Page 76 of The Devil In Blue
“It’s late,” he said. “Wouldn’t you rather be sleeping?”
“I…” I hesitated, clutching the book to my chest. “Truthfully, I was worried about Rune. He went to the woods and I know he just barely recovered from his last tussle with a beast.”
“You worried for him?”
“Well… yes.” I reached up, touching my necklace. “I suppose I’m seeing things a bit differently now since I…” I swallowed. “Since I spoke to Father Eli.”
“I imagine it might be overwhelming to open yourself to possibilities outside of what you’ve been told.”
“Very.”
“Well, worry no more. The king is fine.”
“He returned then?”
He nodded once, finally giving me a bit of space. “Driving away a gripson is nothing to fret over. They’re mere pests.”
“Perhaps I should see him,” I said, stepping forward to move past him.
He sidestepped and blocked me. My eyes darted up to his expressionless mask.
“Give him time,” he said. “I’m sure he would want to bathe. And it is late.”
“I don’t mind. And I know where his rooms are. I wandered there by accident once already.”
I moved the other way and Petris cut me off a second time. “I assure you, he’ll want to dine with you in the morning to apologize for his early leave.”
My brows furrowed for a split second before I chased the expression from my face. I’d learned to keep emotions out of my eyes to avoid questions and ridicule a long time ago and I put that skill into practice. But something was definitely strange about the way Petris was acting.
“If you’re worried, I can relay the message tonight and you can see him in the morning,” he added, further tickling my curiosity.
“No,” I said softly, shaking my head.
Subtly, my eyes skimmed down Petris’s long body and back up, noting his figure. For a man who claimed he was hideous beneath his mask, he had a flawless silhouette.
“Briar,” he muttered. “You’re blushing.”
I moved a hand to my cheek to feel heat beneath my palm. I had no excuse for it. None that would be believable or worth the time it would take to sound convincing.
“Thinking of the king?” Petris said, his tone deep and quiet.
My heart jumped a little and I pressed my lips together, unable to fabricate a response.
“Would you,” he said, stepping toward me. “Like me to relay that bit of information to the king as well?”
A shuddering breath crawled out of me and I felt my insides melt at the implication.
“I don’t think there’s a need.”
“No?”
“No. I think the king will figure it out soon enough.”
“Figure what out?”
“That… I don’t hate him.”
“Is that all?”
