Page 56 of Kiss of Ice

“Nope. You said I looked like an angel. And you liked my nose, for some reason. Though I have to admit, I do have a very fine nose.”

Fuck.

“Is that all?”

“Yes.” He paused. “Well, except for when you asked me to kiss you. That was unexpected.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

It was coming back to her now. She’d run her fingers all over his face and practically invited him to ravish her. Dear gods, she wanted to die. She put her head in her hands.

“I’m sorry,” she said in a small voice. “I was drunk. I hope I didn’t embarrass you.”

“Ren.” He got up from the chaise longue and strode to the bed. “Look at me.”

“I can’t,” she said, her voice muffled. “I’m never going to look at you again.”

He sighed and sat next to her.

“We’ve all done idiotic things under the influence of drink. I once tried to ride a sea-kelpie and damn near drowned myself. Would it help if I told you how brilliant you were last night?”

“Really?”

“Really. You charmed everyone.”

She peeked up at him.

“So the engagement party was a success?”

“It was. In fact, I’d be grateful if you could take a look through the gifts and ask Master Zelen to send thank you notes.”

“We have gifts?”

“We have a mountain of them. They’re in the next room. Sorting them out can be your first official task.”

“What shall I do with them?”

“Chuck them out of the window for all I care. Personally, I don’t need another set of silver teaspoons.” He paused. “I’ve also had time to think about your idea.”

“Which one?”

“The one about visiting the deprived areas of Nush’aldaam incognito. I’ve decided we’ll do it.”

“Really? We will? Ow!” She clutched her head. “Gods. My skull feels like it’s bursting.”

“Let me get Ruth for you. Oh, and Ren? There’s one thing I need you to stop doing right now.”

His voice had turned serious again and she looked up to find his expression stern.

“What? What have I done now?”

“Something you do far too often. You keep putting yourself down and I won’t tolerate it any longer.”

“I… I don’t know what you mean. I don’t put myself down.” She avoided his eyes, knowing her words weren’t true, and he grasped her chin.

“Look at me, Ren. You’re going to be an Empress. A role model for girls and women throughout the realm.”

“I didn’t ask for that! I didn’t ask for any of it!”

---