“No,” I muttered, embarrassed that he had caught me slinking in the shadows, gawking at the head table. “In fact, I’m—”
“Lying,” he cut in. His eyes narrowed as he looked critically at me, then let his gaze slowly roam over me, not missing a single detail. “No woman as striking as you would hide amongst the shadows.”
“Maybe this woman prefers darkness,” I whispered, but my voice sounded husky.
“So you’ve not come in the hopes of finding a wealthy husband?” His brows drew back in surprise.
“No.” I couldn’t keep the rare smile from my lips. If only this handsome stranger knew that finding a husband was no longer any of my concern.
He drew closer, raising his arm above my head to rest on the wall behind me. He leaned in, the smell of wine on his breath strong as he whispered, “Then you are here for a clandestine meeting with a lover, perhaps? If not, I’m sure I could help you find one.”
“I’m only here for the food,” I muttered, then stared up into the animated eyes, a renewed heat rising to my face. A deep rumble came from his chest that I at first thought was a growl until I realized he was laughing—at me. Not one to enjoy being laughed at, I tried to duck under his arm and move away.
“Wait, don’t leave,” he said, grabbing my elbow and stopping me from escaping. “I find your candor refreshing.”
It was odd that, for once, I had a gentleman who was interested in being near me instead of walking to the other side of the road.
I turned and, out of the corner of my eye, caught a servant carrying a tray past our hiding place. Feeling the need to prove my reason for being here was based on hunger and not anything else, I leaned out and snatched two desserts from the inattentive servant, then slipped back into the shadows.
“Like I said, I’m only here for the food.” Handing one to my secret confidant, I took a bite and smiled winningly. This treat was a cinnamon and honey scone covered in a sugar glaze. “It’s quite excellent.”
The gentleman was reluctant to take a bite of the pastry and instead was looking at me like I had grown horns. Did I do something wrong? Was that not ladylike? My heart raced as I realized how childish I must have looked. Instead, he signaled to a servant, who immediately appeared with a tray of drinks; he put his empty glass back on and took two, giving one to me. He held up his glass in a salute, and I met his with mine.
We ate our desserts in silence while sipping on our drinks. It was richer than any available from my hometown and had a pleasant aroma. Anything this fine rarely came our way. A warmth and a slight haze filling my body, I didn’t feel at all uncomfortable as I sucked the sugary pastry glaze from my thumb, until I saw him watching my lips and fingers avidly. Quickly, I dropped my hand and held it behind my back, knowing he could construe my behavior as wantonness, and that was not how I wanted to behave. I had once again let my childish exuberance take over, and I wanted to hide in a corner.
Wait, I already am, with a very handsome man. I needed to take refuge in a different corner. Looking about, I tried to find a reason to escape and glanced back at the head table.
The man saw where I was looking and grinned. “Did you know?” he whispered like it was a great secret. “The prince married a witch.” He gripped a goblet in one hand. “I don’t know how he’ll survive being married to her.” His cheeks were flushed, and the wine kept sloshing out of the cup and over my dress. “She’s only after his crown and will surely kill him.”
“Is that so?” I answered bitterly. Any infatuation I had gained for him died and blew away in the wind.
His stylish dark copper hair fell into his eyes as he leaned forward to whisper, “He’s cursed for all eternity.”
“Why are you hiding among the shadows?” I asked.
“Because I’m avoiding responsibility for the moment and enjoying my conversation with you.” The stranger took both of our glasses and put them on the floor near the wall. He leaned in close, his hand resting on my shoulder. “Who are you?”
“No one of importance. In fact, it would be best if you forgot you ever met me,” I said.
Again my words made him pause. “There’s something about you.” His eyes dropped to my lips, and my breath caught. His fingers lifted my chin, and I became ensnared in the web of his amber eyes.
“I—” I was at a loss for words.
“Do you know what else shadows are good for?” I could smell the wine on his breath; he was heavily inebriated.
“What?” I asked, entranced by his nearness and scent—cedar and leather.
“Keeping secrets,” he murmured, then pressed his lips to my throat. I gasped in surprise as the tingle of his kisses ran along my neck and up to my jaw, sending a shock of warmth racing through me. My toes curled and my breath caught in my throat. His lips sought mine, and I didn't pull away, my own curiosity dying to experience a kiss. It was everything I had ever dreamed and then more. My knees went weak, and he had to hold me as I almost collapsed.
“You taste amazing,” his husky voice drawled as he sought my lips a second time.
“Stop,” I breathed out, turning my head and avoiding his kiss. But I clutched his arms to keep myself from falling over. His kisses left me dizzy, and I needed his support to stand, but he was also tipsy and struggling to keep his own balance.
“No, please. Don’t deny my last bit of freedom, for I expect to die tonight, murdered by my new wife.” He leaned in for another stolen kiss.
“What?” I gasped, pulling away. The fog in my mind quickly cleared as his words hit home. He's married! Wait, I’m married. This couldn’t go on.
Scared at the feelings he was dredging up and overwhelmed by new sensations he was stirring in me, I roughly pushed him away. His back hit the wall, followed by the crack of his head. I winced at the sound.
He stilled when he caught sight of a woman coming down the hall, dropping his hand from my waist and clearing his throat. Not wanting to be caught in the middle, I stepped back behind him as he approached the noble lady.
“Yasmin,” he breathed out and straightened his clothing.
“Xander,” she replied curtly, and my head snapped up when I heard the prince’s name. The drunken lord I had been bantering and sharing a heated kiss with was none other than my husband. How ironic.
Yasmin stopped in front of Xander, her eyes never leaving his face, not even acknowledging my presence. “Is this it, then?” she asked. “The end of us?”
“No,” he breathed out. “Despite my circumstances, we can be together.”
Her beautiful blue eyes teared up, and she blinked prettily. “Words, my prince. Your words mean nothing to me when you have gone and married another, and I will not be your whore. You have made me look like a fool in front of my family and friends, and I am no fool,” she hissed. “You are the fool who has pledged himself to a daughter of Eville. Do you not understand what you’ve done? Do you not know the ruin you’ve brought to our kingdom?”
“My kingdom,” Xander said stiffly.
Yasmin’s eyes widened at being contradicted. “W-What?”
“It is my kingdom, not yours.”
“I meant no offense. It was a mere slip of the tongue. For goodness’ sake, we were engaged to be married. We had dreams for the kingdom of Baist. It isn’t a dream I can so easily give up because you tell me to. I can’t give up on you. I won’t. Please, tell me you haven’t given up on me… on us.”