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I nearly choke. “Well, this friend is correct about one thing—I have perhaps enjoyed your wine a bit too much tonight.” I should go to bed. “I need some fresh air. Jamys, would you come for a walk with me?” Spite wins this round.

“Of course.”

Tomas’ eyes burn my back as I leave on Jamys’ arm. If tonight has shown me anything, it’s that I should have ended things with Tomas long ago. I’m going to marry Jamys. We’ll sit side by side on thrones someday. I can’t keep putting off the idea of being with him romantically.

The outside air does revitalize my nerves and soothe the buzzing in my veins.

“Your parents seem very happy together,” Jamys says.

“They are.”

“That’s wonderful. I don’t know that mine are bonded in quite that way, but I’d hope to experience it someday.”

I think I have. “As would I.”

“I want to love you, Arabella.” His voice is soft, his gaze warm as he looks down past his shoulder at me.

“I’m glad you don’t yet.” I cover my mouth with a hand. “Gods, that sounded awful! What I mean is, we should know each other better for either of us to be in love.”

He laughs under his breath. “Have no fear. I’d like to properly fall in love. I’d like for you to fall in love with me.”

“I’d like that, too. The challenge is”—I jump up onto a stone bench—“I’m quite incapable of falling.” I walk to the other end, step off, and stand suspended in the air.

A smile spreads over his face as he takes me in. “You are spectacular.”

I lower to the ground slowly. “Thank you.”

“Do you think you’ll return with us to Ceraun after the trials?”

This dress would be more comfortable in the cooler climate. My fingers trace whorls on the skirt as I consider it. “I suppose I will.” Summer in the mountains… Can a change of scenery inspire a change of heart?

“I have a theory,” Jamys says.

“Do tell.”

“If you win the crown, I think we’ll marry here.”

It makes sense. If I were to be queen, with Alchos being the stronger power, I suppose we would marry here instead of Ceraun. “Can you imagine if we travel to Ceraun this summer as husband and wife?”

A short laugh bubbles from him. “I didn’t necessarily mean that soon. Though, it would give us much more to explore than the kingdom.”

My attention snaps to him so quickly, my hair slaps my face. “Prince Jamys, are you alluding to carnal relations?” Did I say that out loud? Oh, I have had too much to drink. Jamys is so very straight-laced, it’s hilarious to hear.

He blushes, and I must admit, it’s adorable.

“I’m sorry.” I lean against his chest with less grace than I’d prefer. “I don’t mean to tease. It’s just surprising. I assumed you’d make no mention of it until we were bound before gods and men.” My amusement is no doubt plastered on my face. I’m such an ass.

“Just because we can’t act on it until then doesn’t mean it doesn’t cross my mind.”

“Oh?” The idea of Jamys entertaining intimate thoughts about me is… exciting. I reach up to comb my fingers through his cornsilk waves. “What is on your mind now?” Intimacy with Jamys is an obvious way for him to slide into the space in my heart that Tomas has held. My state of intoxication helps, but I’ve always found Jamys attractive. Closing the gap between us feels good, and it’s necessary.

He looks into my eyes, not with the self-assured confidence of a prince, but with the timid mildness he shows when his music comes up. “May I kiss you?”

It’s all so sweet and lovely and innocent. “Yes, you may.”

He presses his lips to mine, and yes, sweet is the right word. The golden prince is pure honey.

Jamys’ lips pull back from mine with a light pop. And again. And again. Many little surface kisses, and when I try to slow one down, deepen it, he continues right on with the steady beat of kisses. Pop, pop, pop, like a pendulum. It isn’t bad, it’s just terribly boring. Some variety would really do wonders. We continue like that until I can’t stand it anymore.