Page 36 of A Touch of Iron
“If I could tell, so could everyone else. Why’d you do it?”
I shrugged. “I guess I didn’t want that sort of spotlight on me. At least not yet.”
“Well, it didn’t have the intended effect.” Alec scooted down the bed to sit on the edge. “Jon and the others are extremely excited. With Rook out of the picture, we should consider getting you some extra protection.”
I sat on the edge of the bed beside him. “If you want to, but honestly, I feel like I can handle myself.”
“You say that now, but wait until something actually happens. I won’t always be around,” he said softly.
I peered over at him. “And who said I needed you?”
He smirked. “You’ll always need me.”
I pushed him and laughed. “In your dreams.”
“Always,” he said quietly.
Tension mounted in the stillness and I began to fidget. Something had simmered between us from the first moment we met. Now I didn’t know what to think of our friendship … or relationship. Before, I was with Ansel and I didn’t allow myself to think about his brother. But now that he was out of the picture, my thoughts were consumed by Alec. I didn’t know what to think, much less say.
“Vi …” he whispered, inching closer.
“Yes?”
“Do you … do you want to take a trip to the village?” he asked suddenly, which was the complete opposite of what I thought he was going to say.
“Uh … sure.” I stood and flashed him a brilliant smile. “Yeah, that would be great.”
Leaving this room and being around other people was probably for the best. Getting involved with Alec was a complication I didn’t need in my life. It was hard enough just staying alive.
“Perfect.” He stood and grabbed my hand. Without another word, we jogged through the hallways and out of the castle.
* * *
We enteredthe village just as night fell, lured by the twinkling lights, savory smells, and music that invited you to tap your feet. Alec kept a tight grip on my hand and I didn’t make any moves to release his, either. Maybe it was silly, but I felt safe with him. How had I not noticed it before?
“Do you want an order of sweet buns?” Alec asked as we strolled by a food cart. “There’s also pork belly-filled buns that are really good.”
“Oh, definitely the pork belly … Actually, can I have both?” He laughed and shook his head, then placed our order.
The old lady manning the cart smiled as she filled two paper bags with buns. “You make a nice-looking couple.”
We unwrapped our hands with a start, stumbling over each other in our haste to assure the woman we weren’t, in fact, a couple.
“Sorry,” I murmured and looked away. “I didn’t mean to …”
“It’s okay,” he assured me, turning his attention to the lady as he paid her and took the paper bags filled with sweet and savory treats. Alec handed me a bag and we walked along the streets, watching the street performers.
With the first bite, I nearly melted right then and there. It was that delicious. “Do you come here often?” I instantly cringed, hating how much it sounded like a cheesy pick-up line. “Before I came here, I mean.”
“Uh … yeah, I guess so,” he said. “But it was never as fun as it is when I’m with you.”
I bit my bottom lip and looked away, feeling my face heat. We continued along the path, eating in silence until we finished our buns. Alec took my empty bag and tossed it into a trash can. This time around, there was no dancing or singing. He and I were bystanders awkwardly observing everyone else having fun. The tension between us was palpable.
I pointed to a storefront down the street. “What’s that over there?”
“It’s a candy store, but it’s been closed a couple months now. I think even before you arrived. Contrary to what you might think, it’s difficult maintaining a business in the center of the village.” He nodded toward the structure. “Come on, there’s still stuff inside you can look at.”
We headed away from all the commotion of the street performers and toward the desolate section that housed the shuttered candy store. I noticed it wasn’t the only place out of business. Many of the storefronts were closed.
