He turned to answer Lucy, and once again I was drawn in. Despite Quarn’s warning, it was hard to defy the magnetic pull.
I ran my eyes over him. He was dressed for the outdoors: a short-sleeved, fitted shirt and army-style pants. In shades of black and dark green, the material looked expensive.
I shook my head. You don’t know him. Brace could be as stupid and shallow as he was breathtaking.
He was still speaking, so with effort I stopped devouring him with my eyes and focused on the conversation.
“... from patrolling last night, and talked to Father,” Brace explained to Lucy.
His eyes flicked in my direction as he ran them over my features. The slightest smile drifting across his face.
I rolled my eyes. No way could he know I hadn’t been paying attention.
“He does believe your story of being lost, but he’s responsible. He’ll hand you over to the royal guards.” He ran his hand through his dark hair.
It looked slightly longer than he generally wore it. As if he was due for a cut but hadn’t gotten around to it yet. I liked it much better than the military style he sometimes sported during our dreams.
He turned a bothered gaze toward me. “I’m not confident of the royal guard at this time. So I’m about to cause some real trouble.”
“Forgive us if we don’t exactly trust you or your father.” I shrugged, reminding my traitorous heart that he was a stranger. “Probably something to do with being drugged last night.”
Lucy nodded. “Exactly! Just because you’re standing there stupidly tall and unnaturally gorgeous, flashing those dimples and muscles, doesn’t mean we’re going to fall at your–”
I put my hand over Lucy’s mouth, muffling the last few words.
“Sorry, Lucy’s missing an essential filter between brain and mouth. I try to stand within arm’s reach, because there’s no ‘off’ switch.”
He smiled. “Reminds me of Lucas. Someone should look into an off switch for them both.”
He peered out the door. His voice was slightly muffled. “We need to leave. Father was out on patrol but he’ll be back soon.” He shrugged, facing us. “I’ll accompany you to town. I might be breaking you out, but I better make sure you don’t cause any trouble.”
I exhaled loudly. Someone save me from bossy control freaks.
I looked at Lucy. “I say we trust him for now. We can ditch him later.”
“You know I’m standing right here.” His brow furrowed over the velvety brown of his eyes.
Lucy ignored him. “Tell me you’re using your brain for this decision, Abbs. Remember what Quarn said.”
Brace reacted minutely at the mention of this. Or I may have imagined it. Either way, it felt like it was time to remind him who he was dealing with.
I stood to my full height, hands firmly on my hips. “Don’t mess with us, Brace. Lucy is super talented with a razor and glue gun.”
Lucy nodded. “That’s right. Your eyebrows will never be the same again.” She smiled. “And with that threat hanging over your head, let’s go, gorgeous.” She sauntered past him out the door.
As I watched him follow her I realized something. Which, if asked, I’d deny until the ends of time – I was feeling some very strong emotions; I wanted him around.
Also, I was determined to figure out his secret. And why he, of all people, ended up in my dreams.
Brace paused in the hall and nodded toward two familiar packs on the floor.
“I retrieved your bags. Deralick said he didn’t go through them, so everything should be there.”
Dropping beside my pack, I furtively checked for the stone. Everything was in its place.
“Thank God he didn’t touch my shoes.” Lucy had a pair in each hand, her favorite vintage pink Chucks in the right, and purple wedges in the left, which I personally found too ugly to exist.
“That would have not ended well for anyone,” she finished, shoving them back into the bag.
“Were you actually worried that Deralick would have a use for your size five pink and purple shoes?” I pursed my lips as she rained glares on me. Guess she had.
“Let’s go.” Brace paused. “Do you need any help with your packs? It’s quite a walk to town.”
We both shook our heads; this was my second attempt at protecting the stone. And apparently Lucy trusted no one with her clothes.
Shouldering her pack, Lucy had a new distraction as she hopped on the spot. “Tell me the bathroom is close?”
Confusion crossed his features, but he answered. “It’s just down the hall.”
We followed him along the plain white hallway. He paused at an intersection; frosted glass doors were the only break in the endless white. Once again there were no latches, handles, hinges or any indication an openable door existed. The panel just slid into the wall.
With his right hand, Brace gestured for us to enter.
“Five minutes,” were the last words he said as we stepped inside and the door slid closed.