Briar shot her a sly smirk. “Plans?”
Emmery dragged a hand down her face as her insides partook in a series of somersaults and twists of dread. The long, tediousride had zapped the strength from her muscles and sunset couldn’t be more than an hour away. He couldn’t possibly have what she thought in mind. Emmery leaned into Briar, her voice low, to ask, “Are you staying long?”
“As long as Old Thorny lets me.” Briar angled her head toward the King.
Arms crossed, Destonne tapped his foot impatiently on the marble, a glimmer of amusement in his expression. Emmery had desperately hoped he would overlook the lessons today. It seemed she wasn’t that lucky.
“Do you need me?” Briar asked, the unspoken promise in her question:I’ll be your backup. Say the word.
Emmery shook her head and raised her brows at Destonne who studied her like a magic trick—too fascinating to look away for fear of missing a crucial detail or sleight of hand. “I’ll tell you later. Give Fionn a hug for me.”
Briar snatched her up in one last bone-shattering squeeze then followed Brennen up the stairs to Fionn’s chambers.
As Destonne sauntered to Emmery, his obnoxious grace struck the floor with each step. His eyes skimmed down her body and she fought the urge to cross her arms.
“You’ll need to change. I’ll have Talia prepare something for you.” He spun on his heel and strode down the corridor, then called over his shoulder, “Don’t forget your water wings.” His hearty chuckle ricocheted off the barren walls as Destonne disappeared down the hall.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
EMMERY
Though Emmery dragged her feet, bone tired, and wrung emotionally dry, Destonne insisted they go to a nearby pond a short walk from the castle grounds for their first lesson.
The surprisingly private pond hid behind a blanket of leaves, vines, and a canopy of trees smothered in red and orange flowers. Dappled sunlight broke through the slivers of space despite dusk’s dark embrace. The wind stirred a sprinkle of petals free from the tree and, like confetti, each petal cascaded into the crystalline surface below. A soft pitter-patter sounded from the shallow waterfall, an echo of ripples answering each droplet. Beautiful inadequately described the serenity andstorybook quality of this place. If a talking deer emerged from the brush, winked at her, and sang a bawdy tavern tune, she wouldn’t be surprised.
Destonne had chosen a good place to swim with no crashing waves or riotous tides, only calm, still blue. The downside? Creatures swam within those waters, ones that made Emmery’s skin crawl, though it didn’t seem to bother Destonne. In fact the proud tilt of his lips told her he shared this place with her like some long-kept secret.
Now, at the water’s edge, Emmery glowered at the water as if it were made of hot coals. Who could blame her when the pond hungrily glared back and could claim her life in one giant swallow?
Aera eyed the pond in the same way and refused to draw nearer like a creature after Emmery’s heart. Instead Aera darted into the trees with a flap of her onyx wings to chase the birds while she snickered a foxy sound in response to their panicked squawks.
Emmery made a mental note to bring them apologetic birdseed.
Another breeze swept in and she shivered. She wrapped her arms around herself in defense against the cold and clamped her teeth together to keep them from chattering. Itwaswinter after all. And Emmery couldn’t help but notice, like the castle grounds, lush foliage garnished this place.
“Do your gardeners tend to these trees too?” she asked. She threw Destonne an accusatory side eye.
“They did.” Hands shoved in his pockets, he stared at the pond.Did. Interesting. “This is private land. It’s over a hot spring.”
Hot spring? Just the word brought a flush of heat to Emmery’s chilled skin. She studied the water but it gave no impressionof warmth. Maybe he manufactured the lie to coax her in then laugh at her torment.
“But you’re sharing it with me?”
“It felt like a good place to share.” His dark curls ruffled in the breeze. “And what a privilege to spend the evening in my incomparable company. Do remember that when you’re cursing my name later.”
And it wouldverylikely be the case since this felt like punishment.
Destonne raised a brow at her quivering form. “Cold?”
Emmery scowled at him. Talia had dressed her in a flimsy pair of skin forming black shorts and a matching sleeveless shirt despite her protests. The tiny garment barely hid her midriff, and if she raised her arms a band of skin poked out. Sure, it would be efficient to swim in, but right now, she was freezing her damn ass off. At least she had her cloak, but it didn’t do much to ward off the biting chill.
“What do you think? And why do I have to wear this and you’re fully clothed?”
He gave her a smug look that curled her stomach. A flush crept up her neck as the unintentional meaning of her words sank in.
“Shall I undress for you? Level the playing field?” Destonne crossed his arms over his chest and his biceps strained beneath his shirt sleeves. His eyes held that glimmer she’d grown so damned tired of. Gods above, this man would surely drive her mad. She didn't want to play his game tonight.
Emmery held her breath as Destonne slung off his cloak and draped it around her shoulders, layering it atop her own. A clean, soapy smell with a hint of that cool mint she associated with him clung to the fabric. It dragged along the ground, but he didn’t seem to care, nor did he seem cold without it.