Page 56 of Façade

Mortification burned my cheeks. “Everyone saw—the day has scarcely started and already it’s a disaster.”

He rested a comforting hand against the base of my back. “For the time being wearemarried, so no one thought anything of it.” There he was, beingconsiderateagain…but it seemed he couldn’t remain out of character for long. “Frankly I’m surprised you slept at all considering you were forced to bunk with a rather charming fellow.”

And there was the discourtesy I’d been expecting, accompanied by his rather adorable teasing smile and grey eyes glistening with mischief. He seemed determined to aggravate me thoroughly, for he leaned towards my ear.

“The one downside with this arrangement you likely didn’t pause to consider when you snuggled up to me is that now everyone is under the impression that you actually like me.” He winked.

I more than merelylikedhim. That was the problem with this entire scenario. I wanted to go back to being enemies…but my relationship with him had become too precious to me; I couldn’t lose him, even as we were on a journey to do that very thing.

I whacked his chest…only for my hand to linger a few seconds longer than it should, which caused more unsettling emotions to stir my heart, feelings that were rather inconvenient and entirely unwelcome. It was already difficult enough to juggle my lost identity, the duties to protect my kingdom from exploitation, and last night’s unexplained powers without having to also tackle my husband’s annoying appeal.

I yanked my hand away, but rather than giving me a much-needed reprieve, it appeared the scoundrel had more in mind with which to torture me. He raised a single eyebrow as his gaze flickered to my hair, a silent indication that I had another mortifying experience to deal with. I bit my lip and, after a moment’s hesitation, reached up to feel my hair. Just as I feared, it was wound in its usual tangle of knots and stuck up at all angles, not even close to being presentable.

“Is it as bad as it feels?” I asked, dreading the answer.

He tilted his head to better study it. “That’s a matter of perception, and considering I’m still bound by husbandly duties, forgive me if I choose to be wary of my words in case this is your usual morning appearance.” His thumb lightly caressed my blush-stained cheek, causing it to tingle with heat. “I rather like it. It suits your free spirit.”

His touch moved from my face to stroke a wayward strand of hair near my jaw. My first instinct was to jolt away, but for some reason I couldn’t move, rendered entirely still by the rather pleasant feeling tickling my stomach from such a simple touch. After a beautiful yet equally torturous moment he withdrew his hand, but not before his fingers returned to my cheek. This time Ididpull away, too overcome by the warm shudders tingling my skin to think coherently.

He yanked his hand back. “I’m sorry, I—”

“It’s alright,” I managed breathlessly. “Consider it your revenge against me after waking up to find me…nestled far too close.”

“Revengeseems too strong a word considering I didn’t particularly mind the arrangement.”

My stomach jolted. What did he mean by that? The unspoken question lingered in the space between us, now filled with an almost heated energy that only escalated the awkwardness.

What was happening between us?

The alluring aroma of the eggs and meat cooking over the popping embers finally drew my gaze away from where it had no business drifting and towards the guards nearby. The delicious scent curled around my nose, beckoning me to leave my shelter of blankets to rejoin the real world and all the problems awaiting me there…yet I didn’t immediately move, the part of me that didn’t want this moment between Ryland and me to end.

I gave my head a rigid shake.Don’t be ridiculous.A single night sleeping beside the prince is not a foundation for a healthy marriage.

As if the scoundrel was determined to strengthen this weak foundation, for the remainder of the morning he behaved far more agreeably than when we’d initially set out, a continuation of the friendship we’d begun forging when we’d gone wading in the river, as if our single night together had been enough to shift everything between us.

This strange new energy continued for the remainder of the morning. Though we didn’t converse during breakfast, even without words I somehow felt closer to Ryland, especially after we began exchanging several covert looks and even the occasional smile. I did my best to avoid his eyes, but even then I could still feel his gaze watching me almost as often as I yearned to watch him, a heated stare far different than the judgmental ones I’d grown accustomed to from the members of the court—this one was kind, curious, and gentle.

Ryland finished eating before me and wandered first towards the stream, then to the fire. I tried not to pay him any attention, so I wasn’t sure what he was doing until upon finishing my own meal he approached with a basin of warm water whose heat seeped through the porcelain basin to enfold my hands when I accepted it with a quizzical look.

Bashfulness shrouded him as he scratched the back of his neck and avoided my eyes. “I asked your maid for ideas for how I can make the journey more comfortable for you, and she informed me you always wash your hands and face after breakfast with warm water.” Without another word he left to assist the guards with preparing the horses, leaving me staring after him.

This wasn’t his only thoughtful consideration throughout the morning. When the time came to depart, I discovered a handkerchief atop my saddle. I stood on tiptoe so I could reach it and carefully unwrapped it to reveal my favorite berries that I’d often picked during yesterday’s breaks whenever I discovered some in the nearby bushes. I hadn’t realized he’d noticed; not only had he, but he’d taken the trouble to ensure I had some for the first leg of today’s journey.

I caressed each berry with my fingertip before popping one in my mouth, a taste that burst with unusually acute sweetness. I glanced towards Ryland saddling his horse; somehow even the firm contours of his cloaked back were enough to set my heart pounding.

Yet a hint of competitiveness mingled with the warmth from his unexpected gesture. Ryland was being far too kind, especially considering the circumstances. Even if his motives were solely done in pursuit of his goal of marrying the true Estorian princess to acquire her magic, I still couldn’t bear the thought of being outdone by him, even in such an instance as this.

I nibbled my lip, considering the dilemma, before settling on an idea. Before he lifted himself into his saddle, I took one of my lighter saddlebags and approached. “Would you like me to help you carry some of your rocks?”

His expression was solemn as he faced me with twinkling eyes and lifted brows. “It appears yesterday’s suspicion was correct: the princess is both an imposter and a rock thief.”

I lifted my chin. “I embody a variety of roles, specializing in those I know will be a trial to you.”

He looked tempted to laugh but managed to curb the impulse. “Life is never dull with you around to keep me on my toes.” Some of his mischief faded, replaced by a glimmer of sadness, a reminder of our impending annulment…but the emotion disappeared almost immediately, making me wonder whether I’d imagined it.

I forced away my own swell of emotion that accompanied the dreary thought of our separation and stepped close enough to steal a peek inside his saddlebag. As I suspected, it was bursting with rocks of all shapes and sizes. From the jostling sound emanating from his cloak with every movement, he’d already gathered several more this morning alone.

“What types of rocks have you found?”

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