Free Web NovelChapter 189: Chapter 189
Laughter rippled down the line each time an arrow veered wildly off course and buried itself in the grass. Good-natured groans followed the more spectacular misses, especially when an arrow flew so crookedly that even the onlookers winced. Still, every small victory was met with enthusiastic applause.
When an arrow managed to strike anywhere on the wooden target, no matter how far from the center, the ladies clapped and cheered as if it were a remarkable feat.
Lord Heinrey had appointed himself the judge for the activity. He called out scores after each attempt, but the running tally was largely ignored. The participants were far more interested in taking their turn with bright, giddy smiles than in winning anything of actual value.
Circe watched the event unfold with a small, quiet smile. The relaxed atmosphere, the bursts of laughter, and the sight of so many people preoccupied with their own amusement made her feel lighter than she had all day.
When someone offered her a bow and invited her to try, she declined politely with a shake of her head.
The day was already going well, and for once the guests’ attention had finally begun to drift away from her. The last thing Circe wanted was to step into the center of the lawn and draw those curious eyes back onto herself. Remaining an observer felt far safer and more peaceful.
The ladies eventually drifted back to their seats in clusters, laughing breathlessly, their faces flushed from the sun. Only then did the wine begin to flow. The servers had wisely delayed serving it until the archery ended, no doubt afraid of the chaos that would unfold if a tipsy lady were handed a bow and a quiver full of arrows.
Servers carrying tall pitchers moved down the rows of tables, tilting them carefully to fill waiting glasses. The ruby-colored wine caught the sunlight like liquid garnets.
Circe stared at her own untouched drink, hesitating. The last time she had tasted wine, the consequences had not been pleasant.
Noticing her stillness, Mina leaned closer. "Is something the matter, Your Highness?" freёwebnovel.com
Circe kept her gaze on the glass. "What kind of wine is it?"
Mina blinked at the odd question. "Red," she answered uncertainly, lifting her own glass to sniff it. "Made from grapes." Her brows knitted together, clearly unsure what Circe actually meant.
Circe swallowed and asked more quietly, "Is it fae wine?"
Mina reared her head back in pure shock.
Elara spoke before Mina found her voice. "Most vampires can’t even handle its potency, and it is practically toxic to humans," she said sincerely. "I would never allow my servants to serve such a thing here, especially when you might drink it. I promise, Your Highness, this is only regular wine. You are safe in my home."
Reassured, Circe took a careful sip. She intended to allow herself no more than a single glass.
One glass wouldn’t hurt, would it?
But as the afternoon stretched on, one glass became two, then somehow three and her head began to sway in a slow, hazy spin.
When the time came to leave, she said her farewells to Mina and Elara, her demeanor less guarded and her smile too wide. With both her guards following close behind, she made her way toward the area where her carriage was supposed to be waiting.
Only when she arrived, it wasn’t her carriage she found.
Another one stood in its place, but it was just as familiar. The footman perched at the front straightened the moment he noticed her approach. He hopped down quickly and moved to pull the door open for her.
Her guards remained silent as Circe stepped closer, peering inside.
Ragnar sat inside the carriage, waiting.
The sight of him pushed away the last of her unease, loosening the tension from her shoulders.
He regarded her quietly, his gaze piercing as always, the corner of his mouth tilting upward in a faint, knowing smile. Circe climbed into the carriage, but the motion made her head spin so abruptly that she wobbled. She plopped down right beside him rather than on the opposite bench, nearly falling into his lap in the process.
Once both of them were seated, the footman closed the door with a soft thud and returned to his position at the front.
"It seems you had quite the day," Ragnar observed, amusement threaded through his tone. "I take it you enjoyed yourself."
Circe blinked at him slowly, trying to clear the fog in her mind. "It was more fun than I thought it would be." She paused, frowning as though only now remembering where she was. "Where is my carriage?"
Ragnar waved a hand dismissively. "It’s somewhere around. Your guards will meet us with it when we get home."
Circe narrowed her eyes slightly as she leaned closer, as if preparing to interrogate him. "And why are you here?"
Seeing him waiting for her had been a surprise for sure but right now she was almost grateful for it as he held her steady when the Carriage suddenly lurched into motion, preventing her from sliding off the seat.
Ragnar held her gaze for a long moment before replying. "I had some time on my hands," he said, voice soft. "And I wanted to see you. I’ve found that I can’t stand being apart from you for very long. That’s how tightly you have me tied in knots."
Circe swallowed, caught off guard. That was not the answer she had expected. His piercing gaze stayed fixed on her, heavy but not unwelcome, stirring a wild tangle of emotions inside her.
When had he gotten so close? Had he leaned in while she was processing his words or had she?
Their noses brushed, and he caught the faint scent of wine on her breath.
Warmth pooled low in her core. Perhaps she could blame it on the wine she’d had earlier, its warmth lingering in her veins but she knew better. It was him. Ragnar’s nearness always left her unsteady, and always sent a slow, unmistakable flush crawling up her cheeks.
