“I don’t want his help.”
“Stubborn girl.” I hold her tighter.
“Yep.”
I don’t like the new distance growing between Edmund and me. He started it, sure, but things like this are making it harder. Fucking around with Dani and making him watch wasn’t such a big deal. We used to do that sort of shit for fun—with our partners’ permission, of course. But comforting Dani from a nightmare feels a lot more intimate than fucking. And she’s pushing Edmund away.
Maybe he deserves it, but I pity the bastard.
Dani slowly relaxes against me.
“Do you want to talk about the nightmare?” I ask.
“Not really. I don’t remember any details, anyway. I was sinking, basically.” She shivers. “I’d rather not relive it by talking about it.”
“That’s fine.” I rub circles against her back.
Edmund steps into the room with a mug smelling like chamomile. He shrugs. “My nanny used to make this for me when I couldn’t sleep or had bad dreams.”
Dani doesn’t look at him.
“Come on,” I whisper. “He’s trying to help.”
“He can hear you, you know.” Edmund shakes his head and lets out a mirthless laugh. He sets the mug on Dani’s nightstand. “Never mind. Drink the tea, or don’t.”
As he starts to walk away, Dani says, “Wait. I’m sorry. You can stay, too.”
Like before, he sits on her other side. She blows on the tea to cool it and takes a small sip.
Nobody speaks. The three of us sit on the bed in silence, together.
This is how it could be. If Edmund would allow it. If his past hadn’t fucked him up so bad. If Dani would allow it. If she weren’t so determined to get in her own way.
Maybe I just need to be patient and let things happen? Easier said than done. Because maybe the right answer is to take that job with Amber. It’s not like I’d have to date her again. Just work for her.
Guilt spears me. The option of leaving my post with Edmund shouldn’t even be on the table.
Dani scoots over to lean against his shoulder. They look good together, the Aseyev princess and the Layton prince.
Edmund
If it weren’t for the forced marriage, I could probably bring Danica around to the idea of dating me. We click, even when she’s mad. Even when she’s fighting me.
She still wants me, just like I want her.
I wish there was some way to speed up the process. Moving in together wasn’t my notion; it was my grandfather’s. But maybe he has the right idea. Not just for Danica’s safety, but for helping us grow closer together.
Of course, Troy lives here, too.
As Danica sleeps between us, she curls up close to him, seeking him out even in her sleep.
I’m not jealous. Puzzled, though. I know she likes me. But she also likes him.
I’m a fucking idiot. She’s never going to be happy if I kick Troy out of the relationship.
But then...where does that leave the wedding, and our vows?
Danica
