He let out a low chuckle, the sound deep and rich, and River’s heart stuttered as she realized he had baited her into saying exactly what he suspected.
She groaned internally, her face heating to a level that felt almost painful as she covered her eyes with her hand.
“You still have a lot to learn, little one,” he teased gently, “but… each day is a lesson.” His voice was lighter now, teasing without cruelty, and somehow that made it worse.
She couldn’t believe she’d walked straight into it. Of course, he was a royal—cunning, composed, sharp as a blade hidden beneath velvet—and she, in comparison, felt like an open book with half the pages torn out.
“Silly River,” she whispered to herself as she curled under the sheets, wishing she could vanish for just a moment. But despite her emb
