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“Jacques, your father just—”
Before I could finish, his lips met mine. A rough hand came to the back of my head, pressing me closer against him, and a gasp escaped me, giving him the opportunity to kiss me deeper. I put my hands on his chest to push him away, but stopped as soon as I touched him. The heat of his body was inviting. The warmth of his kiss was intoxicating. I couldn’t help but accept it.
His lips left mine, a puff of air hitting them as he stepped back.
“There,” he said, wiping the bottom of his lip with his thumb. “They won’t allow you to marry one man when you’ve kissed another.”
Coming out of my daze, frustration suddenly struck me.
“Wait,” I stuttered. “Did you kiss me just to break off my betrothal?”
He huffed, agreeing to my statement.
“Oh, you idiot!” I snapped. “You were willing to ruin my reputation when the wedding has already been called off?”
“How am I the idiot when you’re the one marryi— Wait, what?”
It was the first time I had seen him completely confused, and I couldn’t hold back a laugh. He almost looked innocent.
I knew better.
“As I was trying to say,” I continued, “before you so rudely interrupted, that is, was that your father is here now. Our engagement has been called off.”
He brought his fingers to his lips. “So you’re saying I did that for no reason?”
I nodded smugly. He ran his tongue against his teeth, his skin turning pink.
“Unless youwantedto kiss me,” I added.
He glared at me. “Why would I want to do such a thing?”
“You’ve been quite adamant about me not marrying your father,” I said. “You never told me a real reason.”
“I did. You’re a gold digger.”
“A gold digger who tried to get her wings and was rejected?”
He paused as I looked over my shoulder at the sky, looking toward the star Jacques had shown me—the one over the den.
“You said I was easy to understand,” I said, turning back to face him. “You must know what I want most, even now.”
His eyes met mine. After a moment, he turned his head away, muttering to himself.
“I’ll see that you make it back,” he said eventually. “I already gave you my word.”
“Another thing you didn’t have to do,” I returned. “Why are you helping me, Jacques?”
He paused. “Because it’s my duty as a Judge.”
“We both know that’s not true. That’s not one of your duties. And even so, you are not bound to duty as I am.”
He glared at me. I returned the favor. Suddenly, he reached his hands out, gripping my waist and lifting me onto mydresser. With a yelp I grabbed his shoulders, looking at him in bewilderment.
“What?” he asked, back to his cocky self. “Are you waiting for a confession? As if I’m under your siren spell, unable to live without you?”
“I only want the truth.” I held his gaze. “Why are you going this far for me?”
He seemed to lose his words for a moment, swallowing as he looked at me in my wedding gown. He shook his head, confusion still across his face.
