A Thief of Nightshade(76)

“No,” she whimpered, “and I don’t want to hear some smart-ass remark about needing to learn.” She took a couple quick gulps of air.

Aislinn smiled at the way she clung to him, yet fussed at him all the same.

Merrial had been tightly bent on never showing emotion of any kind, be it fear, or need or affection, save when she had nightshade in her system. She’d reminded him of a perfect painting—beautiful but one-dimensional. Given, on the other hand, was real and unapologetic. She challenged him, fought him for every point she made and held no shame at all in reaching for him, having faith that he’d be there when she did. It reminded him of the way she’d kissed him; sweetly, yet with all the passion and fire in the world. She was mad at him all right, but there had been no question on her lips when they’d touched his. She knew he’d respond. And lord, how he’d responded. He laughed again.

“I’m glad one of us is in good spirits.” Her breath hitched as he shifted to prop his feet back against the opposite wall.

“Do you really think I’d let you drown?” he asked, amused.

“Do you really want me to answer that?”

He grinned. “I won’t let you go, I promise.” When she didn’t immediately retort, he added. “What? You don’t think my word is worth much, do you?”

“Oh no, I think your word is just fine.

In fact, I believe if anything has withstood the trial you’ve endured these last ten years, it’s your pride.”

He lifted his brows. “And what could you possibly know of my life before this, trial? You’re what ... twenty?”

“Twenty-two and I know a lot more than you suspect.”

“Oh? Like what?”

She hesitated. “I know you have two children. Ben is thirteen this year, Hannah eleven. Hannah has your eyes, as it turns out.”

“You’ve seen them?” Just hearing their names again made Aislinn feel hollow inside.

“Your sister Rebecca is raising them, which is why I didn’t know who Merrial was when you spoke of her. They never say her name.”

He’d assumed Rebecca was dead.

“When did you—”

“I went to them to see how much they knew and wound up staying with them for two days before I found you and Aubrey at the Crimson Stair. I suspected Tabor would send you to see the madame.”

“They didn’t say her name, but did they say anything of their mother? Where she is?”

Given nodded once. “She died years ago. Most of your family was told that you were dead—executed by the Sidhe. I told them the truth.”

“I tried to find them while we were in Rheavon. The lights were off so I assumed they were asleep. I never would have imagined they weren’t there. Are they happy?”

“Yes, but you’re missed. Ben has most of your things, but he’s allowed Hannah possession of a raggedy stuffed rabbit. She carts it with her everywhere. It looks ancient. I made the assumption that it was a childhood toy of yours?”

Aislinn couldn’t contain how grateful he was that Rebecca had the children or the tears in his eyes as a result of his relief. Rebecca was younger than him by a few years, but precious and was likely a wonderful mother. He considered wiping his face but with wet hands, it was a bit for naught. “I remember that rabbit; Jullian and I both had one. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

She leaned toward him with a smirk on her face. “Um, it could have something to do with you hating my guts and wishing nothing for me but a slow and painful death. Maybe ... I’m just guessing here.

You know, you’ve really been a jerk.”

“Yes, I know. I’m hotheaded, incredibly selfish at times, completely inconsiderate. I’ve never met a meal that I couldn’t get along with. I’m arrogant, a damn good archer and coincidently, I’ve never wished you a slow or painful death.”

She rolled her eyes. “Okay, quick and merciless. Same result.”

“If you really thought that, then why did you kiss me?” He tipped her chin up with his knuckles and was pleased to see her fight a smile. “Hmm?”

“It shut you up, didn’t it?”

“Oh, is that why?” Since Given was securely on his lap, Aislinn let go, leaned back and locked his hands casually behind his head. “And here I thought it was because you found me irresistible.”

“How could any woman have possibly been persuaded to marry you?

You’re such an ass.”

“A royal ass,” he offered.

“Hardly an excuse.”

He shrugged. “And that was hardly an answer to my question, your highness.”

Given squirmed where she sat, refused to either answer him or meet his gaze, but considering how limited her options were she was stuck with him for now.

“Ian seemed quite taken with you. All right, a lot taken with you,” Aislinn said.

“Was his affection unrequited?”

“Shouldn’t we be talking about finding a way out of here?”

“So you do love him?” Aislinn surprised himself with the amount of disappointment he heard in his tone.

“He was a dear friend, nothing more.

He’d gotten my Uncle’s permission to marry me, which he incorrectly assumed would be the only thing that mattered. He was more than a little surprised when I refused him.”