Page 102 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

A smile spread onto his face. “It is. Many people love to ice skate in the winter. Have you ever?”

“I’ve never even heard of it.”

He trailed his fingers along the crease of his napkin. “Your brother—Prince Emrin, I mean—was just telling me you enjoy the outdoors and being active.”

My heart warmed. I’d have to thank Emrin later.

Galeson continued. “I imagine you’d love it. A strap is attached to a bone that you fit your feet into, and you glide around the ice. Oh”—his lips pinched—“I suppose mentioning bone might be uncomfortable. I apologize. I—”

“It’s all right. I have a stronger constitution than appearance may suggest.”

He nodded and took a bite, the sound of his swallow filling the silence between us. Nerves rolled off of him like waves in a sea. It was comforting, in a strange way, to not be the only one out of their depth. “Look,” I said, and he lifted his face. “This is really awkward for me, and I imagine it must be for you too. But if we’re to consider each other as potential spouses”—I stumbled over the word—“maybe it’d be for the best if we were just ourselves?”

His shoulders dropped. “I’m terrible at this, aren’t I? I apologize.” He fiddled his fingers over his goblet. “I told my aunt I would be hopeless.” He peeked out under his long, golden eyelashes at me. “All this attempting to make a good impression puts me at my utter worst, I believe.”

A breeze trembled trees outside the windows, and light danced around in golden splotches over the table. “Me too,” I said. “I’d rather just get to know you honestly.”

He nodded. “That actually sounds lovely.”

“What’s something you enjoy doing in your free time, Lord Galeson?”

He chuckled and fiddled with his napkin again. “If we’re to get to know each other personally”—he raised his eyebrows, and I nodded—“perhaps we could drop the titles? If you were comfortable, you could just call me Gale.”

“All right, Gale.” I smiled and thrusted my hand out to him. “I’m Pip. It’s nice to meet you.”

He curled his fingers, long and rough, around mine and gave me a curious grin. “Pip, is it?”

“It is. And, you didn’t answer my question.”

“Ah.” He nodded towards the gardens where they stretched beyond the silhouetted curve of the windows. “I’m fond of the outdoors as you are. And I’ve heard that you enjoy horseback riding?”

“I do.”

“It’s a favorite activity of mine as well.”

“Would you be interested in going for a ride this morning?”

He smiled again, but it came as the first easy expression he’d had all morning. “I’d love that, actually.”

On our walk to the stables, Galeson told me about his home in the north, his rowdy siblings, and the icy winters there. He asked me questions as well: What was my favorite part of living in Niria? What hobbies interested me? What was my relationship like with my brothers? His features winced when I mentioned Hyacinth. He must have really intimidated him.

As we strode into the barn, Galeson tilted his head back, his eyes skimming the tall ceilings and thick wood beams. “What gorgeous stables.”

“They’ve always been one of my favorite places.”

Valerian walked up.

My heart swirled in my chest before freezing.

He bowed. “Your Highness, my lord, are you wishing for your horses?”

When was the last time he’d addressed me so formally? I fought a frown. “We are. Valerian, this is Lord Galeson. Gale.” I gestured to Val. “Valerian.”

Galeson frowned but inclined his head.

Valerian bobbed towards us again. “I shall ready them both and have them in the paddock in ten minutes.” He turned and walked away.

Something ached through my muscles, like a breath knocked out of me, a blanket snatched away on a chill night. I wanted to call for Valerian. To apologize—though for what I wasn’t quite sure.