Page 56 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

I have no business being here.

His skin was flawless.

A princess knows prudence.

My lips covered his.

Chapter 22

Crimson Fudge

“We must celebrate!” Simon threw his hands in the air.

Simon’s tavern definitely hadn’t been on my list of possible places serving caramel fudge, yet Florence insisted it was the only place around here that had a great variety ofhuman desserts—as she called it.

The tavern was fairly small; the place overflowed with guests. Every table was occupied, others stood by the bar, some even outside. Laughter and lively conversations filled the establishment, leaving no room for sadness nor tears.

“We must indeed!” Florence agreed. She and Roxanne sat across from me, their hands in a tight embrace.

Florence had been eager to share the news the moment the three of us set foot inside the tavern with their best friend. Simon was thrilled there had been progress with the war efforts; he barely kept his hands from hugging the living spirit out of me. “I will get us some celebratory drinks,” he winked at our table. “Would you like anything specific?” Simon carefully turned to me.

Aware he had been asking whether or not I would drink blood on such an occasion, embarrassment creeped into my flesh. If only Simon had known what I’d done at the cabin. “Would you happen to have caramel fudge?” I avoided his true question entirely.

“Why, don’t insult me now.” He shoved his palm onto his heart, forcing a small smile across my face. “I will fetch you the finest caramel fudge ever made.” He winked as he turned toward the kitchen door that carried a bigno entrancesign.

“Did you have a chance to check on Francis before leaving?” Florence quietly asked Roxanne.

My chest tightened at the mention of his name, my neck grew warm. My fingers involuntarily flew toward my lips: the trace of Francis was still fresh on my skin.

As if keeping the most precious secret there was, I pretended I cared not to hear the reply.

“I did, he should wake within a few nights,” Roxanne nodded. “Thank generous Gods and the Moon it was silver, not Royal steel.”

“Thank generous Gods and the Moon,” Florence repeated Roxanne’s words, glancing at me carefully. “Are you feeling any better?” she asked. “Has your arm healed?”

Cold sweat covered my skin within seconds, ice wrapped around my heart unabling it from any movement. Shame spread through my veins, settling down deep in my stomach.

She’d seen the bite Francis had left me. Of course she had.

Have they seen the bite I left Francis as well?

I wished I could disappear into nothingness, fall into the depths of the ground underneath this building.

Instead, I put a smile on my face and pretended her question did not affect me in any way.