As no sign of the Dowager's arrival appeared, it was decided that Lethia should depart. The sun had lowered, casting pale gold upon the palace colonnades, and the winter air sharpened further as they crossed the marble courtyard.
Serik escorted her with measured steps, ever the dutiful nobleman. Servants bowed as they passed; guards stood motionless like carved stone.
They walked beneath towering archways toward her awaiting carriage, its lacquered frame gleaming faintly beneath the fading light.
After a moment of silence, Lethia spoke.
"When do you depart for Imerthia?"
"Early in the morning," Serik replied smoothly, his pace matching hers perfectly.
Lethia paused internally.
The hunting competition is only six days away.
Before her mind could filter the thought, the words slipped past her lips, "Does that mean you won't be present at the hunting competition?"
The moment the sentence left her mouth, she cursed herself.
Why does my brain stop functioning the moment I'm around this man?
She felt a prickle of heat crawl up her neck.
Serik slowed slightly.
A faint smile curved upon his mouth. His amber eyes shimmering with amusement.
"Do you wish me to be there, my lady?"
Lethia froze, startled by the directness of his gaze. She looked at him for a heartbeat taking in the sharp lines of his noble attire and the sheer confidence in his expression before she snapped her head away and marched toward the carriage.
"How annoying," she muttered, her pace quickening.
Serik watched her retreating figure with a satisfied grin.
The carriage stood ready at the palace gates. Lethia ascended swiftly, gathering her skirts, refusing to look back too soon.
But once seated within, she could not resist.
Through the small glass window, she glanced toward him.
Serik remained where he stood beneath the stone archway, hands clasped behind his back, the last of the sunlight catching in his amber eyes.
And he was still smiling.
Her heart gave an unreasonable flutter.
She turned her gaze away at once.
The carriage lurched forward, wheels crunching over gravel as it departed from the palace grounds.
Back at the gate, Serik leaned his shoulder against the stone pillar, watching the carriage disappear into the mist. He spoke softly to the empty air, his voice low.
"If you tempt me like that... I would want to rush back before the hunting competition even begins."