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" The burgundy on my T-shirt,
When you splashed your wine into me,
And how the blood rushed into my cheeks,
So scarlet it was,
Maroon "
―SAINTS KNOW THAT I'm an idiot.
I realize my mistake the moment the coach door slams shut, my eyes immediately snagging onto Yi standing outside. Then the coach begins to move and my gaze follows her as she mounts a horse and takes the lead of the group. I release a loud sigh, wanting to bash my head against the window. She saw the kiss. Of course she saw.
Then Alina kicks me hard in the shin. I yelp in surprise. She glares at me before kicking me yet again and I grimace.
"Feel better?" I deadpan.
"Next time you try something like that, I won't kick you," she snaps at me. "I'll cut you in half."
I brush a piece of lint off of my trousers. "Not sure that would be wise. I'm afraid the people rather frown on regicide."
"You're not king yet, Sobachka," Alina hisses at me sharply. "So don't tempt me."
"I don't see why you're upset. The crowd loved it."
"I didn't love it."
I fold my arms and lean back in my seat. "What makes you think that I did?"
She releases a frustrated sound and her leg is headed towards my shin again. I grab her ankle and sigh, slightly irritated.
"Promise not to kick me again, and I'll promise not to kiss you again," I state.
"I only kicked you because you kissed me!"
"Promise."
"All right," she hisses at me. "I promise."
"Then we have a deal." I release her ankle and sit back once more.
"Great," Alina bites out. "Now get out."
I raise my eyebrows. "It's my coach."
"The deal was only for kicking. It did not prohibit slapping, punching, biting, or cutting you in half," Alina reminds me with a fiery glare.
I grin in spite of the situation. "Afraid Oretsev will wonder what we've gotten up to?"
"Are you afraid that Yi is going to punch you the moment she sees you without your entourage of guards?" She counters sharply.
I falter. Kind of.
"It's an act, Alina. The Stronger our alliance, the better it will be for both of us. I'm sorry if it puts a burr in Mal's sock, but it's a necessity."
