Tear Down the Throne by Jennifer Estep

Author:Jennifer Estep
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2022-05-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

I caught up to Reiko and Delmira, and we moved into the Mortan section of the gardens. We passed several more nobles and merchants, but none of them followed us, and we soon left the watchers behind.

“Don’t worry,” Delmira said. “No one will bother us, especially not the noble ladies who have been chasing after Leo lately.”

I eyed the princess, wondering if she was trying to make me jealous by insinuating that her brother had other suitors. If so, she was succeeding.

“Mother ordered that this part of the gardens be closed,” Delmira continued.

“How kind of her,” I drawled.

Delmira grimaced and kept walking. A few minutes later, she rounded a large, tangled bed of liladorn, and a familiar structure came into view.

The gazebo where I’d met Leonidas last night. Where I’d kissed him like a fool. Where we would have done so much more if we hadn’t been interrupted by Wexel and his assassins.

Heat flooded my body, making my cheeks burn, despite the cool air, but I followed Delmira and Reiko into the gazebo. Last night, the interior had been empty, except for the loveseat embedded in the railing, but a table was now positioned inside, along with four chairs. I glanced around. Leonidas had gotten rid of the assassins’ bodies, just like he said he would, and no trace of last night’s battle remained.

Leonidas was staring out over the rocks below, although he turned at our footsteps. His gaze flicked from Delmira to Reiko before settling on me. The heat in his eyes matched what was still simmering in my body, as though he too was remembering our kisses and caresses last night.

He bowed to Reiko. “Welcome, Lady Reiko. I spotted you in the arena last night and again earlier today, although I believe this is the first time we’ve formally met.”

“Lucky me,” Reiko muttered.

Leonidas ignored her less-than-enthusiastic greeting and bowed to me. “Gemma,” he said in a husky voice that sent chills sliding down my spine.

“Leonidas.”

The four of us stood there, an awkward silence dropping over the gazebo.

“Well,” Delmira chirped in a cheery voice, “this food isn’t going to eat itself. Let’s sit.”

Reiko and I took the two chairs on one side of the table, while Delmira and Leonidas slid into the opposite seats. The princess kept up a steady stream of chatter as she set out the food. I admired her determination to pretend like we weren’t all at odds.

Fresh fruits, cheeses, spiced nuts, chocolates, sweet cakes. The basket contained an impressive amount of food, and my stomach rumbled. The only thing I’d eaten today had been part of the cheese-and-jam sandwich Leonidas had given me in the arena, so I enthusiastically dug into the spread. Everything was delicious, including the cranberry punch with its refreshing notes of orange.

Leonidas only nibbled on a few pieces of fruit, but Delmira ate just as much as I did, and she polished off one whole wedge of cheese all by herself.

Reiko crossed her arms over her chest. “I can’t believe you’re eating their food, Gemma.

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