Page 52 of A Deception of Courts
“Hmmm, how peculiar. Robin Icethorn is cold.” Duncan pressed a kiss into my cheek, his posture slopping. “If you are just trying to get me alone, say it. Or if you are looking for some warmth, I certainly have a few suggestions.”
“Now, that is something I never, ever want to hear again,” Gyah said, grimacing. Althea giggled through a haze of ale. “Before I am actually forced to slice my ears off, might I suggest we depart, dearest?” Gyah offered me a smirk as she spoke to Althea, who was leaning on her for support. “The weeks you have been kept from me have left much room to catch up.”
“Catch up, is that what we are calling it?” Althea stood from the table with such speed that it answered Gyah’s question. She swayed dramatically, stopping only as her hands slapped down on the table. Ale sloshed, and cups toppled over, and the tent erupted in drunkard cheers. “Would my guard do me the honour of escorting me safely to my tent? What with everything that is going on out in that world, I fear I might not make it there in one piece.”
“Oh, but of course. I take my job seriously after all,” Gyah replied.
With poised grace, Gyah swept Althea from her feet and threw her over her shoulder. Althea slammed her fists into Gyah’s broad back, giggling and kissing. The Cedarfall princess was so lost in a fit that she kicked over another mug, spilling ale over my trousers.
“Night, boys.” Gyah’s lip pulled away, flashing teeth. “I hope you sleep as deeply as we will.”
“Sleep is certainly on the agenda,” Duncan replied, lifting his cup in a toast. “Just not straight away.”
I clapped my hand over his mouth. “Would you stop.”
Duncan’s tongue writhed across my palm, spreading goosebumps across my arms.
“Go,” I shouted to Gyah, “before he embarrasses me any more.”
“Exactly why I’m beginning to like him,” Gyah said, then left swiftly with a squealing princess still flung over her shoulder.
Relieved by the sudden quiet, I folded myself into the crook of Duncan’s arm and chest.
“So, we made it,” he said, looking longingly down at me in his hold.
“Made it alone?”
“That, and the fact I’ve tried to get into Wychwood for years, but to no avail. Who knew it would take me falling in love with a fey to gain entry?”
“Your motives are different this time, I hope.”
“They couldn’t be more opposite.” Duncan ran his long fingers down the curve at the back of my head. His focus fell on my obsidian hair, which he brushed away from my forehead before planting a soft kiss upon it.
“Before I take a leaf out of Gyah’s book and snatch you into my arms and steal you to bed, I want you to know that I will speak with Kayne come morning. Whatever tension he holds onto must be left here before we head for Berrow.”
A chill raced down my spine. “And I thought I had a lucky escape from this conversation.”
“Not so easily. Robin, you mean more to me than I could even begin to describe.”
“I sense abutcoming on,” I replied.
“Not a but, anand.” He lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles before continuing. “AndKayne has been in my life for as long as I remember. Our friendship is important to me; however, if he makes you feel uncomfortable that isn’t what I want. Friend or not, I will not see you slighted by him. You deserve his respect after everything you’ve done.”
“Can I make a suggestion?” I asked.
“Anything.”
“I think I should be the one to speak to him first. Before you need to get involved, give me one more chance to see what the issue is and find a solution.”
If I could find a solution to Aldrick, at least I could fix something so mundane.
Duncan shook his head, verdant eyes not wavering from me for a second. “That stubborn mule of a man will listen to me. Let me understand what is going on in his head. You have enough to worry about without a sulking man-child.”
A powerful throb echoed across my skull. I winced, pressing my fingers to my temple. The dim light of the candles became too bright for a moment. I blinked at the halos that seemed to duplicate as my vision blurred.
“Something I said?” Duncan asked, brushing his fingers beneath my chin.
I exhaled, feeling the sudden presence of pain evaporating as quickly as it came. “I’m just tired. There’s so much to think about at all times. My mind is struggling with the weight of it all, if I’m honest.”
