Fuck.
It was a level of vulnerability I’d never felt before, and it felt overwhelming as hell.
The only time we’d been to Crystal Glass together I’d snuck her around, treating her like contraband. Now I had the urge to introduce her to everyone. She deserved proper introductions. I didn’t have plans in place, but I knew what needed to be done.
Mara looked over at me with a grin on her face as I walked up to her.
“What a surprise,” she teased.
“Hey.” I kissed her. She let out a surprised laugh, and I kissed her again and again until the curve of her smile disappeared to a soft line of pleasure.
“Wow.” She laughed giddily as we broke apart.
“I have a question, and I just want to know if you’re okay with it.” I tried to make it seem like I was less set on it than I actually was.
“Hm?”
“If I have a palace professional look after your grandmother, would you like to spend a full day in the kingdom?” I asked.
Surprise crossed her face, her mouth frozen in a slightly open position.
Then she babbled, “I don’t want to impose, I’m sure we can work around when I have to be home and—”
“Mara, you deserve to have some days of your own.” I shook my head. “Your grandma loves you so much. From what you’ve told me about her, she’d want you to take a break if you had the option.” I knew it was a little manipulative to use her grandmother to get her to agree to go out, but Mara was too stubborn to do anything nice for herself. She needed a break more than anybody.
She bit her lip and stared over at the window she was painting. She was so beautiful like this, her tousled braided bun let stray hairs frame her face and neck, leading my eyes to where I’d like to kiss her. Her lips were naturally a pretty, dusty pink, but she was wearing some sparkling thing on them that day. I wondered if it was for me.
Did she think about me as much as I thought about her?
“Only if when we get back, you two get to meet,” she offered.
It was my turn to be surprised.
Up until then, she’d managed to avoid us crossing paths, but now she sounded like she was ready for us to meet. It was a relief.
“I’m in.”