He let go and took a step back as she gaped, flushing so hard she couldn’t even find her tongue to stammer out an apology.
He’dapparently been getting dressedon the way down the stairs,because his shirt flapped unbuttoned, giving her a full view of his muscled chest.
He laughed, white teeth flashing, and buttoned his shirt swiftly while she stared at him, her whole face on fire.
She scrambled for something witty to say, or anything to say at all.
He tucked in his shirttails. “I’m sorry about last night,” he said,evidently past the awkwardness already. “That was the most uncomfortable dinner I’ve ever experienced, and I certainly didn’t help much. I’m afraid I might have acted like a fool.”
She couldn’t help smiling. “None of us were at our best.”
He laughed. “Definitely not. I was sorry to hear about your mother,” he added, sobering. “I understand how hard that is, and if you ever need anything at all,just ask. I’m here.”
His kindness touched her. “Thank you.”
He gave her a sideways smile. “I really can’t believe you’re going to marry my brother.”
The heat was back, rushing through her. “It wasn’t my choice.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
“You don’t like Wen.”
“Wen is … Wen is …” He shrugged. “Wen is Wen, I guess. I’m not sure he’s entirely sane. He claims he hears voices—our mothers’ voices,haunting the tower, and an eerie music coming off the sea.” Caiden grimaced and Talia tried to keep the discomfort from showing on her face. “My father and I thought it best for Wen to get away from here—he had the opportunity of a lifetime with University, and he threw it all away. I’ll never understand why.”
“You said something about the gods, too. About a vision. What did you mean?”
He shookhis head. “Nothing. It’s just … Wen puts too much stock in servants’ rumors—he won’t let our mothers’ deaths alone, and my father is having a hard time forgiving him for it.”
Some rumors say they killed themselves.Talia pushed Ro’s voice away. “What about you?”
“I like to think I’m a fairly forgiving person.”
She swallowed, losing herself in his piercing eyes. She suddenly never wanted tostop looking at him. Or him to stop looking at her.
And then she heard another step on the stair and turned to see Wen coming down, his glance torn between them. His jaw was clenched tight, dark shadows pressed under his eyes.
“Ah, Wen,” said Caiden. “I was just telling your fiancée good morning.”
Wen’s jaw clenched tighter still. For an uncomfortable moment, the three of them just stood therein silence. Talia didn’t know where to look.
And then Caiden flashed her another smile. “I’ll see you later, Talia. My horse needs a run.” He stepped past her, down the remaining stairs and across the entrance hall, disappearing out the front door.
She couldn’t help staring after him.
“Miss Dahl-Saida.”
Talia jerked her gaze toward Wen. “What?”
“Miss Dahl-Saida, I—” His forehead creased andhe pulled his spectacles from his pocket, absently cleaning them on the tails of his shirt. “I’m sorry we didn’t get off to a better start yesterday. I’m sorry you’re so far from home and I’m sorry the Empress insisted on that … particular clause in her contract. I’m sorry about your mother—you can’t imagine how much. And I’m sorry I’m not more—” He shrugged, clearly frustrated, his eyes wanderingto the front door. “—dashing,” he finished awkwardly.
She didn’t attempt to persuade him otherwise. “Whatisit, between the two of you?”
“I don’t want to talk about my brother.”
“Well, I do.” She crossed her arms, glaring at him.
He shifted his feet. “We’ve never had much in common. I think he despises me. Or is ashamed of me. Or both.”
