“Why wouldn't they report it to your father?”
“I dunno. Maybe they hadn't gotten that far yet. Maybe they thought they could handle it on their own.”
I moved to sit on the edge of my mattress. “Do you really think any Draemornians would be stupid enough to try something like that? Especially at such a large event?”
“I’d sure hope not. But if we don't prepare for the worst, and then the worst happens, we’re screwed.” He pulled himself from the chair and came to sit next to me, picking up the comb I’d neglected. “Unfortunately this means I'm going to be on duty tonight.” Sebastian sounded disappointed as he started working the comb through my waves.
“Oh,” I grimaced. “It's okay. Maybe just try to save time for one dance with me?”
Sebastian smiled, untangling a knot of my hair. “Of course.”
When he finished, he laid the comb down to tilt my chin up with his finger. His lips were soft and smooth as they grazed my own gently. Lovingly. The contact gradually deepened, and I parted my mouth, entangling my tongue with his. I savored the taste of him as his hand moved through the slit of my dress and to my thigh.
“Remember what I said earlier about what happens when we kiss?”
“We have a few minutes to spare.” His fingers caressed my skin, tracing the inside of my leg. He was dangerously close to where I really wished his hands would go, when he stopped abruptly and broke our mouths apart.
His forehead creased. “Where is your dagger?”
“Did you really stop kissing me to ask me that?”
“I'm serious, Maeve.”
“It's over there.” I pointed to the drawer of my desk. “Why?”
Sebastian marched to my desk, opening the drawer and taking out the dagger and its sheath before storming back. “Put it on,” he demanded, handing the weapon out to me.
I raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? We're just going to the courtyard.”
“Put it on,” he said again, his tone advising me not to argue.
Still, I hesitated, so he took matters into his own hands, separating the slit of my gown to reveal my thigh. He tied the sheath snuggly around my leg, then slid the blade into it.
“You shouldn't be going anywhere without this anymore.” He tightened the wrap to make sure it wasn't going to wriggle loose.
“I think you're forgetting that I have the most powerful magic in the kingdom. At least from what I’m told.”
“I thinkyou'reforgetting that you have a whole army who's pissed at you, and a king who presumably still wants you under his control,” he snapped. Though he disguised it by anger, I could sense the fear in his tone.
“Okay, Prince Hawthorne, damn.” I gave in to his concern with a hint of an attitude. I stood up, wiggling a bit to test out the fit of the sheath.
“Thank you.” Sebastian glanced over at my clock. “Shit, I have to go. Are you almost ready?”
“I need a few minutes. Go ahead. I'll see you down there.”
“I don't know about that.”
“You let me walk alone earlier. I’ll be fine. I'm armed now, remember?” I teased.
“You sure?” He hesitated. “I dunno.”
“I’m good, Seb. Go.” I guided him to the door, waving my hands to usher him out. “Go or you’ll be late.”
Sebastian sighed. “Okay, I'll see you after the ceremony then.” He leaned into my ear before leaving. “I can't wait to see how hot you look in your armor.”
I finished my hair, messily pulling the sides back to keep it out of my face. I put on a pair of low heels, then adjusted my dagger once more before scrambling out the door. I would be late, too, if I didn't hurry, so I broke into a jog down the stairs.
A few steps from the bottom, my foot slipped out from under me and I plummeted down the remainder of the steps. The edge of my elbow collided with the railing and I cried out in agony. I pulled myself upright on the last step, then lifted my arm to get a look at my elbow.
