Page 141 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
“I was going to give it to you, but you pinned me down on this table and rendered me quite useless.”
“Useless, you say? I don’t know—I think having you pinned beneath me is far more useful than you think it is.” He pressed his lips to the corner of my mouth. “If we weren’t in a tent, I’d have proven that point to you.”
My cheeks burned. “Stop it.”
“Why?”
“Because I can practically hear Sir Hayes fidgeting outside the tent right now.”
Kalon sighed, briefly dropping his forehead to my shoulder. “I’m not going out there until you give me what I want.”
That was quite the open-ended statement, wasn’t it?
“How can I possibly do that with you all over me?” I asked innocently.
He lifted his gaze to meet mine, and a dangerous smirk crept onto his face. “Don’t toy with me, darling.”
“No, I’m being serious.” I bit down onto my lower lip. “I can’t access my pockets like this.”
“You’re going to be the death of me.” He pushed off the table and moved back so I could get to my feet.
I reached into my pocket for the handkerchief that had been perfectly folded before that little escapade. I pulled it out then hesitated, a strange wave of shyness washing over me.
That made perfect sense.
Getting hot and heavy on a table in a semi-public place? No problem.
Giving that same man a hand-stitched handkerchief? The worst thing in the world.
Could I even give it to him? It wasn’t the perfect gift I’d wanted to give. I’d messed it up this morning in my distraction, and we’d only been able to fix it so much.
Was it good enough to hand over?
“Um.” I paused to look up into his eyes, and the softness in Kalon’s vibrant gaze flooded me with warmth and pushed out all the shyness and doubt that had taken root.
Yes.
He didn’t care.
He really did just want a handkerchief from me.
I held it out to him with the embroidered side up. “It would make me very happy if you’d accept this. It’s not perfect, and I’m a bit embarrassed by that, but—”
“A phoenix,” he said softly. “It’s beautiful, Allie. Thank you.” Kalon reached around me to the table and picked up his sheathed sword, then held it out to me with a smile that made my stomach flutter. “You tie it on.”
“Oh—okay.” I deftly folded the handkerchief so the phoenix was on the outside of the folds, then stepped closer to him and tied it around the hilt, wrapping it a couple of times so there wasn’t too much hanging loose. “Is that right?”
He nodded, raising the sword to admire it. “It’s perfect.” He leant forwards and kissed my cheek. “You won’t ignore me this time when I bring you my hunt, will you?”
I barely suppressed a laugh. “No. I promise to accept whatever it is that you offer me.”
“Good.” He took my hand and pulled me towards the curtains. “We should go before we miss it.”
We emerged from the tent to see Sir Hayes shifting from foot to foot.
“Why do you look so guilty?” Kalon asked coldly.
Sir Hayes cleared his throat. “My apologies for barging in, Your Highness, Lady Alicia.” He bowed his head to each of us in turn. “I was remiss in my actions and will take whatever punishment you see fit.”
