Page 127 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

He had been ever since he’d figured out her backstory.

But he was wrong about Loche.

Loche was many things, but her instincts told her she could trust him to care for Ellow.

Perhaps even care for her.

“You sound like Merrick,” she joked. “Are you two conspiring?”

When Ardow stiffened, her eyes widened. “Areyou two talking?”

He shook his head. “Of course not. But if he’s warned you against Loche, he’s right. It’s dangerous to spend time with him, Lessia. And based on your interaction earlier, it seems you’re spending more time together than I thought.”

“You almost sound jealous, Ardow,” Amalise scoffed. “If Lessia has found someone to keep her interest, leave her be. I, for one, think he’s perfect. Handsome, powerful, and clever? And interested in our Lia. I’m supportive.”

“You don’t understand—” Ardow started, but Lessia interrupted him.

“I don’t know what you have against him, Ardow. But he’s a good man. He might be frustrating and annoying and impossible to figure out, but he’s good.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

Her heart stopped, and she spun around, finding her face one inch from Loche’s amused one.

“We—we—uh,” she stuttered.

“Were just talking about me? I’m flattered.” Loche grinned. “If you’re finished, there is a whole dessert table waiting for you upstairs. I’ve heard you can’t turn down delicious cakes.”

She let out a low laugh. “Keep track of me much?”

“Always.” Loche chuckled, offering her his arm. “Come on.”

Reaching out a hand for Amalise, she took Loche’s arm, ignoring the hard look from Ardow as they ventured upstairs.

Zaddock fell into step with them, trying to get Amalise to talk about the debate, but she promptly ignored his questions, only grimacing at Lessia when she raised a brow.

Merrick was nowhere to be seen when she looked for him as they walked up the stairs, but given he seemed to have been out all night, Lessia guessed he might have retreated to his chambers.

When they entered the hall, she realized Loche hadn’t exaggerated about the abundance of food.

As he slipped away to talk to someone who called out for him, she took in the room.

Several long tables had been brought into the ballroom, one entirely dedicated to desserts, with cakes and candies and whatever else Lessia could imagine. It seemed as if everyone from the debate had decided to join, the room full of people eating and mingling, some sitting down in the chairs spread out across the space and some taking to the small dance floor that formed to the left.

After stuffing her mouth full of everything she could find, Lessia slumped down into one of the plush chairs by the fireplace while Amalise sat on the armrest.

Ardow mumbled something about having business to attend to, and Lessia thought for a second about convincing him to stay. But she was still annoyed he’d ruined her buzz after the debate, so with a quick hug—that held none of the warmth they typically entailed—she offered him a quiet goodbye.

“So… Loche?” Amalise grinned.

Lessia peeked at him out of the corner of her eye.

He stood together with Zaddock and a few other of his guards by one of the drinks tables, but as soon as her eyes landed on him, he looked her way, and her stomach flipped at the magnetic pull of his gaze.

Looking down at the cup of water in her hands, she shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe Ardow is right. I probably should stay away from him.”

Her friend placed a hand on her shoulder. “Stop overthinking this. I’ve never seen you like this. Look at you. You’re blushing!”

Amalise leaned in closer. “And he’s still staring.”

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