Page 55

Chapter

Fifty-Four

A smile pulled at her lips as she stretched her arms over her head before getting off the dais.

Lessia waved to a few people she recognized as they filed out of the room, then caught Amalise’s eyes and started to make her way across the room.

It took longer than she anticipated, as several people stopped her, real smiles on their faces as they congratulated her on a good debate. Even if she spotted a few frosty glares and backs that turned on her as she passed, she didn’t care.

It had been a good debate.

She’d spoken to nearly every topic: from how to involve the smaller isles in Ellow’s business more, to how to ensure the harvest didn’t suffer too hard from the harsh winter and how to build better ships to guarantee the safety of the fishermen.

To her delight Craven had said little more than a sentence, and Venko had also been unusually quiet, speaking up mostly when it came to trade—as it directly impacted his own ventures .

Loche had been in his element, and Lessia hadn’t been able to tear her eyes away when he spoke to the townsfolk.

The kindness and care that radiated from him as he walked off the dais and hugged a widow whose husband had been one of Stellia’s men, telling her he wouldn’t stop until whoever did this was hung from the gates of the castle, was unlike anything she’d encountered.

He patiently listened to even the smallest of complaints about loose stones in the road outside a resident’s house, never once raising his voice or dismissing a concern.

She could see why the people had elected him.

Why he’d likely win again.

Lessia was grinning from ear to ear by the time she reached Amalise and Ardow.

Although the attack and what Venko told her last night lingered in her mind, she had too much to be happy about.

The election would soon be over, and so, hopefully, would be her entanglement with the king.

Loche would surely be elected again, and she believed him when he said life would be better.

And her friends were here—had seen her success during the debate.

Dragging them both into her arms, she let out a deep breath, the constant tension in her body easing.

When she pulled back, Amalise patted her arm. “You did amazing. I knew you would, but I had no idea you knew so much about harvest or taxes.”

Lessia wiggled her brows. “I may have done some homework.”

“Ever the overperformer.” Ardow chuckled. “You might even win this whole thing.”

Lessia batted him away. “You know as well as I do that I won’t. But Loche did great, didn’t he? I think the next five years will be quite good under his rule.”

Ardow’s features darkened, and he lowered his voice as he glanced behind them. “He’s really got you under his spell, then. I wondered, but I thought you were cleverer than that, Lia.”

She shared a look with Amalise.

When Amalise only shrugged, she frowned at Ardow. “What do you mean?”

Dragging them both with him into a corner, a safe distance from the people who lingered in the room and from the guards who hadn’t yet started following people up into the sitting room where food was going to be served, Ardow spoke urgently.

“He is not good, Lessia. I don’t know how you cannot see it, but he’s dangerous. You need to stay away from him.”

Apprehension churned in her gut, and as she turned her head over her shoulder, she caught Loche’s dark eyes from where he stood by Zaddock’s side in the doorway.

His mouth lifted when their gazes locked, and she couldn’t help but offer him a small smile in return. Averting her eyes, she forced herself to keep the smile as she turned back to Ardow and Amalise.

Like Amalise, Ardow was protective over her.

He had been ever since he’d figured out her backstory.

But he was wrong about Loche.

Loche was many things, but her instincts told her she could trust him to care for Ellow.

Perhaps even care for her.

“You sound like Merrick,” she joked. “Are you two conspiring?”

When Ardow stiffened, her eyes widened. “ Are you two talking? ”

He shook his head. “Of course not. But if he’s warned you against Loche, he’s right. It’s dangerous to spend time with him, Lessia. And based on your interaction earlier, it seems you’re spending more time together than I thought.”

“You almost sound jealous, Ardow,” Amalise scoffed. “If Lessia has found someone to keep her interest, leave her be. I, for one, think he’s perfect. Handsome, powerful, and clever? And interested in our Lia. I’m supportive.”

“You don’t understand—” Ardow started, but Lessia interrupted him.

“I don’t know what you have against him, Ardow. But he’s a good man. He might be frustrating and annoying and impossible to figure out, but he’s good.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

Her heart stopped, and she spun around, finding her face one inch from Loche’s amused one.

“We—we—uh,” she stuttered.

“Were just talking about me? I’m flattered.” Loche grinned. “If you’re finished, there is a whole dessert table waiting for you upstairs. I’ve heard you can’t turn down delicious cakes.”

She let out a low laugh. “Keep track of me much?”

“Always.” Loche chuckled, offering her his arm. “Come on.”

Reaching out a hand for Amalise, she took Loche’s arm, ignoring the hard look from Ardow as they ventured upstairs.

Zaddock fell into step with them, trying to get Amalise to talk about the debate, but she promptly ignored his questions, only grimacing at Lessia when she raised a brow.

Merrick was nowhere to be seen when she looked for him as they walked up the stairs, but given he seemed to have been out all night, Lessia guessed he might have retreated to his chambers .

When they entered the hall, she realized Loche hadn’t exaggerated about the abundance of food.

As he slipped away to talk to someone who called out for him, she took in the room.

Several long tables had been brought into the ballroom, one entirely dedicated to desserts, with cakes and candies and whatever else Lessia could imagine.

It seemed as if everyone from the debate had decided to join, the room full of people eating and mingling, some sitting down in the chairs spread out across the space and some taking to the small dance floor that formed to the left.

After stuffing her mouth full of everything she could find, Lessia slumped down into one of the plush chairs by the fireplace while Amalise sat on the armrest.

Ardow mumbled something about having business to attend to, and Lessia thought for a second about convincing him to stay. But she was still annoyed he’d ruined her buzz after the debate, so with a quick hug—that held none of the warmth they typically entailed—she offered him a quiet goodbye.

“So… Loche?” Amalise grinned.

Lessia peeked at him out of the corner of her eye.

He stood together with Zaddock and a few other of his guards by one of the drinks tables, but as soon as her eyes landed on him, he looked her way, and her stomach flipped at the magnetic pull of his gaze.

Looking down at the cup of water in her hands, she shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe Ardow is right. I probably should stay away from him.”

Her friend placed a hand on her shoulder. “Stop overthinking this. I’ve never seen you like this. Look at you. You’re blushing!”

Amalise leaned in closer. “And he’s still staring. ”

Lessia dared a quick glance his way, and sure enough, his eyes clashed with hers again.

Squeezing her shoulder, Amalise got to her feet. “I’ll go see what’s up with Ardow, and I suggest you go over there and talk to the man. The Lessia I know isn’t afraid of anything, least of all a man. Have some fun tonight—you deserve it!”

When Amalise left the room, once again ignoring Zaddock, who tried to stop her, Lessia sucked in a breath. Every nerve inside her sparked as she turned Loche’s way, a fire igniting inside her when she found him already on the way over.

As he reached her, he jerked his head toward the bustling dance floor. “Will you join me for a victory dance?”

Nodding, she let him pull her onto the dance floor, allowing herself to stop thinking as he spun her around, even letting herself rest her head against him when the music slowed, melting against his broad chest.