The Heir's Bargain (Of Fire and Lies) by Neena Laskowski

Author:Neena Laskowski [Laskowski, Neena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Belles & Oats, LLC
Published: 2024-05-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

DANI

Fynn's laughter cut through the surrounding noise as the actors crashed into one another, their performance bringing tears to the spectators.

"What did I miss?" Terin asked as he came up behind us and wrapped an arm around Fynn's shoulders, knocking Fynn into me.

I took a small side step.

Riley trailed behind Terin, cheeks flushed, but I was too distracted by Terin's question to give it any thought. My eyebrows twisted together as I tried to recall what happened in the performance I hadn't been paying any attention to.

In fact, I hadn't been paying much attention to anything since Fynn kissed me in the middle of the ballroom.

Since his hand gripped my thigh.

Since his fingers brushed the bare skin of my back.

The ghost of his gentle touch still lingered there as if he had somehow marked my very soul.

Hours must have passed, yet I couldn't get the taste of his lips off my mind.

Movement flickered in my peripheral vision—a staff member strolling by balancing a precarious number of thinly stemmed glasses on a silver platter. I grabbed a glass as he passed and drank, letting the cool wine simmer the rising heat in my stomach.

"Oh, you missed it, Ter and Riley," Fynn said. "The two comedians were making a joke about the bull king and his⁠—"

"I'm going to get some fresh air," I said as Fynn prattled.

Not bothering to wait for a response, I weaved through the crowd. As I downed the rest of the wine, I tried to drown out everything around me: Fynn's voice, his laughter, the phantom warmth on my back, on my lips, on my⁠—

"By the gods," I groaned.

I kept walking until the fresh air swept across my face. But Pontanius himself must have cursed the sea's breeze, for it did little to soothe the burning consuming me.

I had set aside these feelings a long time ago. There was no reason I should have been getting heated about Fynn.

It was all pretend, I reminded myself.

He kissed me to ensure the kingdom believed we were serious. Yet the only thing it did was seriously confuse me.

I rubbed a hand across my face, groaning.

What am I doing? I asked myself.

"Danisinia."

I straightened at the queen's gentle voice and turned, curtsying. When I stood, Esmeray smiled. I could barely make my lips twitch, though, as her searing blue eyes bore into me. I had only known Esmeray to be a kind woman, but I had heard rumors about her gift—how she could rip memories from one's mind and claim them for her own. I had never feared her before, but now. . .

"Where's Fynneares?" Esmeray asked.

"Oh, uhm." My gaze flitted across the garden. "He and Terin are watching the rest of the performance. I came outside to get some fresh air."

She nodded, her gaze slipping to the manor behind me before her attention returned to me. "These events can be a lot sometimes."

"Indeed," I mumbled, twisting a curl around my finger behind my back.

"Walk with me for a moment?"

I tipped my head, unwilling to deny the queen.

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