Page 49

“Every merwoman does.” Halen hands me my brush. “Hurry up.”

Yawning, I try to brush through the snarls, but I give up and pull it into a messy bun. Probably not castle-worthy, but I can fix it on the ride over.

Dinner goes by quickly. When I head out, Bash grabs me, pulls me onto his lap, and gives me a quick kiss. “I’ve missed you. Where were you earlier?”

“Oh no! We were supposed to meet in the garden. I’m so sorry. My dad was working with me on the Ayers power and it sapped all my energy. I ended up taking a long nap.”

“Your dad? He’s not Father any longer?”

I shrug. “Guess I’m getting used to it.”

“I’m sure you are. It’s a transition I wouldn’t mind adjusting to.” He laces his fingers through mine. “So, you want to make up for our missed date now?”

“I wish I could. I’m supposed to meet my parents at the castle after dinner.”

He kisses my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. He whispers in my ear, “I could go with you.”

“I don’t know.”

“They need to get used to us being together because I’m not going anywhere.” He kisses my ear.

“You make it hard to say no.”

“That’s my plan.”

“Break it up,” Middlebrooks says.

I groan but get up. “We were just leaving, anyway.” I pull Bash up and hurry out of the dining hall before the dean can say anything else.

When we get to the car waiting for us in the parking lot, the driver holds the door open and eyes Bash.

I straighten my back. “He’s coming with me.”

“That wasn’t in my instructions.”

“I’m adding it. By orders of the princess.”

He frowns but doesn’t argue. I guess he figures I can take it up with my parents if they’re unhappy.

Bash helps me into the back before entering. The driver closes the door and a few moments later the car engine roars to life. Bash closes the curtain between us and the driver then wraps his arms around me and nibbles on my ear. “Let’s pick up where we left off.”

Goose bumps run down my neck and back. “I’d love nothing more, but I can’t show up to the castle looking like this.”

He pulls back and looks me over with hungry eyes. “I see nothing wrong with how you look.”

Heat floods my cheeks. “My hair’s a wreck.”

“I can fix that.” He pulls the hair tie out, releasing my knotted locks. He combs his fingers through the length of it, working out some of the tangles.

“I think I saw a brush somewhere.” I open a few drawers until I find it and hold it up for him.

He takes it from me and runs it through the length of my hair, stopping only to work through the knots. I close my eyes and enjoy the pampering as the bristles press against my scalp, then down my back and up again. It nearly lulls me to sleep except the gesture is so romantic, my stomach won’t stop tingling.

“All done.”

I force my eyes open. “Already?”

Bash gives me a quick kiss and holds my gaze. His intense blue eyes take my breath away. “Can’t improve upon perfection.”

My pulse manages to speed up even more. I run my fingers through his hair and pull him closer, pressing my lips on his and deepening the kiss immediately. He tastes of underwater berries and vanilla. His hands rest on my waist, and he breathes deeply. I squeeze his hair between my fingers, climb onto his lap. Undo his top button then the next one.

The car jerks to a stop and I bounce off Bash’s lap.

“Sorry,” the driver says. He doesn’t sound sorry. Does he have cameras on us? Or did he peek around the curtain? “We’ve arrived at the castle.”

Bash picks up the brush and gives me a crooked smile. “Better fix your hair again.”

My entire body goes weak. Maybe bringing him wasn’t the best idea. How am I ever going to pay attention to my parents with him here?