Page 80 of A Courage of the Chosen

His palm finds the small of my back as Reyne returns with a drink for me, and a small plate with fruit, cheese, and a couple of desserts piled onto it.

She offers me both. “Eat. I’m not carrying you to bed because you can’t hold your liquor.”

“I’ll be carrying you to bed either way.”

Ignoring Callahan, I gratefully take the plate from her, stuff a few pieces of fruit into my mouth, and grab the gold-rimmed flute filled with sparkling pink liquid. “Thank you.”

Her and Callahan begin talking about something that I quickly zone out of, the training of the soldiers I think, and Eòghann sidles over to me.

“How are you feeling being back in the palace?” He had a front row seat to my experience last time, seeing how my feelings for Tavish developed, and we haven’t really spoken one-to-one since our return.

“The same, but different.”

Eòghann smirks. “Super insightful.”

I nudge him with my shoulder. “Shut it. You know what I mean.”

His face turns serious. “Aye, I do. It feels that way for me too. Like everything is different, but it’s not.”

“Exactly.”

“For what it’s worth.” His tone turns sincere. “I think you’re doing an amazing job. You handled the court perfectly tonight, and it’s a privilege to follow you as my queen. But more importantly, as my friend.”

Eòghann’s unexpected declaration does something funny to my chest, and I slip my arm around his waist to give him a one-armed hug as Cal studies us together.

“Thanks, Eòghann,” I mumble.

“Shall we go say hi to my parents?” Reyne asks him, and he slides out of my hold to her side. “You good with Callahan, Elsie?”

I nod, grateful for everything she’s done this evening but wanting a few more moments alone with Callahan. “Take your time, I’m fine here.”

Reyne and Eòghann leave, and Callahan takes my elbow as he guides me to the side of the room where we’re less exposed. I offer him some food and he takes a grape. He pops it into his mouth and chews slowly as he watches me watching him.

The heat in his eyes is completely inappropriate, given the sheer number of people observing our every move. Yet my gaze remains fixed on the way his throat shifts as he swallows.

Flickers of it moving beneath my lips as I rode him flash between us and settle low in my stomach.

After keeping my distance, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to resist him any longer. Not only does he stare at me like I’m the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen, but he looks unbelievably good tonight.

What is it about him dressed like this that’s undoing me?

Maybe it’s the fact we’re not hiding that we want each other. Or that we’re at war, and don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

I’m a queen, right? I can have whoever I want. And I want Callahan, secrets be damned.

He moves further into my personal space, selecting a piece of cheese this time. “You’re eye-fucking me again.”

“Yeah, well . . . you’ve been eye-fucking me since you saw me earlier.” My reply is petulant, and stammered under his intensity.

He rests a hand on my waist and rubs his thumb along my hip. “I’m not going to deny it. You look devastating, and everyone in this room has noticed.”

My chin dips at the compliment, and my eyes dart out into the crowd, where Paisley watches Callahan openly touch me. Her mouth is twisted into a small snarl, as though she can see her chances with him slipping away with each intimate caress and heated glance.

“Seems I’m not the only one who’s caught the attention of others.” I tilt my head as I look up at him.

Callahan places his fingers under my chin, drawing his face closer to mine. He skims his nose along my jaw, and my breath fans out on an exhale. “Let her watch. I only want you.”

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