The Delving by Jes Young

Author:Jes Young [Young, Jes]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781849822466
Publisher: M P Publishing

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

In the morning, when I was sober and hungover and terribly embarrassed, I tried to apologize. Finn laughed and told me not to worry about it. He’d been drunk too. We both got carried away.

“You’re sure you’re not mad at me?”

“Please,” he scoffed. “If I got mad at every princess who rubbed herself all over me and then didn’t put out, I’d be angry all the time.”

Peep, who was gathering the dishes from our breakfast on the balcony, stopped to stare at me with narrow, angry eyes. I ignored her and perched on the arm of his chair.

“I meant what I said about you being beautiful.” I laid my head against his shoulder.

“I know you did. I meant what I said about being bad with you, should you decide to give in.”

He rested his hand on my knee. We stared at each other for a long moment until I smiled and stood up.

“So, what do you want to do today? Shall we concentrate on world domination or visit the spa?”

He shook his head, laughing. “I thought I would take you on a tour of the Hollow.”

The idea made me very nervous. Just the two of us walking around, seeing his old childhood places, and remembering long-ago hurts. He’d be vulnerable. I’d want to comfort him. I’d end up kissing away his sadness. I couldn’t let that happen. In my desperation, I did the only logical thing. “Do you want to come with us, Peep?” I asked.

Finn looked surprised. I was surprised myself. Frankly, I could barely tolerate the sight of her. But I needed someone else to tag along, wherever Finn and I went together, standing between us if possible. Since Peep wanted to spend time with Finn more than almost anything, I figured she’d be happy to run interference between me, my handsome friend, and the inhibitions-canceling enchantment that had me struggling to be good.

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Finn said. “Please come.”

Peep shook her head and looked at the floor. He didn’t notice it, but I saw the corner of the smile as she did.

Her head was full of thoughts of Finn, and only Finn. How he was so smart, and handsome too. How his silky hair would feel if she were able to touch it. How soft his lips looked. How his eyes reminded her of pansies.

“Please come with us, Peep. We’ll have fun.” To me, a former teenage girl, it was obvious she was playing hard to get, but Finn really seemed to think he was convincing her. She hesitated and refused just so that he’d keep asking.

They were both delighted when she eventually gave in.

* * * * *

They were discreet about it because I was, by the king’s direct order, his heir and not his prisoner. But we were followed by three guards as we walked through the castle. They stayed back, giving us room, but I didn’t mistake their distance for trust.

We ignored them as best as we could while Finn led us through the many rooms, salons, and galleries of the Hollow.

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