Page 45 of Crimson Kingdom
Then again, maybe that would pay off for her. Maybe Evander would marry her. Hell, maybe he would even want her to go back to Socair with him.
Perhaps she would meet his standards for a clan wife in a way that I clearly did not.
Lady Sara accompanied her, but at least she didn’t do more than shoot Theo a few covert glances that he did a valiant job of pretending not to notice.
Tearing into my dinner roll, I decided to follow his lead, something I successfully managed until Fiona’s high-pitched laughter drifted across the table. Apparently, Evander washilariouseven when he was barely speaking.
A slippered foot connected with my shin, and I looked up to find Avani mouthingfix your face.
When I only raised my eyebrows at her, she shot Davin a beseeching look.
His calculating blue gaze swept over the table in a single glance, and with a determined expression, he got to his feet. Donning his most charming smile, he stepped over to where the ladies were standing.
“Lady Fiona,” he practically purred her name. “Might you accompany me for a turn around the gardens?”
Only Davin could make that phrase sound inappropriate.
Fiona gave him an assessing glance before nodding. After all, he was the Marquess of the largest holdings in Lochlann and the son of the prince. Besides which, he was Davin, and I wasn’t entirely sure I had ever seen anyone turn him down.
Lady Sara left when they did, and I went back to avoiding everyone.
Even if I did feel two sets of eyes staring at me from across the table.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
On the fifth day, we all met for breakfast in the family dining room.
I had precisely one second to enjoy the warm feeling of my entire family together before Theo and Evander walked into the room, bringing with them the usual slew of awkwardness.
Aunt Jocelyn glanced pointedly at Davin, who shot me an apologetic look before he left his spot next to me, moving to sit on the other side of the table with Gallagher instead. Which, of course, left the two seats on either side of me free for the Socairan lords to occupy.
Theo gently nudged me with his shoulder, casting a subtle smile in my direction. It was easy to return. Meanwhile, tension crackled in the air on my other side, making it impossible to ignore Evander’s presence.
It didn’t help when he goaded me into speaking to him.
“Imagine my surprise when you didn’t break into my rooms again last night.” His words were quiet enough that only I could hear. “Weren’t you curious whether or not my bed was empty?”
Something in the way he asked the question had me suppressing a shiver. Which, of course, he noticed. He raised one smug eyebrow in response, lifting his steaming mug of coffee to his lips.
There was a part of me—a rather large, violent part—that wanted to bump the mug and let the steaming contents slosh out and scald his stupidly attractive face a little.
I resisted the urge, barely.
“Believe it or not, Evander, I don’t spend my days and nights wondering whose company you keep.” I wondered if he heard the lie. “I’ve had more interesting things to fill my time at night.”
My cousins, Avani, and I had gathered in Davin’s rooms every night since the twins arrived.
All traces of amusement vanished from Evander’s features. “Oh?”
His hardened gaze landed on Theo, and a sigh escaped me.
“I’ve been spending time with my family,” I said.
I told myself the only reason I clarified was so he didn’t accuse me of going back on our deal.
His shoulders relaxed incrementally, and I wished I could take the explanation back. I turned my attention to Theo just as Mamá's voice sounded from the far end of the table.
“Today, I’ll need everyone’s help to prepare for the festival,” she announced.