Page 51 of Song of the Shadow Prince
“It’s me,” I growled.
She loosened her grip but didn’t let go. “What are you doing here?”
I snorted and let out a sarcastic laugh. “I was asking myself the same thing,” I murmured. “I… I heard about what happened at the luncheon.”
She swallowed and I felt the movement against my hand. “Oh? Did you come here because you were worried?” she chuckled. “I appreciate your concern, but I can handle myself.”
“While I don’t doubt that, I was still…”
“Worried?” she finished for me.
I scoffed. “No. Not at all.”
She snorted. “Okay. If you say so, Captain Obvious.”
I rolled my eyes and flexed my hand on her throat, seized by the impulse to squeeze her to death. “I thought you and my brother were…”
“Fucking? Yeah, no,” she snapped. “I’d rather jump off a cliff than fuck that little dimwit.”
I choked on a laugh but managed to keep a straight face. Half the things she said I didn’t understand, but they sounded funny and I was almost positive they didn’t reflect well on Julian. “There are rumors about the two of you.”
“Well, I’ll have to rectify that.” She flexed her hand on my throat. “The last thing I need is him ruining my pristine reputation,” she said sarcastically.
I snorted. “Right. Because you have such a wonderful reputation.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” she whispered as she took a step toward me. “Haven’t you heard?”
“No… I haven’t. Why don’t you tell me about it?” I stepped closer to her.
She laughed. “I’m not so self-centered that I would talk that highly of myself, Your Highness,” she whispered. “You’ll just have to hear about it from others, I guess.”
I smirked. “I guess so.”
“Now… are you going to release me, or are we going to stay like this all night?” she asked softly.
“I should be asking you that, Lady Arya. Are you going to release me?”
She laughed quietly. “I’m not known for giving others the upper hand. Why don’t we release each other at the same time. Fair?”
I nodded. “Fair. Count of three?”
“Count of three,” she repeated.
“One,” I said.
“Two,” she said.
“Three!” we said at the same time as we released each other and took a measured step away from one another.
“I see you’re a man of your word,” she murmured.
“As are you.” I could still feel her soft hand wrapped around my neck. “Why were you going to bed so late?”
“Reasons,” she cryptically offered. “Then again, you’re here at this ungodly hour, so you should thank me for being awake.”
“I have a favor to ask,” I whispered, going straight for what I’d come for.
“Oh? Now that’s surprising. And here I thought you’d actually come to see me because you were worried,” she snorted.
