âCan I not distract you for a moment?â Haneulâs neck craned to follow her circling footsteps, beaming at her for allowing him the opportunity to view her in a glowing light. The rosy pink radiance of Devotion was made to engulf her and it lit up every feature in a way the shadows of her home could never achieve; she was radiant and she was everything he could have ever asked for. He would have basked for longer if it hadnât been for Wednesdayâs arrival, eyes darting away to the only female that could make a King feel three inches tall. The defence was on the tip of the tongue, a readied explanation that hadnât been required, not once Snow had been involved and he was trapped in an awkward smile; nodding vehemently to every word spoken. âI should let you deal with Wednesday more often.â Haneulâs gaze was locked on Wednesdayâs back, surprised at the efficiency of her removal when he would have been a scolded child on any ordinary day and talked into submission to reveal every intention he held in his mind. His head tipped to the right once Snow regained his focus, content to seal their hands together by lacing their fingers and exiting into the evening breeze. âYou think the porridge is disgusting?â His expression drooped, his eyebrows twisted and his lips formed a pout, stalling their movement two steps out of the entrance hall door, much to the dismay of the footman who had swooped in a bow and made a show of opening the carriage door. âI must tell the kitchen staff immediately, this wonât do.â A single stride had extended their arms out and the staff by the door scrambled for his reemergence, the playful tone obscured by their desire to fulfil their duties, although he spun back to her to relative swiftness. âIâll have them douse it in honey and strawberries next time, I might even request just the honey and strawberries for our return tonight.â He hadnât lowered his voice, closing the distance between them despite the soft laughter of the females behind him, his eyes solely focused on the woman he loved. âOr would you prefer chocolate?â He ducked his head at the question, intent on kissing her when the talk of Wednesday had frozen him inches from her mouth. âI always thought she liked women.â His pout had returned, tilting his head once more to find the entryway clear of those they spoke of. âAll my other handmaidens were fired for trying to sleep with me so when she didnât try, there was no way she could like men.â He returned his head to its former position to plant a kiss on the corner of her mouth, straightening and gesturing for her to enter the carriage ahead of him. âDo you think heâs prettier than me? Is that it? Does she think Iâm somehow less handsome than him?âÂ
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."


















