Brishen leaned closer to Ildiko. “Are you ready?” She surprised him with a soft exhalation of relief. “Yes,” she whispered. “If this is what it takes to silence your mother, I’ll eat this vile pie all day long.” A howl of laughter threatened to escape his throat. Ildiko jumped in her seat when Brishen turned and pressed his cheek to hers so that his face was turned away from the audience, and his lips brushed her ear. It was a stunning display of public affection—one he knew his mother would fume over for days and the court would gossip about for weeks. He allowed himself a small chuckle then.
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