Crow averted his gaze, downing a rather large swig of wine in his distaste for the current conversation. If Cedric believed that he and Naida were courting, he wondered how many other people were under the same impression. He wrinkled his nose at the thought of the other nobles gossiping about him and his sister in such a way, wishing he could just tell everyone that they were related to clear up the uncomfortable misunderstanding. Hopefully “courting” was as far as the rumors went.

When Cedric spoke up again, asking if it was “one sided,” the viceroy wanted to rake his hands through his hair in frustration. It seemed that the other man still believed he had feelings for Naida in spite of what he’d said. He was beginning to wonder if there was anything he could say to dissuade the other nobles in the castle from thinking what they wanted about him and his sister. With the way the current conversation was going, it didn’t seem likely.

He glanced at Penelope as she spoke up on his behalf, grateful for a second voice to tell Cedric he was wrong. Unfortunately, even her efforts didn’t seem to be enough as the other knight continued to insist that there must have been something more going on between them.

[i]There is,[/i] he thought dryly. [i]We’re not ‘just friends,’ we’re family.[/i] He bit his tongue to keep from saying so out loud.

“Gods, no,” Crow shook his head again. “There are no feelings on either side. We’ve got our reasons for spending time together, but I swear to you it has nothing to do with what you’re suggesting.” He quickly turned to Penelope, eager to change the subject to anything else before the other man could reply. “So, when will you be hearing back from those barons on the warfront you’ve written?”