Page 150 of An Archer's Redemption

“Kee,” I whispered as he bent to bury his face in my shoulder, something he hadneverdone. “Jess may be Queen, but she is a woman who loves you with all her heart. I see that in how she looks at you, how she lights up whenever you walk into a room. I hear it in her voice when she speaks to someone else, then turns to you. It’s in her touch and in her smile. Spirits, if she loved you any more, I think she’d combust.”

Keelan snorted into my shoulder.

“If you get snot on my tunic—”

He snorted again, then pretended to wipe his nose on my golden fabric.

I shoved him back.

“Thanks, little brother,” he said through a warm smile, then watched me strain to look at where his imaginary nasal drip had smeared.

I held his gaze. Doubt still swirled. I couldfeelit.

I glanced around the room to ensure we were still alone, then lowered my voice again.

“Do you love her?”

His whole face bunched up. “Of course I do. More than anything.”

“All right, then. What’s the problem?”

“Dec . . .” He started to tug at his collar, but I caught his hand and shook my head. “Sorry. It’s just . . . she’sa Queen, and I’m what? A local Constable from a foreign country? How is this going to work?”

I brushed my tunic out, then straightened my cloak. This was a ridiculous conversation.

“Fine time for you to ask those questions.”

“Right?” He flopped into a nearby chair.

“What’s the worst that can happen?”

He thought a moment. “I cause an international incident.”

I spat a laugh.

“What?”

“We just survived a war, not a year ago. I think you’re in the clear for international incidents.”

“Fine. Still—”

I kneeled and gripped his shoulders. The fucker was almost as tall as I was—and he was sitting.

“Look at me, Kee.” I waited until he didn’t shy away. “Someone is going to knock on that door any minute now, andwe are walking into the Throne Room where you are marrying the woman you love. There’s no getting out of this, so stop squirming. Jess needs to see that arrogant, puffed-up peacock she fell in love with. Spirits know why.”

“Hey! I’m not puffed up!”

“Fucking peacock.”

He shot to his feet and shoved me like he was about to rumble with his baby bro.

I hopped back.

“There’s the big brother I always looked up to.”

He froze and cocked his head like some dog who’d just heard the word, “treat.”

“You dumb ox.” I rolled my eyes with all the drama of a troupe. “Of courseI look up to you. I always have. I’m so damn proud to be your brother . . . Mother would be proud, too.”

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