Chapter 185
Reeve was waiting for Kit, so she released the commander with a fond smile and turned to the other man. The Representative from Erast Hollow wasn’t one to call attention to himself, so she imagined the fact that he was waiting for her meant he was desperate for some time with her. It had been a while, and she knew she needed to remedy that.
“Are you enjoying your evening? You look troubled,” he asked as they began a slow waltz.
“Not anymore troubled than usual. Yes, it’s been lovely so far, thank you. And you?”
“It’s better now.”
Kit smiled at the compliment. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to spend much time with you recently. So much has been going on. I’ve missed you.”
“Don’t apologize, Princess. I understand. I’ve missed you as well, but when you have several duties to perform and many men to spend time with, it’s bound to come to this from time to time.”
“Still... I want to see you again. Soon.”
Reeve’s face lit up. “I’m glad to hear it. I was wondering... if you have time tomorrow. Would you like to go for a horseback ride? I know you declined the invitation to go with all of us the other day, but perhaps a short one? Just the two of us?”
Going over her schedule for the next day, Kit realized she had a few hours in the afternoon. “That would be delightful. Perhaps after the midday meal?”
His smile widened. “Perfect. I look forward to it.”
He didn’t say anything else for the duration of the song, only held her and moved around the dance floor expertly, Kit’s blue dress billowing around her, and she felt free of all of her concerns for a small moment in time.
When the dance was over, she sought out Jate because she knew he wouldn’t ask her to dance otherwise and then spun around the floor with several other Representatives before she made her way to Drake, who was standing on the outskirts of a group, not really participating in the conversation, his arms folded, and his expression thoughtful. It changed when he realized Kit was headed straight for him. His brown eyes softened, and a small smile pulled at the corners of his mouth.
Kit said hello to the others, but they could see who she was there to speak to and didn’t impede her. She stopped in front of Drake, who was a good foot and a half taller than her and looked up into his dark eyes. “Drake, I’m growing weary of all of this dancing. Would you mind accompanying me to my chambers?”
He looked around for a moment, as if he wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly, and then stooping asked, “Did you say to your chambers, Princess?”
“Yes. I’m ready to retire for the evening. I would like for you to join me. If you have no other plans.”
There was a snicker behind her, and though she wasn’t sure who the source was, she thought it might’ve been Zane. She didn’t pull her eyes away from Drake to find out.
“I... uh... no, I don’t have any other plans.” He unfolded his arms, looking embarrassed that he’d been standing that way in front of the princess to begin with, and offered her his arm.
Kit wrapped her hand around his bicep, difficult as that was, and let Drake lead her from the room. She tried not to catch any of the other men’s eyes because it always seemed a bit awkward to her on their behalf, but when Cassius called, “Good night, Princess!” in a sing song voice, she couldn’t help but turn his way. He waved and smiled, and her face turned bright red.
“He is... an unusual one, that Cassius,” Drake noted, pushing through the door and holding it for her.
“I agree, but what do you mean?”
“I mean, he always seems to be in a jovial mood, even when it seems slightly unreasonable to be so.”
Kit would have to disagree with that to a degree. If Drake had seen Cassius in the kitchen when Vin made that remark about her, he would know that Cassius wasn’t always so lighthearted. “I think he just enjoys making other people laugh and smile.”
“He’s very good at it.”
“Does it surprise you that he’s so easily able to accept me going off with another man?” Kit wondered how much it had bothered Drake to see her with the others all of this time.
He was quiet for a moment, only the clicking of their shoes on the marble filling the hall. “A bit, I suppose. That is, I understand that is the agreement we have entered into. And I have never found it difficult to bear, personally. But it seems to me that Cassius was your favorite until Eli became an option. Now, I wonder how he continues with a positive disposition knowing he may lose you.”
“That’s easy enough.” Kit glanced around and saw two members of her guard following at a distance. There was no one else in the hallway. She still kept her voice quiet when she responded but let the words flow freely between her lips. “Cassius knows he’ll never have to give me up because I don’t intend to choose.”
Drake almost stopped walking. He turned to look at her. “Whatever do you mean?”
“I will keep them all—the seven I designate. If there are seven. I think there shall be. Maybe more... but probably seven.” A few of the others she hadn’t decided upon yet came to mind. She still didn’t know what to do with Zane, Gavin, and Asher. Or Drake for that matter.
He was confused but he picked up his pace slightly. “Then how will you become queen?”
It was her turn to stop and look at him. “You already know the answer to that question don’t you?”
Slowly, Drake nodded his head. But he didn’t look distraught at her mention of the revolution. Kit saw a familiar flicker in his eyes, a flame that said he was ready. And the fact that he was smiling let her know she had renewed his hope that he, too, could be chosen by the princess.
