He shrugged one shoulder as if to say, “What do you do? My kingdom won’t run itself.”
“What’s going to happen with Louisa?” I got off the bed as if just sitting on it would magically end up with me cuddling him again.
“There’s a lot of bureaucratic red tape to go through, especially since she’s now guilty of manslaughterandattempted murder.” He climbed off after me.
“Not to mention the fact that the laws aren’t made to protect werewolves,” I said bitterly. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t a werewolf. I knew what it was like to be treated as a lower class. Hex, Louisa’s entire reason for trying to kill me was that she didn’t think I was suitable for Darcy because I was a half-witch, half-fae.
Darcy met my gaze. “I wanted to talk to you about that.”
“About what?”
“I spoke with my uncle last night, and we agreed that the laws around werewolves and maybe vampires need to change. It isn’t fair.”
My mouth fell open. “You changed the law?”
He pressed his lips together, revealing the hint of a small dimple in one scruff-covered cheek. “No, we agreed that the lawneedsto change, and that’s just the first step in an excruciatingly long process. Unfortunately, there are many people we still need to convince.”
“Wow.” I stared at his jaw, slightly mesmerized by that dimple. How had I not noticed it before?
“I asked my uncle to keep our discussion quiet for now since I wanted you to be the first to know.”
My heart sped up. “Why?”
“Because you gave up a chance to help yourself to protect my friend, and you deserve the shot at another story since.”
Was he saying what I thought he was? If I had the first scoop on the prince trying to change laws about werewolves and tied it into Easton’s murder without revealing the details, would that be enough to get my job back? Before I could figure out how to thank him, he grinned—a smile as warm as the hum of magic in an old spell book.
“But I think it’s only fair to let you know you were wrong again,” he said.
I cringed. “What about this time?”
“You told Louisa that I couldn’t stand you.” He shook his head, a lock of hair flopping into his eyes. “Maybe that was true at first when I thought your family was involved with what happened, but not anymore.”
“Oh.” What else was I supposed to say when my heart sped up so fast?
“I find your obvious disdain for me refreshing.”
I laughed. “You do not.”
“It’s nice to know exactly where I stand with someone and that they seemeand not just my title.”
I smiled at him, and for a moment, everything was right. “If we’re being honest, I said that more out of reflex than anything. When we first met, I thought you saw me as nothing more than an insignificant pawn.”
“If I did, that’s only because pawns have the potential to become something much more,” he murmured.
My breath caught. “I guess I don’t not-like you.”
“So you like me?” His inscrutable tone matched his lone raised eyebrow.
“I didn’t say that,” I hurried to say. “I said I can stand you now.”
The corner of his mouth tipped up into a small grin. Not a full-blown smile, but that might’ve been too much to expect from Darcy. “That’s progress.”
“Progress for what?” I asked breathlessly.
“This.” He moved his connected arm, so I tumbled forward against his chest. His mouth met mine in a soft kiss, so light I almost wasn’t sure it happened. It was more the whisper of a kiss. But when I didn’t pull away, he pressed harder.
I stiffened, my heart pounding, but the softness of his touch melted the rigidity from me and I leaned against him. The warmth of the sun coming through the window was nothing compared to the heat of Darcy’s hand on my cheek. His other curled around my waist, his fingers digging in.
