“I was perusing your collection to see if there was something of interest for me when I discovered your baker snooping.”
“Snooping through books. Yes, that sounds positively treasonous.” His expression is even, unreadable, as he winks at me. “Release her now.”
She does as ordered, dusting her hand against her skirt as if it’s coated in filth.
“And did you find something of interest?” The king nods toward the book tucked under her arm.
“Besides this servant of Princess Romeria’s who is not where she should be?” She smiles tightly and slips out the book. Its gold binding glints despite the lack of light. “I thought I should educate myself on my future husband.”
“Master Sicily’s collection on the royal family.” The king hums. “I can’t say how much of my escapades are accurate. He never interviewed me.”
“I will make sure the historian is more thorough going forward, beginning with our nuptials.” She steps toward him.
He smoothly shifts out of reach of her grasp. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Lady Saoirse.”
The dismissal is obvious, and by her clenching jaw, not appreciated. “Your Highness.” With a scathing glance at me, she marches away.
The king watches her disappear around the corner before turning his attention back to me. “So? What do you think of my bride-to-be?”
“She is …” I fumble for a suitable lie.
“Oh, that’s right, I think you shared your feelings already.” He chuckles, and it softens the hard features of his face. “Don’t worry, I share those thoughts.”
“Then why?” I find myself blurting. I immediately regret it. “I mean … excuse me for my disrespect, Your Highness—”
“For the good of the kingdom.” A somber expression takes over his face. “To unite Kettling with Cirilea, two powerful sides that seem to be moving farther apart with each day, but especially after the betrayal by the Ybarisans.”
I hadn’t expected an answer. I swallow. “That is a noble reason.” Though sad that he feels he must hitch himself to that terrible elven, but I can’t feel too sorry for him. He didn’t have to take his brother’s throne.
“We will see. Things are more complicated within these walls than they are on a battlefield.”
Speaking of battlefields …“You’re bleeding.” I nod toward his sleeve.
He tugs at his collar, pulling it down to reveal sculpted muscle over a shoulder where a sword slash still weeps. “It is nothing. It will close by tonight, even without a healer’s aid.”
“I’ve always envied your kind’s healing abilities.” My body is still recovering from childbirth.
He peers down at the small bundle against my chest. “She is much quieter than she was last night.”
Last night … Those few quiet, intense moments between us that I have replayed over and over in my mind since I reclaimed my spot in bed, unable to make sense of it.
Even now, thinking about all that transpired, my adrenaline races.
The tiny flick of his eyebrow tells me he’s caught the reaction, but he doesn’t pry for my thoughts. “Did Saoirse hurt you?”
My arm aches and will no doubt wear bruises, but I shake my head. “No, Your Highness.”
He nods, his lips pursing as if he knows I’m lying but doesn’t want to call me out for it. “What are you doing in the library?”
“Oh.” I smile sheepishly. “I’m sorry if I’ve overstepped my bounds, Your Highness, but I’m looking for my son. He has a habit of finding places to hide. Unfortunately, this castle has many of them.”
“Unfortunate for you, but not so for him.” He chuckles. “And you think he’s in here?”
“He’s not anywhere else I’ve checked, and the guards have found him in here before. They weren’t willing to help with the hunt this time, but they waved me through.”
“I imagine they are occupied with more pressing matters than a mischievous little boy.”
“Yes, of course.” They’re searching for whoever tried to kill the king.
“Let’s try this way.” He gestures down an aisle.
Let’s? As in let us? “You are going to help me look for him?” I can’t hide the shock in my voice.
“I was a mischievous boy in this castle myself, once. I have a few ideas.” He pauses. “Unless you’d rather not have my help?”