Page 22 of City of Promise and Light (Mates of Gods and Fae #1)
Tightening his grip, Ambrose swung me around, twirling me as if we were in the middle of a dance, making me gasp.
Tension made my movements awkward, and another deep laugh rumbled through Ambrose’s chest as he turned back to Samian, giving him a wink before guiding us to the stairs.
I fought against the urge to look back, too afraid of what I would find if I did, so I kept my eyes forward and swallowed down the acid that rose in my throat.
Taking my arm and looping it through his, Ambrose led us through the palace, waving and smiling to all the women who passed us.
My body felt heavy with an irritation that grew with every long sigh that escaped from their lips.
Ambrose seemed to enjoy the attention, though.
He softly chuckled to himself before shifting his focus to the next set of ladies, their gazes sharpening on where my hand rested on his arm.
After passing the fifth group of women, my patience began to wane when Ambrose finally turned his attention to me.
“So, I heard you had quite the day yesterday. Going to the medical wing, seeing the library, exploring all the nooks and crannies of the palace. Tell me, did you find anything interesting?”
His tone was light and playful, like he was prodding me to spill all my secrets.
But my mind could only focus on one thing—how did he know?
“Are you having me followed?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
I tried to keep my tone just as light, but I couldn’t stop the hint of suspicion that wove through my words.
“Gods, no,” Ambrose laughed, his dazzling smile growing wide.
“Though there are a few busybodies that love to fill me in on anything I might have missed. Speaking of those busybodies, I would like to apologize on behalf of Arianna. After our meeting yesterday, I heard about your time with her in the dining hall. I know she can be a bit difficult; however, with time, I’m sure you’ll become fast friends. ”
Ambrose kept his face solemn, but there was a lightness in his tone that made my jaw clench.
He made it sound like our time in the dining hall was just a little argument.
Like a childish antic. But the memory of how adamant Arianna had been in her abuse crossed through my mind.
Her cold blue eyes gleamed with joy while her wretched laugh rang through the dining hall.
She knew all about how I lost my job and how Liam kicked me out.
I bristled at the flashback. I felt like I was just a joke between her and Ambrose.
Did they laugh about how incapable I was? The thought set me on edge.
Ambrose’s eyebrow rose, and I realized he was still waiting for me to respond. Pushing aside my uneasiness, I shook my head. “I’m not sure about that.”
Ambrose watched me thoughtfully for a moment before saying, “I know it may be difficult to see, but she does mean well. She is fiercely protective of those she cares for. I hope you can understand that and give her the benefit of the doubt.”
Something in Ambrose’s eyes made me hesitant to disagree with him, joking or not.
A cool feeling prickled through me, but quickly soothed into a quiet understanding as I thought about how I could have reacted.
My temper had always gotten the best out of me, especially in moments like the dining hall.
That hot rage took over so easily that I would often react before I knew what I was doing or even saying.
“I’ll try to get along with her,” I said softly, looking away.
“Good girl,” Ambrose hummed, gently patting my arm. For a moment, his approval had me fighting a smile, and I cursed myself for letting his words have that effect on me. “Now tell me, what did you learn about the palace yesterday?”
The tightness in my shoulders eased, and I flashed him a quick grin.
“I learned that every hallway looks almost the same.” I laughed shyly.
“But I was able to find enough small differences to help me learn my way around. Like the hall that leads to the library from my room has a small crack in the marble near the entrance of the hall.”
Frowning, Ambrose hummed a low tone of disapproval, but kept his face masked with an earnest interest. I knew his disapproval wasn’t toward me, but it didn’t stop me from wanting to apologize.
The rest of the walk through the palace was silent.
Ambrose’s mind seemed to be elsewhere, and I kept my breathing as steady as I could, tension wracking my body at the thought of upsetting him.
However, when we stepped onto the street outside the palace gates, Ambrose’s body relaxed as he breathed in the fresh air and took in the street around us.
“I noticed when you came to the library that you carried your books. I think the first thing we should do is find a bag for you to carry your things.” His eyes brightened as if another idea came to mind.
“Ah, I’ve got it,” he purred, moving back a step and slowly sliding his gaze down my body and back up again, making my face feel warm.
“We will go on a little shopping spree, and then we shall get something to eat and reenergize ourselves before seeing the sights of the city. How does that sound?”
“I think it sounds like too much,” I laughed. His excitement melted away any strain that had been there before. “I don’t have any money, and I have clothes that fit well enough.”
“Nonsense,” Ambrose exclaimed, stepping close enough to me that I could feel the heat from his powerful body.
“Though that tunic does fit you well,” he drawled, his smile turning wicked, “you need something worthy of your new status within the palace.
Something that not only shows off those delicious curves of yours, but also lets others know that you're not just a commoner .”
My cheeks flushed at his deep, sensuous voice and I shifted, trying to put some distance between us.
The way he had said commoner, like it was a disgraceful thing to be seen as one, didn’t sit right with me.
It was easy to lose myself in the pleasing timbre of his voice, easy to let that sound slide across my skin like velvet, but him saying commoner as an insult made me feel wary.
“According to everyone in the palace, that’s exactly what I am,” I muttered, my stomach twisting. “A commoner.”
“Not anymore.” Ambrose smiled sinfully.