âThe porridge,â Her eyes wandered to the staff helping them to their carriage, sighing softly at the thought of insulting the breakfast staff who works hard to keep all the royalties in Devotion pleased. âI would love the honey, but Iâm positive that I dislike the porridge because I never enjoyed porridge.â Snow tapped her chin, remembering the times that she refused to eat the porridge down in Damned, and it got so bad that her father banned the dish from their household. The memory was cut short the minute Haneul closed the gap between them; Snow felt a warmth begin to cover her cheeks as her lover spoke of acts that would arouse her throughout the night. Her hand lightly tapped his chest, avoiding eye contact with the ladies who would jump at the opportunity to be in the same bedroom with him. âAre you flirting with me, my king? I only ask because I wouldnât want to step on anyoneâs toes.â Snow tapped his chin, listening to him ask a mouthful of questions, which was odd; thinking about it too long made her tilt her head slightly. âHave you ever met another man more handsome than you? I havenât, which means youâre the most handsome in all the lands.â Her lips curved, feeling the touch of his lips, returning the soft kiss to his lower lip as she entered the carriage. âI love you, but I feel as if I have barely scratched the surface regarding getting to know more about you.â She carefully fluffed her gown before sitting on the cushion surface, lips pressed together as she checked off the list of things she knew about him. âI like how you get a little jealous when I call another man handsome. I didnât think you were one to get jealous. Oh, and the way you pout is adorable!â Snow clasped her hands together as all the qualities of the man she was meant to marry surfaced. âWhat I am trying to say is that I canât wait until I become your wife.â It was a thought on her every day since spending time with him, but her time in Devotion would soon be cut short. The man who killed his father would soon be revealed, and Snow would have to return to Damned. "Although that can be a talk for another day because tonight we will have some fun."
âIf Iâm breathing, Iâm flirting with you.â Haneul leaned forward instinctively at her tap of his chin, following the draw of her touch and wanting nothing more than to sink into it until he bled into her warmth. He knew that until the end of his days, he would find reason to wish to enchant her, it wouldnât matter the day or the hour or if they had grown grey. âThere is no man more handsome than me thatâs why Iâm asking. Itâs unheard of that someone could trifle me in looks unless the person looking at them is blind or hypnotised.â He waved away the notion, knowing that despite the different tastes among people, he doubted they were anything near what he gazed upon in the mirror. His head titled at Snowâs commentary, holding the edge of the carriage door as she took the steps although the courtier had white knuckles in bracing the handle in wait. âBarely scratched the surface? My dear, you must believe me deeper than I actually am.â He taunted himself, taking the step into the carriage seconds after her, taking a seat on the bench next to her and immediately reaching for her hand. âYou scratch as deep as you like.â He clicked his tongue moments before he settled a kiss on the soft skin beneath her ear, lingering for a moment and for a few seconds, he wished to usher her back inside where they could remain alone. âI only get jealous when it comes to you, I canât have your eyes on another man.â His mouth shifted to catch the edge of her jaw, a temptation lingering to catch her mouth but he restrained himself, and straightened. Settling simply for clinging onto her hand and gazing upon her instead. His wife. Words that he loved to hear, although it was yet to become his reality, his mother holding him back like a puppet on a string for the perfect moment; romantically and politically. âSoon. I promise.â He raised her hand to his mouth, planting a soft promise to her skin and a hope that within the year they would be settled into their vows. âStrife certainly knows how to make fun, you should love it tonight but under all circumstances, we must drink the same drinks, understood? I can't have you off in a fairy-induced high without me."
















