Inessa had done her best, along with the reluctant help of the shopkeeper, to braid my hair and wrap it in a knot at my nape, before tucking the few wild, loose curls into the ornate hat.
The veil streaming down the sides and back did little to conceal the mess of hair there, but Iiro had purchased swaths of fabric for Inessa to alter the hats to accommodate my unruly and very un-Socairan locks.
I had never worn a hat a day in my life, and wearing one now made me feel like one of the dolls my twin younger sisters were always dressing up. I was certain I looked ridiculous and was prepared to garner even more attention when we left the shop, but instead, it was less.
Much to my relief, fewer people stared now that my hair was concealed. It was easy to say I didn’t mind their scorn, but without Davin here to help me laugh at my situation, it was infinitely more daunting.
This time, when I wrapped my hand around Theo’s bicep, I didn’t remark on his bulging muscles, but I did give them a squeeze. He fought back a grin anyway, shaking his head like he was trying to rid himself of something as absurd as the urge to smile.
Instead of going back to the carriage, we continued down the road to a shop two doors down from the seamstress’.
I knew it was a bakery before we even reached the door. The smell of warm bread drifted toward me, making my mouth water. I practically purred when the baker offered us each a sample, waiting until I saw the others eat it before finally indulging myself.
The roll was soft and sweet and somehow didn’t need any butter to perfect it.
My eyes fluttered closed as I finished the last bite, and when I opened them, it was to find Theo staring at me.
“What?”
He arched a brow as his brother and Inessa walked past us, back out onto the street.
“You are very expressive,” he stated flatly, offering his arm again.
“Is that a terrible thing to be?”
His feature turned thoughtful as I took his arm.
“I suppose not,” he allowed. “In the right circumstances, at least.”
“Oh? And what circumstances might those be?” Both my face and my voice were just a touch too innocent, and Theo noticed.
Another blush crept up into his cheeks. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time, resisting the urge to let out a victorious cackle. It had really only taken me three days to break his stoic facade.
Though, why I cared so much was beyond me. In another week, it wouldn’t matter either way. I supposed it was better than thinking about the Summit, though.
Theo cleared his throat, the perfect line of his jaw tightening and flexing in turn. “This is exactly the type of behavior that can’t continue if you want to win the Summit over.”
“Whatever could you mean? Honestly, Theo, your mind goes to the craziest places.”
This time, he visibly fought to keep from blushing, and I let out an evil little chuckle. We continued walking in comfortable silence after that.
At least, it was comfortable for me. He looked even more uptight than usual, like he was forcing himself to be on his best behavior to make up for mine lacking.
We used up the rest of the waning sunlight by following Iiro into each of the small shops. Theo explained that it was always this way, anytime they stopped at a village when passing through, they purchased something from each store to help the commerce of the village.
The people seemed appreciative. They bowed low in thanks each time, muttering the same Socairan phrase that I finally understood meant ‘thank you’, words which were cut off entirely once they caught a glimpse of my hair.
It would probably do more harm than good if I chased after them and threw stray strands of my red curls at them like I wanted to. So, I rolled my eyes instead, convincing myself I wasn’t fazed.
Theo looked back and forth between me and the villagers before escorting me around the corner, stepping in close.
“Here,” he said, as deft fingers reached out to tuck the small strands that had escaped back into my hat.
I froze as his skin brushed against mine, from my forehead, down to my cheek and finally behind my ear. When I finally met his eye, I found that I couldn’t look away from whatever was hiding in his gaze.
“Better?” My voice came out more breathless than I intended.
Theo cleared his throat, backing away.
“Passable,” he said, and I noted that his voice didn’t sound much steadier than mine.
“We have acquired your accommodations for the evening, My Lord.” A guard approached, speaking the common tongue in his rough accent, effectively breaking whatever moment I had imagined just occurred.
I shook my head slightly, doing anything to think of something other than how stars-blasted attractive Theo’s lips were.
He’s my enemy. The man escorting me to my death trial. Even if that wasn’t always easy to remember.
Movement stirred in the shadows behind Theo and the guard, drawing my eyes away from the two of them. A tall man in a dark, threadbare cloak was standing against the side of a rundown tavern, staring right at me.
There wasn’t really revulsion in his gaze, like all the other villagers. Instead, it was something else.
Something far more sinister.
The glowing light of the lanterns highlighted the shadows of his face until he was close enough for me to see the large brand on his forehead.
I gasped at the raw, damaged skin with what looked like a lowercase B, or the number six. His mouth opened wide, revealing rows of broken and decaying teeth as he grimaced at the sight of us.
Then he turned down the corner, disappearing from sight.
“Besklanovyy.” Theo muttered the word like a curse, and I shot him a quizzical glance. He looked down at me with a grim expression. “Unclanned. We need to leave.”
