Page 61 of Veil of Winter

“There is nothing wrong with crying honest tears.”

She still was not looking at him, but her movements slowed and she asked, “Honest tears?”

“Tears that show honest emotion. No one should be shamed for showing honest emotion. Do you not think so?”

“Yes. I do.” She smiled up at him, though her eyelashes were still wet, and her lips were a lovely pink.

One tear, alone and forgotten, winked at him from her jawline. He lifted his hand and brushed it away with his thumb, then let his fingers linger on her soft cheek.

Her gaze went to his lips as her eyelids closed.

I know I shouldn’t.But she wanted him to kiss her. And if he did, he’d be pleasing himself as well as her.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

She put her arms around him and he pulled her closer, so close he had to angle his head to reach her lips. So soft. So sweet. Kissing her was heaven, and she pressed her hands against his ribs as if she were holding on to keep from falling.

“Princess Elyce!”

He groaned as they pulled away from each other. Princess Elyce ducked her head but kept one hand on his side.

Ysabeau was standing with her mouth open, as if she had stopped mid-stride. And Sir Oswalt was just behind her.

“Forgive me,” she said.

“What is it, Ysa?” Princess Elyce’s cheeks were pink as she turned to face her servant.

“Your horse stood up. I thought you would want to know.”

“Yes, thank you.” She gave him the briefest glance before turning to walk toward Ysa and her horse.

Eighteen

Gerard followed behind her and reached his hand toward hers, wanting to take hold of it, but he let it drop back to his side.

That kiss had not been planned, but he didn’t regret it either, though he might later. What would Princess Elyce think of him, kissing her after he’d avoided her for days? She probably wouldn’t understand. How could she understand when he didn’t? He only knew he cared for her and wished... wished things were different.

They found her horse standing on its feet. The princess rubbed his nose and patted his foreleg while lavishing him with compliments, telling him he was good and strong and brave.

Again, he had the strange feeling of being envious of a horse.

“Are we ready to go?” Sir Oswalt asked, a smirk lifting one corner of his mouth.

Gerard took his time answering. Princess Elyce was still patting the horse and Ysa fidgeted with her hands.

“Tell everyone to mount up.”

Sir Oswalt turned to go, but the smirk was still there.

He had no right to laugh at Gerard. Oswalt had talked half the night with Ysabeau at the king’s feast, choosing to sit with her instead of with the noblemen.

“I still would like you to ride my horse,” he told Princess Elyce. “Let this one rest a bit.”

She nodded, her eyes locking on his. “Thank you.”

Would he ever have the right to kiss her, to hold her in his arms, to whisper in her ear how he felt about her?

“I’ll take him to the other tethered horses.” Ysa took the reins and walked the horse back the way she’d come.