anything at all for Vasso, and that Danzin’s quick thinking had saved his life. And just like that, my thoughts were on Keane again.
I hadn’t meant to think of him at all, but he plagued my thoughts. Memories of the kiss wouldn’t leave me alone. The softness of his lips. The strength in his arms as he held me. The simultaneous feel of desperation versus restraint, like Keane had wanted more, but wouldn’t allow himself to try.
His harsh rejection had come without warning, and it hurt even as I acknowledged it was probably for the best. After all, how could I, nearly a queen, be with the Captain of my Guard?
Keane wasn’t an option for me. For the sake of my kingdom, I needed a sensible match and a political alliance—even if it was to someone I could only tolerate rather than love. At least tolerance would be a step further than anything Father seemed to have felt for some of his wives.
Dahlia had reminded me this was my duty when she’d spoken of my having a strong husband by my side, and I always did my duty for Talador. It was what I had been born and bred to do.
I made myself focus on Danzin while we ate, as he told me more about some of the rare herbs in Rodor. I certainly couldn’t fault his enthusiasm, but his endless passion for plants would certainly wear thin over time. That said, if a husband had an interest beside being king, perhaps that would leave me with additional freedom to rule as I saw fit, regardless of the man at my side. I held back a sigh as the royal side of me saw the potential in the business-like transaction of my marriage.
Danzin insisted on sampling everything on my plate, just in case it had been poisoned, which was equal parts thoughtful and irritating. I couldn’t think of a tactful way to tell him that last part, so I smiled benignly and allowed him to think he was saving my life.
At the end of the meal, after endless talk of the growing habits of certain weeds, I was unwilling to linger any longer when the conversation wasn’t becoming any more interesting. It seemed that Danzin and I weren’t at all a match ordained by the Sun and Moon.
“Lord Danzin, thank you so much for your company this evening.” I stood, and my movement prompted him to stand too. “But as the Moon rises, the air grows colder, and I think the time is right to retire for the evening.”
“Of course.” He took his glasses off and held them loosely in his hand, a movement I’d never seen him make. “You’re right. It’s only proper that we end the evening now.”
He approached me in two quick strides before standing far too close and looking down at me. Then he cupped my cheek with his hand and leaned forward, his mouth hovering above mine. As he moved in for the kiss, I stepped back quickly, desperate to be anywhere else.
He fumbled his glasses back into place, his cheeks red in the glow of strings of lights. “I must apologize…”
“No need, Lord Danzin.” I interrupted him, my thoughts scrambled over avoiding an unwanted kiss. “The hour grows late, and I should exercise caution when outside for any length of time.”
I hurried away, leaving the embarrassed man I had just clumsily rejected standing in the remains of our romantic evening. So much for my diplomacy training.
I scurried down a path overgrown with weeds and brambles snaking out to tangle themselves in my hair, and I pulled the hood of my cloak over my head in an effort to ward them off.
Marching footsteps followed me, but I didn’t bother to look at my guard. He wasn’t Keane, and I felt Keane’s absence like a physical pain. I’d never hated my role as much as I did in this moment, trapped by my title, confined by Talador and expected to behave a certain way for the good of my people. Unable to be with the man I wanted.
I turned the corner of the path into an area out of sight of anyone but my guard. A flurry of emotion burst from me, and I drew fast and furious runes until snowflakes hung in the air above me, obscuring me from view, hiding me the way I needed to hide my feelings this evening. Only when I was finished did I realize I drew them in my