Page 61 of Villainess's Redemption
I felt his muscles tense beneath my hands and realized I was still touching him. I snatched them back as if burned.
The way his lips curved into that knowing smirk told me he’d noticed my discomfort. His thumb traced one final circle on my hip before he released me, and I fought the urge to shiver.
My mind finally caught up with the situation as Anderic released his hold on my waist. Heat rose to my cheeks - partly from embarrassment, partly from anger.
“What were you thinking?” I rounded on him, hands on my hips. “That soup was scalding hot! You could have been seriously burned!”
His lips twitched. “Would you prefer I let you get scalded instead?”
“I would have dodged!”
Behind us, Penelope was still stammering apologies. “Your Highness, I’m so terribly sorry. Please let me make amends…”
“You may leave.” Anderic’s voice held no room for argument. Penelope’s face fell as she gathered her skirts and hurried away, her maid scurrying after her.
Good riddance.
I turned my attention back to Anderic, who was now sporting a rather large wet patch across his expensive white shirt.
“For heaven’s sake,” I moved behind him, examining the stains spreading across his pristine white shirt. “You didn’t have to play hero, Your Highness.”
I poked at his shoulder blade where an angry red patch was forming. He didn’t even flinch. “You’re burned. We need to get this treated before it blisters.” When he didn’t respond, I moved to face him. “Eric, are you even listening to me?”
His eyes snapped to mine, an intensity in them that made my breath catch. The afternoon sun caught his golden curls, creating a halo effect that seemed absurdly appropriate for his angelic features. But there was nothing angelic about the way he was looking at me.
I waved my hand in front of his face. “Hello? Earth to Eric? Was any of that scalding soup absorbed by your brain?”
His hand shot out, catching my wrist mid-wave.
“What?”
“You called me Eric.” Ah. The childhood nickname I used to call him.
Heat crept up my neck. My breath caught. The way he said it - soft, almost reverent - made my heart stutter. His thumb traced circles on my palm, sending shivers up my arm. “I… that’s not…”
“ERIC!” Sebastian’s voice boomed across the garden. “Are you bullying my sister again?”
I jerked away from Anderic as if burned, my heart thundering in my chest. Taking several hasty steps back as Sebastian approached with long strides, his green eyes—so similar to mine—dancing with mischief, completely oblivious to the tension he’d interrupted.
“Quite the opposite,” Anderic drawled, not taking his eyes off me. “I was just saving your dear sister from some unfortunate soup-related accidents.”
Oh gods.The weight of Anderic’s dagger, still tucked away in my chambers, seemed to mock me from afar. I had totally forgotten to return it. Here he was, playing hero, while I’d been hoarding his weapon like some deranged magpie.
Seb will kill me.
“I should go,” I blurted, gathering my skirts, desperate to escape before Sebastian could start asking questions. “You two catch up. I’m sure you have much to discuss.”
“Lya, wait-” Sebastian called after me.
But I was already running, my slippers barely touching the ground as I ran.Decorum be damned.
Behind me, I heard Sebastian ask, “What did you do to make her run like that?”
What did he do indeed?The real question was - what was he doing to my heart?
* * *
“My lady, I can’t help but notice you seem… distracted.” Laurel’svoice held barely contained glee as she helped me change for the evening.
