Her words had flayed me open. Standing there, hair flying wildly around her face, expression open and vulnerable—I finally saw the real Laurel, finally saw the female behind the Witch Queen persona she wears so easily. But just as quickly as that delicate window had opened, it slammed shut again, and I was left reeling. I’ve never—not even once—told someone I had feelings for them. And Laurel had me practically begging her to acknowledge the heat between us. Sure, I’ve had lovers, females and males who I’ve been interested in, though not in a long time. Once I needed to rely on my charm to get secrets out of others, my own ability to lust and desire had dimmed. Somehow, without ever really trying to seduce her and everything that’s happened between us since I arrived, we became allies. Tenuous allies, but allies nonetheless.

Conflicting emotions course through me as I consider the situation. On the one hand, I’m… proud of myself for gaining a true alliance without pretending to be interested in her. In fact, our alliance only formed once I finally opened up and showed her the vulnerable male beneath the flirty winks and smirks. At the same time, I care more deeply than I want to admit about her rejection, even if I know she’s right. I’ve achieved what I set out to do—we’ve become allies in the search to uncover my father’s secrets. It’s unimaginable, impossible, considering the history between our kingdoms, and yet we finally achieved some kind of truce. That should be enough for me. A relationship beyond allies and tenuous friends would complicate the situation too much.

Laurel takes a seat next to Silene on the sofa, and the two laugh at something. I can’t keep the genuine smile from my lips at the two of them forming a fast friendship, and I huff out a quiet laugh at the idea that Laurel thought Silene and I were really a couple, even though she had no reason to believe otherwise. They continue their conspiring, and I observe, happiness washing over me in warm waves. Even Fionn seems to warm to the Queen, his own expression light as he greets her. I clear my throat to interrupt their whispers.

“Laurel, how do you take your tea?” I ask with all the princely charm growing up in Velmara has given me. I pour the steaming liquid into a ceramic mug, waiting for her response.