Chapter 51
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Everette swung around to face Rina when she yanked his arm.
Nothing intense burned in his stare.
She carved out space for the knight, whose shyness caught her off guard.
Her own behavior felt out of character.
Anything on your mind?
Her words pressed him to speak fast.
She planted herself firmly in the road, unmoving.
He caught her stubborn vibe and faltered.
Then words tumbled out.
Business with Kyle kept you so long?
Eyes slid away after, face tinged with awkwardness.
Rina guessed jealousy simmered over their secluded midnight talk.
She twisted sharply, anchoring on his frame to capture his gaze.
Piqued about our discussion all this way?
Playful lilt in her voice flushed his ears scarlet beneath pale moonbeams.
Warmth crept over his cheeks.
He lifted their clasped hands to hide it.
She clamped down tighter and snagged his spare palm.
Feeble hold, barely childlike.
Ever since that second encounter and the bruise ringing her wrist, he’d dialed back his force.
Now doubly ensnared, frustration creased his brow.
Escape impossible.
Thirty years old, yet disarmingly endearing.
Rina tilted her chin up, grin stretching wide.
Should’ve spoken up straight.
Full truth stayed locked by pact.
Hints danced around clauses, though.
Kyle dangled recruitment.
Blue Falcon savvy would tip Everette off.
Tension rippled through his captured wrists.
Question never crossed my mind.
Embarrassment shadowed him.
Flirty undercurrents teased only her senses.
Lids hooded her eyes.
His golden irises roamed restlessly.
Doesn’t our connection invite those questions?
Petulant whine laced her tone without cause.
Dates piled up.
Envy earned its place.
She’d bristle too, swapped roles.
Fine, drop it.
Wrist freed with sharp flick, she spun aside.
Urgency gripped him.
Misunderstanding.
Jealous displays shame nobility.
Age gulf rarely yawned wide before.
Now it gaped.
Quaint rule from tomes fossilized before our parents drew breath?
Disgust shoved her farther.
He shadowed the gap precisely.
Useless pursuit.
Not quite that prehistoric in their day.
Wronged plea edged his voice.
Old noble creed shunned raw feelings.
Composure crowned virtue.
Plebeian tales swept salons lately.
Traditions cracked.
Pockets of elites clung to icy reserve.
Eastern upbringing maybe.
Lowborn loves bloomed wild.
His caution charmed regardless.
Vigil out front too?
Deflection crumbled under flickering gaze.
Amusement bubbled from her throat.
Strict tutors drilled isolation risks for unwed peers.
Lady’s name muddied sans escort.
No guard meant cracked doors, eyes nearby.
Palace detour explained perhaps.
Kyle’s open-door nudge resurfaced.
Earl’s rank courted crown whispers.
Cafe masked eccentric leanings.
Her faux pas slid by unscathed.
Everette channeled relic dynasty polish sometimes.
Chaperone flair, decorum clamps.
Connie flagged eastern peasant origins.
Presumption dissolved.
Lowborn knight dodged barbs through flawless conduct.
Throat cleared.
Arm extended once more.
He lunged forward, fingers meshing snug.
Palm tingled under weave.
Teasing gripe slipped free amid the prickle.
Courting note to families next outing?
Dawn dispatch if you wish.
Sarcasm landed literal.
Pure jest!
Free hand fluttered against blaze.
His downcast gaze mimicked robbed pup.
Such letdown why?
Heat surged perilously.
Mercy spared eruption.
Dwelling neared.
Twice now.
Home’s sight outshone his company, strangely.
Final burst spilled rapid-fire.
Purely Kyle business.
No wrong ideas.
Bolt indoors cut her short.
Chest hammered wild.
Fatigue or fervor?
Rina vanished within.
Edwin rooted, mind adrift long minutes.
Her challenge looped relentless.
Connection warrants candor like that?
Fist met sternum.
Pulse knotted sharp.
Reverberations pinned him rigid.
Sculpted stone to passersby.
Lamp bloomed in her pane.
Airflow summoned, sash poised.
Shock awaited her.
Drained construct stirred creakily.
Heel dragged in retreat.
Threshold partings always clawed.
Tonight carved deeper.
Stride built toward cafe.
Late-night Kyle agenda nagged unresolved.
Direct probe on him overdue.
Shared lanes flew beneath hurried feet.
Portal bashed inward.
Kyle’s welcome hung expectant.
Brushed aside.
Latch clicked indifferent.
Puerile mode engaged.
Rina shielded his spite before.
Her grace unlocked boldness now.
Kyle faced the grilling.
