Faint Hearted by Leia Stone & Julie Hall

Author:Leia Stone & Julie Hall [Stone, Leia & Hall, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2024-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

We rode in silence out of the gates and to a small town that had many cute shops I would have loved to explore if these were different circumstances. We found an inn with a tavern on the bottom floor. When we checked in at the front desk, they led us to the dining hall for dinner. It was packed with travelers and so Stryker asked for a private booth in the back.

After we ordered, I reached out to hold his hand but he quickly tucked his under the table.

Okay, not one for public displays of affection. Or did he regret that kiss? That made my heart feel like it was going to tear in half. Maybe he just needed time. He hadn’t called me little witch in a while, and I considered that a plus.

“I hate Elisana,” I announced, and he peered up at me keenly.

“Agreed.”

I wondered if he was being weird because he thought I needed his money like his ex-lover who betrayed him.

“And for what it’s worth, I’m rich too and will never need money from you,” I added.

His gaze flicked up to mine and amusement danced there. “Is that so?”

Just then the barmaid arrived, delivering our meal and drinks. I waited until she left before saying anything else.

“I’m just trying to show you that I don’t want you for your wealth,” I said as I took a spoonful of my soup.

He nodded, his expression unreadable. “I know. You haven’t yet tried to steal from me.”

I frowned. He was testing me? Waiting to see if I stole from him?

“Well,” I said, clearing my throat. “I just thought you should know that I have my own money.”

Stryker set his drink down and leaned forward, his gaze snagging my own. “To be clear,” he said carefully. “I don’t care if you have money or not. I have enough for several lifetimes.”

“You clearly do care. A lot. Enough that a small loan to your brother caused you to have a falling-out.” The words left my mouth before I could take them back. I watched as a wall seemed to slam down over his features.

“It wasn’t really about money,” he finally confessed, looking uncomfortable. “I don’t truly care about money.”

In the short time I’d spent with him I’d watched him give generously, so I believed that part could be true. But I’d also seen him freak out over people stealing from him, proving that he did care.

“Then why did you stop talking to Adrien?”

Stryker sighed, looking like he wanted to run from the table.

“I am the eldest quadruplet brother, even if only by a few minutes, so I became a lord before any of my quad brothers,” he said. “When I first arrived in Easteria as its lord, I was barely fifteen.”

Fifteen! My jaw unhinged. That was so young. And quadruplets! His poor mother.

He continued, “Right away I uncovered three theft attempts. That’s not all my money, it’s also for my people. For new roads, for wells, for farm equipment, or schools, there is so much that a lord provides for them.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.