Page 48 of Silver & Gold
“I think you’re here to tell me to get to work, which, yes, would spoil it. Have you been watching us all day?”
“From a distance.”
Seth narrowed his eyes. He didn’t like that. He should have spotted her. Then she made it even worse by saying, “Raider saw me over an hour ago.”
“What the hell,” Seth grumbled.
“He didn’t say anything?”
“No, he fucking didn’t.”
“Probably because he knew you’d be annoyed, and he wanted to keep you to himself a little longer.”
That interpretation simultaneously soothed and annoyed Seth because she was probably right, and he didn’t like her showing insight into his man.
“So are you here to crack your whip? Is it hiding under that gown?”
“Are you interested in what’s under my gown?” Her lips twitched as though enjoying a private joke.
“Oh, go away.”
She laughed, reminding Seth a little too much of Raider. What the hell was taking him so long anyway?
Oh. He was paying. With money he’d clearly lifted from Seth. How the hell did he do that? Why couldn’t Seth tell?
“I’m afraid I can’t go away,” she said. “I need you to resume work. I’ve given you all the time I can.”
“I need more.”
“You’re worried about him.”
Something in her tone, in her face, made Seth confess, “I don’t want him in the palace, but if I’m there, I’ll be too far away if …”
Her eyes showed understanding. She had seen Raider last night. She had helped Seth get him out quickly. She didn’t make Seth explain.
“I’ll watch him,” she promised. “From a distance. I’ll leave him alone.”
“No. He’ll notice. He wouldn’t like that.”
“Someone will be watching him though, me or another. Empress’s orders. What’s your preference?”
“Are you actually asking?”
“Yes.”
Seth sighed and said reluctantly, “You.”
She dipped her chin.
“I’m going to tell him, though.”
“I’ll draw back. I don’t think he wants to talk to me, not after last night.”
Ah. Seth should have realized that was why Raider was taking his sweet time with the merchant. He was uncomfortable with Nasrin after what she’d witnessed.
Seth said, “I’m walking him back to the inn. Then I’ll go to the library.”
She nodded and moved off into the crowd. When she was gone, Raider returned to Seth’s side, proving Nasrin right about him avoiding her.