“What?”
“He said he’s never seen you look as alive as you did when you were arguing with me about coming here. That sort of alive that comes from having something in your life that mattered enough to fight for.” Jericho met his eyes. “I think this matters to you, Finn. I think Darragh matters to you. The question is whether you’re brave enough to admit it.”
Before Finn could respond, there was a knock at the door. One of the castle staff - Michael, Finn had learned his name yesterday - poked his head in.
“Lord Finn? The king’s meeting has concluded. He asked if you’d join him for lunch in the garden.”
Finn’s heart did that stupid fluttering thing again. “Tell him I’ll be there in a moment.”
Michael nodded and disappeared. Finn stood, suddenly aware that his shirt was wrinkled from sitting, and he used his hands trying to smooth them out.
“Go on,” Jericho said, standing as well. “Go and have lunch with the man who’s clearly smitten with you. Try not to overthink it.”
“I don’t overthink things.”
“You’ve been sitting in here for the past hour mentally catastrophizing about a summit that’s still months away. That’sthe definition of overthinking.” Jericho pulled him into another quick hug. “Just be yourself, Finn. That’s who he wants.”
Finn returned the hug, grateful for his brother’s presence. “Thanks for coming to check on me.”
“Of course. Though fair warning – I do realize it’s only a matter of time before I’ll have to make an appointment to see you and bow when I come into the room.”
The image was so ridiculous that Finn laughed. “I’ll throw something at you if you ever bow to me.”
“I look forward to it, Your Majesty.” Jericho dodged the cushion Finn threw and headed for the door, still grinning. “Seriously, though. Stop worrying and start living. You deserve this.”
After Jericho left, Finn took a moment to check that his shirt was going to be as wrinkle-free as it could be, and ran his fingers through his hair. His reflection in the window showed a man who looked nervous but also...hopeful.
He made his way through the castle corridors, nodding to staff members who greeted him by name now. Three days, and already the place felt less foreign and a lot less intimidating.
The garden lunch spot was in a courtyard Finn hadn’t seen before. It was smaller and more intimate than the formal gardens, with a fountain in the center and climbing roses covering one wall. Darragh was already there, having shed his formal jacket and he’d rolled up his sleeves. He looked tired but smiled when he saw Finn approaching.
“Sorry about the meeting running long,” Darragh said. “Harbor regulations are somehow both crucial and mind-numbingly boring.”
“Did you reach a decision?”
“Several, actually. None of which I want to discuss over lunch.” Darragh gestured to the small table set with food. “Tell me what you did this morning instead. Something interesting to clear my head.”
Finn sat down, accepting the glass of water Darragh poured for him. “Jericho came to visit.”
“How is your brother?”
“Good. Full of gossip about how the castle is convinced you’re smitten with me.” Finn watched Darragh’s face as he said it, curious about the reaction.
Darragh didn’t look embarrassed or caught off guard. Instead, he met Finn’s eyes directly. “The castle would be correct.”
Finn’s breath caught. They’d been dancing around this for three days - the glances, the touches, the obvious attraction - but neither had said it so plainly.
“Darragh…”
“I know we’re supposed to be taking this week to see if we’re compatible as potential partners in a political arrangement,” Darragh continued. “But I think we both know this stopped being just political somewhere around day one.” He set down his glass. “I like you, Finn. Not as a convenient solution to my adviser problem. I like you.”
Finn’s heart hammered against his ribs. “I like you too.”
“Then what’s stopping you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You pull back every time we get close to...this.” Darragh gestured between them. “Every time I think we’re about to cross that line from potential to actual, you retreat. So I’m asking you straight. What’s stopping you?”
