As I spoke, she reached up and shoved the berry into my mouth, and at the perfect moment so that it stuck between my teeth and broke open. She snorted with laughter at the immediate look of shock on my face. It wasn’t nearly as bad as the first time now that I knew what to expect and my tongue was used to the taste, but I still cringed.
“I said I’d do it again,” Ava giggled innocently.
“You,” I said, swallowing hard, “are in a world of trouble.” I grabbed her by the waist once more, but this time I pulled her right up against the front of me so she couldn’t get away. I picked another berry and put it to her lips. “Open up.” She snickered, and though it seemed hard because of the massive smile on her face, she pursed her lips together and shook her head. “Let’s go,” I laughed. “This is happening whether you like it or not.” She struggled a bit more in my grip, trying desperately to keep her mouth shut through her laughter. “Avarona Gaveston,” I scolded, “you open your mouth right this instant.”
She couldn’t help it then. She burst out laughing, her mouth involuntarily opening wide and allowing me to finally throw the berry in. Now that she had no choice, she bit down on the fruit, and the look on her face was without a doubt one of the funniest things I’d ever seen. Her eyes squeezed shut as tight as they could, her lips puckered horribly, and she shook her head back and forth as if somehow that would help rid the taste faster. It was clearly far worse for her than it was for me—I actually liked sour things—and through my intense laughter, I squeezed her to me in a hug.
“Are you quite satisfied?” she chuckled, swallowing and leaning back enough so she could look at me.
“Aye, extremely,” I agreed, pressing a truce kiss to her forehead.
As I did, I glanced over her head and locked eyes with Nira. She saw the position Ava and I were in, and though she was completely across the room, she tapped her hands together in silent applause, then motioned to the dance floor as if to tell me now was my chance. But I wasn’t trying to flirt with Ava, and I was so not ready to ask her to dance that it translated to me actually shaking my head. Ava noticed the action, and followed my eyes behind her. Nira caught her turning though, and returned to her conversation as if she hadn’t been watching us.
“Who are you looking at?” Ava asked.
“No one,” I said, offering an exaggerated smile because maybe if I acted adorable Ava wouldn’t press it.
“Right…” She glanced behind her again, but unable to discover who, she let it go. “I made many promises of returning for conversation while my father was introducing me. Will you come along?”
“If you’d like,” I said with a nod.
Ava took my hand once more, leading me to the first set of people whom she had to speak with. She didn’t let my hand go once, not while talking to them, and not as we moved on to the next group. For a better part of the night, I followed her around the room. Fortunately, everyone we met with was far more interested in Ava than they were in me, and other than introducing myself or being introduced by Ava, I did very little speaking. It felt like hours of conversation, as we’d visited with at least six groups of people, before something caught my eye. Across the grand hall, Albus had finally found his way to the buffet table, and was inches from being comfortable enough to snatch an entire roast bird.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I interrupted, because that had to be more polite than simply running off.
I slipped out of Ava’s grasp and all but sprinted across the hall. “Albus,” I whispered when I reached him, and wrapped my arms around his neck to keep him from biting down. “That’s not for you,” I scolded. A man beside me turned to see what was happening, and laughed when he realized. “Your Grace,” I greeted the king, blushing at the fact that, despite my scold, Albus was still craning for the meat.
“Hello, Kiena,” he said as he grabbed a fat bird leg, and gave it to Albus without even looking. “Are you having a good time?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” I answered, and shooed Albus away. “Go eat in the corner.”
The king chuckled at that, but instead of saying anything about it, he motioned toward the dancers. “I was hoping you’d do me the honor.”
“A dance?” I asked in shock. He gave an amused nod, and though I couldn’t think of a reason why he’d want to dance with me, I tried to rid my surprise. “Of course.”
I followed him out, and since it had been a while, I focused on my feet to try and get back in the rhythm. He didn’t give me much of a chance before starting conversation.
“Truly,” he prompted, “are you enjoying yourself?”
Truly, I wasn’t much for crowds, or parties, or nobles, but following Ava around, being able to be close to her physically without worrying about what anyone might think, it had kept me from feeling completely uncomfortable. “I’ve not thought I wasn’t enjoying myself, Your Grace.”
He smirked at the indirectness of that. “Good. I hope you’ve felt as welcome here as Ava.”
“Aye,” I said, and then, realizing how informal that must have sounded, I corrected myself immediately. “Of course, Your Grace.”
“If I might ask,” he began, “what is it that calls you back to Valens?”
“Duty,” I answered, wondering why he wanted to know. He watched me curiously for a few moments, as though that wasn’t as specific as he’d hoped. “A mother and brother. Both of whom I care for.”
He nodded, blue eyes wandering away, and he danced for a minute in thoughtful silence. “You’ve done me a grand service, bringing Ava here,” he said eventually. I hadn’t done it for him, and surely he knew that, but before I could respond, he continued. “I’ve spent a great deal of time amongst the poorest of my people, taking them food and clothing.” I nodded, completely unsure of where he was going with this. “I’ve come to recognize the struggle in their eyes.” He made a lengthy pause, during which I tried to decipher his purpose. “I would very much like to compensate you for everything you’ve done.”
“Compensate?” I repeated in utter shock. Did he mean what I thought he did? As in compensate with money. As in he wanted to send me home with gold for bringing Ava here safely. “Your Grace, I assure you, you need do no such thing. I’ve not brought her here for reward.”
At first, he didn’t respond, just kept moving in the steps of the dance, watching me for a few moments before his eyes were pulled elsewhere. “Ava loves you,” he pointed out. “I’d be a fool not to see it.” I didn’t say anything to that, but the king met my gaze with a soft smile. “Your lack of noble title does not negate your noble heart, Kiena. If you won’t allow me to pay you for your service, let me gift you a comfortable sum. For Ava.” As the dance switched our positions, it turned me so I could see Ava, and I watched her fondly while I considered the king’s offer. “Allow her to take comfort in knowing you’ve one less concern when you leave here.”
It took me a long minute to think over. I wasn’t comfortable being paid for what I’d done. It made everything I’d done simply because it was right feel like I’d done it for profit. Made me feel like I’d abandoned my kingdom and Silas for money. It didn’t feel honest. But he was right about Ava. About how she’d take some small comfort in knowing that money wasn’t as tight a concern. She’d never even met my mother and brother, but she’d put their needs before her own. She’d been more than willing for me to give up bringing her here if it meant danger for my family. For that, I knew it would make her feel better about my leaving if I accepted the king’s gift.
“Yes, Your Grace,” I agreed, dropping my chin in a small bow. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You’ve done more than enough already,” he said with a sincere grin.