me.How was breakfast with Maxim?”
The ghost of a smile touched my lips as memories drifted through my mind: the easy conversation, the way the most ordinary moments with him felt like something significant, the way time slowed, as if the universe had conspired to give us just a little more.But there was also Maxim’s reaction to Joss: his possessiveness, the aggression, and treating Joss like a threat—none of which I could tell Bellam.
I couldn’t tell anyone.
“It was perfect,” I answered truthfully.“Until Joss showed up.”
Bellam closed her eyes, then quickly blinked a few times.“I’m sorry, what?”She leaned forward, incredulous.“Hewhat?That’s so out of pocket.It’s utterly outrageous to disturb you on a date, but after your Court Date?Has he completely disregarded all decorum?”
I hesitated for the briefest moment.“I don’t know, he definitely seems out of sorts.I’m a little worried about him.”
Bellam narrowed her gaze.“You’re nicer than me, Is.I would’ve lost my ish.Sovereign were undoubtedly staring.”
“I barely noticed.Maxim is a great distraction.”
An impish grin tugged at her lips.“Oh?How so?”
I lifted a shoulder in a delicate shrug.“He just… made it all okay.We ended up making a day of it.”
I didn’t mention the rule we had broken, the way the hours had passed in the privacy of my Sablestone, or how easy it had been to disregard the carefully laid structure we were expected to uphold.Some things were better left unsaid.
Bellam sighed.“You’re infuriating when you’re vague, you know that?”
I smirked.“Yes.”
She huffed but let it slide.“So, what’s on the agenda today?”
“We’re climbing Smith Rock.”The words left my mouth before I fully considered them, and immediately, I regretted it.
Bellam’s brow shot up.“Already?Isn’t it a bit soon for an outing?”
“It’s a guideline, not an infraction,” I defended.
She shook her head, though amusement danced in her eyes.“You, willingly bending a rule?That’s even more surprising than your nonchalant mention of venturing outside the walls.Maxim is certainly making an impression on you.”
“Speaking of,” I cut in before she could argue further, “I have to get ready.But we should all have lunch soon.Me, you, Lourdes, and”—I braced for her reaction—“Roan.”
Bellam’s expression transformed from mild curiosity to barely concealed irritation.“Is that really necessary?”
“That my closest friends meet Maxim?Yes.”
Bellam rolled her eyes.“Fine.Call me later.”
