Page 50 of All the Chaos of Constellations
Cyra gasped. “Did he try to calm you or is he as callous as everyone says?”
Asher watched as Novalise tilted her head, quietly considering his sister’s question. “He’s cruel, but in a dangerously appealing way. When he bit my bottom lip with his teeth, I’d never been more terrified or thrilled in my life.”
Bitter envy coursed through Asher, blinding him. There was something about Novalise’s tone that set his teeth on edge, like she’d enjoyed the shadow prince’s attention. Claws of jealousy sank into him, carving through his stomach and squeezing his heart in a vise.
“Asher?” Cyra’s voice drew his attention.
He jerked his head up only to realize he stood less than a few feet from his sister and Novalise.
“What a pleasant surprise.” Cyra offered him a cool, even smile. “You remember Lady Novalise?”
Damn her.
“Of course.” He bowed, never taking his eyes off Novalise. “My lady.”
She dipped her head, the coyest of smiles playing along the edge of her lips. “My lord.”
Asher snapped straight. He hadn’t expected her to be kind. It left him…uneasy.
Cyra broke through his muddled thoughts, patting the space on the bench in between herself and Lady Novalise. “Would you care to join us? You’ve been holed up in your study for hours. I don’t even think you’ve eaten. Or taken tea, for that matter.”
There was a flash in Novalise’s eyes.
He placed a hand over his heart. “I’m afraid I’ll be unable to join you. I’m on deadline for a…project and I’ve just realized I’ve neglected most of my duties for the Firelight Festival.”
“Then you’re lucky you have such a wonderful sister to help you.” Novalise folded her hands in her lap, demure and unbothered by his quick refusal. She looked up at him, fluttering her lashes, but a sheen of ice left her eyes frosty and cold. Novalise angled herself away from him, returning her attention to Cyra. “If you want, I can see if Prince Drake can join us? I’m sure he’d be more than willing to offer his assistance. Despite his vicious nature, he can be quite…giving.”
“That will be unnecessary.” Asher stepped closer, tucking his hands behind his back to keep himself from throwing his fist into the nearest wall. His gaze slid to his sister, who watched him like he was a child about to snatch a lollipop from a candy store. “What else do you need for preparations, Cyra?”
“I think I have everything under control. Though perhaps we should divide and conquer?” His sister stood, mischief sparking like wildfire in her gold eyes. “I’ll go into Emberspire for some last-minute decorations and you can show Lady Novalise to the cellar so she can select some wines for the Firelight Festival. How does that sound?”
Like he’d fallen headfirst into one of his sister’s traps.
“Like a carefully crafted plan,” he muttered.
“You know me so well.” Cyra’s smile only widened. “Lady Novalise, does that sound agreeable to you?”
She didn’t seem at all bothered by the proposition. He would’ve expected her to offer a counter suggestion or find a way to get out of being alone with him completely. Instead, she seemed charmed by the idea.
“I am quite fond of wine.”
“Then it’s settled.” Cyra clapped her hands together, far too giddy for Asher’s liking. “We’ll meet back here in two hours. Lady Novalise, would you care to stay for dinner?”
Asher maintained an expertly tight grip on his expression, though his jaw clenched until it ached and he was a breath away from strangling his younger sister.
He couldn’t believe Cyra was tempting fate. It was one thing to invite Lady Novalise to stay for tea, butdinner?
“I’m sure she has plans, Cyra. It’s enough that she’s already taken time out of her day to have tea and plan the Firelight Festival with you.” The silent challenge expanded between. “Lady Novalise is very busy. After all, she has a wedding to plan.”
This was it, he was offering her an out. A way to extend her gratitude and leave without causing any harm or insult. A means to be free from the guilt of being raised as a polite lady who never turned down an invitation to a social gathering.
“It’s true, my wedding is approaching rather quickly,” Novalise agreed easily. She moved, sidling up closer to him, and Asher’s lungs drew tight. “But since my opinion is of little consequence, it is my mother who takes care of such things.” She looked pointedly at Cyra. “I would love to stay for dinner.”
Lovely.
“Lovely!” Cyra clutched the hem of her skirt and dashed down the path, kicking up a few stones in her wake. “I’ll be back soon, but nottoosoon!”
He was really going to have to work with her on projecting the manners of a lady.
