Page 44 of The Lord of Whispers

When, at last, we exited the death trap posing as a fair attraction, Al dropped my hand. But when I climbed out of the cart after her, she took my hand back into hers, entwining our fingers once more. Neither one of us was sick, although I certainly felt green for a few minutes after.

We walked hand in hand back to the manor, laughing our asses off about the fair and our genius idea to go drinking before going to ride jerky, spinning rides.

“Try not to miss me too much while I’m at the beach!” I quipped when we arrived at the door of the Vitruvian manor.

I squeezed her hand and moved to let it drop, but Al hung onto it.

“Luke,” Al said, all laughter gone from her voice.

I looked at her, my heart stilled by her serious tone.

“Yeah, Al? What is it?” I asked.

“You want to know the real reason why I can’t go to the Winter Gala with you?” she asked.

“Only if you want me to,” I said, trying to be nonchalant.

“We’re dating, Luke. Jay and I…”

I raised my eyebrows, rolling my tongue along the inside of my bottom lip.

“And here I was thinking you were going after my job,” I joked.

She started laughing, and I immediately felt better.

“I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner.I was worried that you’d think… you know, think that’s how I plan to get ahead at Court,” she said.

“Al, I know how smart and hard-working you are. Why would I possibly think that about you?” I asked.

She smiled, relieved. “So, we’re—”

“Good,” I said, finishing her sentence. I brought my other hand on top of hers, enclosing her hand in mine. “You don’t have to keep secrets from me.”

Her smile settled into a small smirk. She nodded her head slightly.

“Same goes for you,” she said.

I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before she pulled away.Al walked to the door of the Vitruvian manor and then looked back at me, where I stood a few steps down.

“I am, you know,” she whispered.

“You’re what?” I asked.

She looked like she was glowing from the light of the house behind her. All signs of the joy she had shown at the fair had disappeared from her beautiful face.

“Going to miss you,” she said, and then she disappeared into the Vitruvian manor before I could respond.

“Right back at ya, Al,” I whispered to the door.

Walking away, I flexed my hand, fingers splayed, trying to dispel the ache that had settled there in the absence of her.

21

Luke

“Jay, I’m sure you already know this, but those rumors going around about me and Al, they’re just rumors,” I said. “They’re not true,” I emphasized. We sat in Jay’s study. I sat across the desk from him in a comfortable leather and wooden chair.

“I know, Luke,” the high lord reassured me, sounding unconcerned.

---