Page 80 of Noble Charms

“Will you treat him right?”

“Of course.” He used this phrase a great many times while flirting with women in his life, but for the first time, he meant it, “I’d fight the gods for him.”

Prittey giggled girlishly, and Noble could see shades of how she looked at his age, forty years ago. Her lined skin smooth and shining, her hair thicker, her body less skin and bones. “What did he say to you when you told him you loved him?”

Noble took a moment to drink from his wine glass. A long moment. His eyes looked over Prittey’s suite, rather than meet her gaze.

“Noble? You told him you loved him, did you not?”

He put the glass down, unable to avoid it. “Not exactly. He fell asleep when I said it, and the next day—we got into an argument. He’s embarrassed to be seen with me, because everyone thinks he’s my adame, and he doesn’t want that.”

Prittey understood without Noble’s explanation, which came as a surprise. “It’s got a fraught past, that work. I think it’ll go out of fashion by the end of the century.”

“I’d never really thought about it.”

“You haven’t had to—you’re a human.”

Noble eyed Prittey. “You’re a human, and you’ve thought about it.”

“I’m old. I’ve had a lot of time to do a lot of thinking. Also, I’ve courted more than one elf in my lifetime.” She grinned as she added, “They’re pretty.”

Noble agreed deeply. He groaned into both of his hands. “He’s so pretty.”

Prittey laughed. “I understand.”

“What do I do?”

“Well, I’m no expert on loving a man—” Her nose wrinkled at the concept. “But I think the first step is telling him you love him, and that you want him, and not as an adame.”

“As a husband.”

She tilted her head. “You really do love him. More than a title? More than the riches of our family state?”

“Yes.”

“Then tell him that. And if he says no?” She reached for the wine bottle and said, “The good news is that you’ve opened up a whole second world of courtship. With men.”

He didn’t want a second world. He didn’t want anyone else. His heart tightened. “What if he already has someone else?” Hampenstead may have forgiven Aria for their night together. Aria may have chosen him.

“Noble,” Prittey poured the remainder of the wine into her glass and said, “There are a thousand ways this can go wrong. That’s how love works.”

Distantly, Noble heard the first bells of the Gala, and the announcement of the guests as they arrived. “I need to tell him how I feel.”

“I believe you do.”

Noble said, “Thank you. Really. Not just for talking to me, but for…” For being who she was. For choosing love over reputation. For showing Noble he could do the same.

“You’re welcome.” She leaned in as he bent down to place a kiss upon her cheek. “Enjoy the party. Then tell your elf he’s got to marry you.”

“Got to?”

“Well, I’m dying to meet him, now.” She laughed, and he couldn’t help his responding grin. “Go find him and say what you must so that I may get to take in his beautiful visage.”

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A COUNTDOWN

NOBLE