Page 15 of Reign

Anju hesitated. “There’s one more thing, Your Royal Highness…. Your other guest just arrived as well.”

Other guest?Daphne shot Jefferson a puzzled glance, but his mouth had softened into an almost-smile.

“Ethan is here? That’s great.”

Daphne stumbled at the mention of Ethan, and Jefferson held out a hand to steady her, oblivious to her turmoil. “Daph, can you keep Ethan company while I talk to Anju?”

“Sure,” she said weakly, her mind fumbling to keep up. Ethan was back? And Jefferson hadn’t thought to mention it?

Of course, Jefferson had no idea of the complicated, twisted history between his fiancée and his best friend. And Daphne intended to keep it that way.

She had only just regained control of her breathing when an all-too-familiar figure trotted down the palace’s back steps.

“Ethan!” Jefferson said eagerly. “I’ll catch up with you and Daphne in a few, okay?”

He and the Lady Chamberlain started toward the palace, leaving Daphne and Ethan alone.

“Hey, Daphne,” Ethan said in an irritatingly casual tone.

Her eyes darted over him, taking in every detail of his appearance. He’d cut his hair shorter, and there was a Band-Aid on the back of his hand. His eyes looked lighter than she remembered, the irises more amber than brown.

“What are you doing here?” she asked coolly.

His eyes were locked on hers. “What do you think? I’m here for the wedding of the century.”

“You…he…” Daphne swallowed. “Jefferson told you?”

Ethan shrugged. “I’m the best man.”

Of course he was. Somehow, Daphne hadn’t considered the fact that she would be in a wedding where she’d slept with the best man. She hated how tawdry and clichéd it made her feel.

“You plan on being in Washington until New Year’s?” she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I didn’t realize you were having a New Year’s Eve wedding.” When Daphne nodded in confirmation, Ethan chuckled. “How typically Daphne. You want everyone in America to start the New Year thinking about you.”

The remark startled a laugh from her. Ethan’s eyes sparkled in surprised pleasure.

They were acting almost normal around each other. At least, as normal as could be expected given how they’d left things nearly half a year earlier, before Ethan went to Malaysia. Daphne had shamelessly thrown herself at him: told him that she loved him, begged him to stay.

And Ethan had walked away.

Of course, so much had happened since then. She’d wonJefferson back, andkepthim, despite Nina and Gabriella’s attempts to break them up. She was practically a princess.

“Daphne.” Ethan hesitated, the amusement fading from his gaze. “I heard about everything. Are you okay?”

She shifted her weight with a sigh. They were still standing outside, but far enough from the festivities that no one could overhear.

“I didn’t realize the news of my family’s disgrace had made it to Malaysia.”

“I’m sorry. I know this has been tough on you.” There was no hint of Ethan’s usual irreverence.

She kicked one heel back and forth in the grass. “My dad really messed up this time.”

“He did, but I’m not sure I blame the guy. I would bet on you too,” Ethan said softly. “Every time.”

Daphne looked up sharply. Ethan’s eyes had settled on hers, light glinting in their depths.

No.This was too dangerous. She knew better than to be alone with Ethan, not after everything that had happened between them.