Page 30 of Vicious Little Vows
Crispin paused halfway to his seat, obviously caught off guard by Rian’s words. Recovering, he sat. “I imagine she doesnot know my role within the court, only that I am involved with Eva.”
Involvedreally could mean so many different things, none of which I would be explaining to cranky Rian. “Did Dawn say if she was running late?” I asked innocently.
Rian’s eyes drifted toward me, but snagged on Ringo hiding in my hair. To his credit, he did not comment. “She will be here soon.”
When he said nothing else, the awkward silence stretched on. I really should have known to take my time getting ready. Would have been nice to be the late ones.
A male server dressed similarly to the woman who’d tried to seat us, except with even tighter pants, took our drink orders and headed off. Crispin and I had both gone first, ordering wine since we were at a wine bar, but we might have thought better of it if Rian had gone first instead. He ordered hot chamomile tea. I was surprised the restaurant even had it.
I swirled my finger around the rim of my water glass, stopping when I realized Rian was watching me.
“You’re the human Francis has allowed into our court.” He narrowed his eyes, their dark depths shining like onyx in the low lighting. “There was much speculation on why. No one assumed you were dating the errant wizard.”
Crispin flinched at his words. “Yes, well, being close to the king does afford certain luxuries.”
I had planned on being honest that Crispin and I weren’t actually dating, but looking at him, I realized it was best to play along. We certainly didn’t want Rian or any of the other nobles questioning what their king might want with a half celestial. It was better to think I was simply a guest of Crispin’s.
“Like the king’s protection for your paramour?” Rian pressed.
Gods, where in the hells was Dawn? I was about to let slip a snarky remark when Crispin’s hand found my knee under the table, giving it a light squeeze. I warmed at his touch.
“It is her friendship with Princess Millelena that affords her that particular standing. To keep the princess safe, you see.”
Rian pursed his lips, but seemed maybe a little less suspicious than before. Then his attention turned from us as the server brought our drinks.
I had ordered a cabernet with a quirky name that caught my eye, and took a hearty gulp as soon as the glass was in my hand. The server raised a brow at me, but sauntered off when we told him we’d wait on our fourth person to order food. This statement elicited a sigh from Ringo, who buried his face against my neck when Rian looked at him again.
The elven noble lifted his teacup, but didn’t drink, allowing the steam to swirl before his ageless face. “Some believe the king plans in secret. He has no explanation for how Silvana and her people reached our realm. I’m told a few of our guards escorted them to the palace, but everyone is being unusually tight-lipped.”
Crispin shrugged, doing his best to look harmless. “I wouldn’t know anything about that. I’m just theerrant wizard, after all.”
To my surprise, Rian smirked. “I see.” He turned his attention back to me. “I know little of celestial magic, but Dawn speaks quite highly of you.”
I took another big gulp of my wine. He’d called me human before, but hedidknow I was a celestial. I wasn’t sure how much Dawn had told him, or if he’d already known her night runner was the same person visiting Emerald Heights. Hopefully if it was new information, it wouldn’t make the elven court speculate further about whatever their king was doing behind their backs.
I cleared my throat. “Um, yeah, Dawn and I go way back.”Hence my presence at this painful gathering, I added internally.
I slumped with relief at the sound of Dawn’s voice behind us. “Sorry, sorry.” Her low heels clacked as she stepped into view.
Rian and Crispin both stood like proper gentleman, and Rian pulled back Dawn’s chair for her, giving me a brief glimpse at how they might look as a couple. Though Rian had the typical elven height, Dawn was a full head taller. And where Dawn was slick and chic, a city girl through and through, Rian looked like he belonged in a remote estate with unicorns grazing out front. An odd couple indeed, but stranger things had happened. Strange, like me and each of the guys.
Dawn beamed at us all. “Eva, you look lovely!” She lifted a hand to flag the server.
My jaw fell open, and I didn’t manage to shut it until after she had placed her order. “You know, I don’t think you’veevercomplimented me.”
She waved me off. “I compliment you all the time, dear.”
Rian cleared his throat, then excused himself to the restroom. As soon as he had gone, the entire vibe changed.
Dawn leaned forward in her seat, displaying her impressive cleavage. “Why the hells is your devil loitering outside? This was supposed to be a date with your elven beau, to make Rian more comfortable.”
I snorted. “Oh, he isn’t the one who’suncomfortable. Has he asked you much about me? He spent the last five minutes grilling us about my presence in the elven court.”
Her gaze darkened. “Considering you haven’t even toldmeprecisely what is going on there, there’s not much I can say to him, now is there?”
She had a point, and it made me glad I’d kept Dawn on a need to know basis. She might know about the bounty, but so dideveryone else. I just hoped Rian wasn’tdatingher because of her connection to me.
Crispin tapped my leg, and I bit back my next words. A moment later, Rian returned, resuming his seat beside Dawn. Giving me a warning look, Dawn turned to engage Rian in conversation.
