Page 26 of A Kingdom of Magic and Rain

“Good for her.” His eyes were boring into me.

“Are you not interested?” I asked and held my breath.

“Not in her.” His tone implied that he was interested in me, and his eyes widened as soon as he uttered the words. He was shocked by his admission, and he wasn’t the only one.

Speechless, I stared at him as the room grew smaller around us, pushing us closer together. Gray stepped toward me, reclaiming the distance he had put between us a few seconds ago.

“Dinner is served,” Thea announced as she burst into the study.

The lord promptly stepped away from me again as I ran my hands down my skirt, looking anywhere else in the room but at him.

Thea drew up short by the door. Her eyes grew big, and there was a question in them as she looked between Gray and me.

Ignoring her, I forced myself to look at the lord. “Please honor my request,” I said when he met my gaze.

“I will. We have an understanding.” The secret is safe with me. I read the meaning in his eyes.

After a small nod in his direction, I hurried out of the study, passing puzzled Thea on my way out.

Dinner turned into another uncomfortable experience with Luna vying for Gray’s attention, and him skillfully dodging her advances. When my cousin realized that she wasn’t getting anywhere with the lord, she retired for the night early. I was grateful for that as I found being in her company for long periods of time taxing. After she had gone upstairs, I didn’t remain downstairs for long, feeling emotionally drained from the events of the day. I went to my room, showered, and added a few more notes to my diary before settling into bed.

Though I was tired, sleep wouldn’t come. After tossing and turning for a few hours, I donned a robe over my nightgown and left my bedroom. Creeping through the dark and quiet house, I made my way to the library, which lately had been kept warm at all hours to accommodate Quilliam. When I walked in, the cozy space was cast in an amber light coming from the glow of the lit fireplace and the lamp by the sofa.

“Good evening,” I greeted my pet as I let him out of his cage to roam around freely. While he was doing that, I moved to the easel by the window and began working on a new painting, my brush strokes accompanied by the whisper of the rain outside and Quilliam clattering around.

About half an hour later, another sound interrupted the tranquil setting when I heard footsteps by the library door. When it creaked open, I peeked from behind the canvas just as Gray popped his head in. He was trying not to draw attention to himself as he quickly scanned the room.

“She’s not here,” I said quietly.

When his gaze found mine, Gray visibly relaxed before strolling into the library and closing the door behind him.

“I have no idea what you mean.” He was fighting a smile as he approached me. He must have just gotten out of bed because he was wearing a robe over casual pants and a nightshirt. His hair looked unruly on top of his head, which gave him a roguish appearance.

“Mmhmm.” I chuckled low.

“What are you doing up?” he asked, coming to stand on the other side of the easel.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Me neither.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Is it because of what I had said earlier?” Stars knew the fate of Emeraldia had kept me up on more than one occasion since learning the truth.

“That’s only partially the reason. The other thing you revealed is also very unsettling.”

“The other thing?” I asked, confused.

“Yes, that Luna wants to marry a lord. I feel like I need to sleep with one eye open while she’s in the house.”

A short laugh bubbled up at his words. “She can be quite relentless, but I think she has given up for the time being.”

“Still, I will feel better when she leaves. May I take a look at what you are working on?”

“You may. The piece is inspired by the dream I had last night.”

Gray stepped around the easel and looked at the canvas, which depicted a black panther and a blue butterfly.

“This is exceptionally good! What a realistic rendition.”