PEONY CRIMSON'S POV
I straightened up and sat staring at him with a kind of bitterness filling the roof of my mouth, surprised to be shoved so unkindly.
"That he is worthy of forgiveness." I said, no louder than the swish of the night breeze, but as serious as a heart attack.
Xavier also sat up, squaring his shoulders. He blinked, then chuckled. His hand tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.
"My Queen, your jokes are hilarious," he replied, about to lead me back to bed.
I shook my head. "No, I mean it," I emphasized, "The deep regret and despair mixed with anger reflected so brightly in his eyes when he talked to me."
A sheen of pain smeared across Xavier's golden eyes, and he squinted. His hands dropped to the mattress and his glare hardened, slashing the air between us with disdain.