How to Poison Your Husband [COMPLETE! Cozy Romantasy With A Dash Of Murder]

Step 6b: ... and definitely don't fall in love

It was after dark by the time Ivelle and Eirifold made their way back to the palace. Ivelle had put Eirifold through his paces until he was barely able to lift a spoon, much less contemplate kissing her again. Myklas had been a great help. He'd taken up the role of Eirifold's personal drill sergeant with adorable enthusiasm, and when he'd gotten bored of that, he'd taken great pleasure in serving as an extra weight for Eirifold to lift.

Eirifold seemed lost in thought as they retraced their steps into the secret row house, down the dark staircase, and through the winding passageway. Ivelle, distracted by her own thoughts, said little, and it was only when Eirifold stopped walking and began fiddling with his keyring that she realized they must be back inside the palace once more.

"This doorway will take you just behind the statue of King Bozifer, very near to your room." Eirifold frowned -- at least, Ivelle thought he did. It was hard to make out his features through the darkness. "Perry..."

"You don't need to say anything." She sucked in a breath.

"I think I do. I had a really good time today. But I also put you in an uncomfortable position, and I'm sorry." He stared at the ground. "I know at heart I'm... not a good person. I'm selfish, and I've done things in the past that I... anyway, it was wrong of me to be flirting with you like that. As you said, I'm getting married in a week." He hesitated. "I could break off the engagement with Lillian and run away, but I have a feeling my parents would subject her to a worse fate if I did that."

Ivelle wondered what sort of fate he had in mind. Becoming King Gorlin's second wife, perhaps?

She wouldn't put it past the old sleazebag.

"I... realize this might be asking too much, after what happened today." Apprehension colored Eirifold's words. "But I would like to stay friends. These last few weeks... they've been the best weeks since I... well, the best weeks I've had in a long time."

He shot her a tentative smile through the torchlight, and there was a hint of sadness in his eyes that made Ivelle's heart ache. She suddenly saw his life in a different light. Sure, he'd grown up filthy rich, but that wasn't much of a life if you had no friends to share things with.

But she couldn't be his friend – at least, not permanently. Her time in the castle was limited, and once Eirifold and Lillian were happily married, she'd be gone.

It really was better to push him away.

"You should get a pet," she offered, not meeting his eyes. "Adopt a cat or dog. It might help you feel less lonely. ...Or better yet, work on befriending Lillian."

"Perry, I–"

"My name isn't actually Perry. It's Ivelle." She pushed the door open. "I'll see you tomorrow for training."

~*~

Long after Ivelle lay down that night, she found herself unable to sleep. She tossed and turned, her head churning with thoughts.

She wasn't starting to like him.

She wasn't.

And anyway, even if she did like him, it didn't matter.

He was going to marry Lillian in six days.

She had to keep reminding herself about that part. He was already accounted for. Soon his heart would be claimed by someone else. There was no place in his life for her. And even if there had been, once she fulfilled her mission and made Eirifold and Lillian fall in love, she would be gone, like seeds on a breeze, like snow in the springtime, never to be seen again.

She avoided Eirifold the next evening, bribing one of his soldiers to tell him the court jester was ill. The next night, she sent a similar excuse.

She knew avoiding Eirifold was cowardly of her. But how could she trust herself not to kiss him and mess everything up for them both?