Page 68 of Ties of Dust

“Never mind that,” Flora said quickly, wishing she’d never mentioned it.

She’d done well so far in preventing Cassius from digging too deeply into her own life. She shouldn’t invite his scrutiny now, with more important matters at stake.

“The real question,” she went on, “is why Sir Keavling is set against the alliance with Siqual.”

But Cassius wasn’t to be so easily distracted. His eyes remained fixed on her face, and he took a step nearer to her.

“Yes, that’s the question, but it’s nothing new.” Unexpectedly, he put a hand on her shoulder again. “I’m sorry you’re caught up in this mess, Flora. I’m sorry the stalling of the alliance has such a personally devastating effect on you.”

“Why are you apologizing?” she asked. “None of this is your doing.”

“But I failed to stop it,” he said. “I was responsible for my delegation, and I was too weak to keep control. And you’re paying the price for it.”

“You’re not weak, Cassius,” Flora said, alarmed by what she saw in his eyes. “No one thinks you’re weak.” Barely conscious of the gesture, she wrapped one arm around her waist, where the tether could be felt if they tested its limits. “I won’t deny that our situation is awkward. But to describe it as devastating is…well, a little unflattering.”

She sent him a crooked grin which he didn’t return. Instead he stared into her eyes with an intensity that made it hard to breathe.

“It’s devastating me,” he said, the words so quiet she couldn’t tell if he was speaking to her or himself.

Flora swallowed. His hand was heavy on her shoulder, and she was finding it hard to properly fill her lungs.

“Stay away from Sir Keavling as much as you can,” Cassius said abruptly. “Don’t let him draw you into conversation.”

“I won’t,” she assured him. “I’m good at being discreet, Cassius. I won’t give our tether away.”

He shook his head in frustration. “That’s not what I’m worried about.”

“Sir Keavlingiswhat you should be worried about,” Flora told him firmly. His demeanor had distracted her, but she suddenly remembered her observations from the dining room. “He’s not who he’s pretending to be, Cassius. I saw his mask slip back there. The real him came out for a moment.”

Cassius nodded. “Yes, there’s no doubt that he’s been putting on a front to convince my father of his sincerity.”

Flora shook her head. “It’s more than that. He’s not just being careful with the impression he makes. He’s playing a part. Wholly and completely. It’s not the same thing. I don’t know how to explain it better than that, but you have to trust me. I don’t think he’s who he says he is.”

Cassius frowned at her, his hand still on her shoulder for some reason. “I do trust you, Flora.” The words were so sincere, they brought the hint of a flush to Flora’s cheeks. “I have a feeling you have your own experience with what you’re describing.”

That brought out the rest of the flush. Flora dropped her eyes quickly, unable to stand the strength of his focus.

“I’m not hiding any nefarious schemes, Your Highness,” she tried.

“No, don’t you dare reintroduce my title,” Cassius said. “Your mask won’t work on me anymore, Flora. We’re tethered together, remember? I know you better than you think.”

His words woke a powerful ache inside her, one so potent it surprised her. The thought of being truly known was…tantalizing.

“I wasn’t accusing you of anything nefarious,” Cassiusadded. “I just meant that I take your words about Sir Keavling seriously.”

“Good,” said Flora. “You should.”

The prince bit his lip, his fingers gently kneading her shoulder in a gesture that seemed unconscious to him, but that made her insides melt into a puddle. How was his touch so soothing?

“I think I’ll launch an investigation of my own,” he said, his eyes unfocused. “A very quiet one. I want his papers examined by an expert. I want to know more about the death of his uncle.”

“That’s a good idea,” said Flora eagerly. “If there’s someone you can trust with the task, we should set that in motion immediately.”

“Yes.” For some reason, her words made Cassius smile. “We should.” He drew his hand back, taking a breath and assuming his more formal princely demeanor. “And we can’t do so from within this garden. Come on.”

Flora followed him out of the hedges, finding it harder than ever to play the part of guard. She caught herself in the foolish thought that she wished they could stay in the privacy of the garden forever, just the two of them, with Cassius’s hand on her shoulder.

Thoughts like that would bring her no peace.

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