Crow sat tensely as Elizabeth spoke with Penelope, keeping his gaze lowered to his plate as if the food was suddenly interesting. It felt strange that someone from such a distant part of his life had reappeared and was now conversing with the woman he was currently in love with. He wasn’t sure what to think about it. In a way, he supposed the situation wasn’t so different from when the knight had met Hazel, since they had a history too, but he and the herbalist had already moved on from that part of their lives. Meanwhile, Liz was an unclosed book. They hadn’t even been able to part ways properly seven years ago, since they had been interrupted by her father. He had no idea where they stood with each other now.

[i]It won’t ever be the same though,[/i] he reassured himself, glancing up at Penelope across the table. Whether Elizabeth thought so or not, he was never going to be with her again. He just wished she had stayed put in Colchester instead of seeking him out now, so he could have avoided the discomfort of explaining it to her.

As he looked at the knight, he paused, noticing that she seemed unhappy about Liz’s presence at the table. He bit the inside of his lip. Knowing how difficult her morning had already been, he wished he could convince the noblewoman to leave, so Penelope wouldn’t be stressed by her. Unfortunately, it seemed like Elizabeth wasn’t going anywhere.

“The princess?” she mused, looking between Crow and Penelope with interest. “Sounds like you’ve got friends in high places, huh?” Turning to Crow she flashed another smile. “Although, I suppose it’s only natural since you’ve got such a high rank, yourself.” When the viceroy just shrugged in response, she went on. “You know, I was surprised to hear you even took a noble title in the first place. Last time I saw you, you were going on and on about how great it was to be a criminal with no rules. What changed your mind?”

Crow shifted his weight again. “I guess I just got my priorities straightened out,” he answered vaguely with another subtle glance at Penelope.

“Mhm,” Liz studied him. “Well, I’m glad you did, since it means we’ll be able to see each other again.” Her grin broadened. “I got a room in the castle, so I’ll be able to stay in the citadel for a while.”

“Did you now?” Crow forced a smile in return, though inwardly, he cursed whichever knight had given her permission to be a guest in the palace.

The noblewoman nodded, “I want to catch up with you, and that couldn’t happen if I didn’t get a room. Now, we can spend as much time together as we want.” Leaning a little closer to him, she reached beneath the table to rest her hand on his leg. “Of course, we don’t have to talk if you prefer,” she added in a lowered voice, casting him a coy wink.

Crow fought the urge to flinch at her touch, wishing again that she would have chosen a different time to approach him. It was difficult not to push her away when Penelope was sitting so close by. “I hate to bring down your expectations, love, but I don’t have much free time these days,” he offered her an apologetic look, discreetly pulling back from her to put some distance between them. “It might be better if you just go back home rather than waste your time here.”

“We’re talking now, aren’t we?” Liz pointed out slyly. “I’m sure we can make time if we try hard enough.”

[i]Gods, she’s stubborn.[/i] “Perhaps,” he admitted, taking a bite of food. “I just wouldn’t get my hopes up if I were you.”

“When did you become such a downer?” she rolled her eyes, nudging him teasingly with her shoulder. “I’m starting to think I should have followed you when you left my bedchamber. You sound like you need someone to brighten your perspective.”

“I’m just being realistic,” Crow shook his head. He ate another large bite of bread, suddenly eager to finish his breakfast so he could get away from the persistent woman.

Liz pursed her lips, her blue eyes dancing to Penelope for a brief moment before returning to the viceroy’s face. “Alright then, how about after supper tonight?” her sultry smile reappeared. “If we finish our meals fast enough, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to [i]catch up[/i] with each other later.”

Crow hurriedly took a drink of his water to conceal his surprise at her brazen remark. Elizabeth had been bold when he’d known her years ago, and it seemed that quality hadn’t faded at all since then. “I just remembered I have plans with Naida after supper already,” he lied, shooting her a helpless look. “Sorry, darling. It’ll have to be another time.”

“Oh,” Liz frowned and then leaned into his side playfully again. “Well, it can’t be helped. Just don’t keep me waiting too much longer, okay, thief?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Crow said, cringing at his own words. He quickly finished off the rest of his plate and stood up. As much as he wanted to spend more time with Penelope, he was far more eager to get away from the noblewoman. He supposed they would just have to find time to meet up again later. “I’ve got another lesson this afternoon, so I should get going.” He casted the knight one more apologetic glance before stepping away from the two. “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, Collin,” Liz said perkily, following him with her eyes as he hurried out of the Great Hall. Once the viceroy was gone, she turned to Penelope with an upturned nose. “For your sake, I hope you meant it when you said you just share a mutual friend. You may have been his guard, but I was his lover. It’s only a matter of time before he comes back to me.” She rose from her seat and smiled arrogantly. “You don’t stand a chance.”