Chapter 9

Celia

I heard gasps around me once again as Jasper’s voice echoed through the hall, stunning everybody.

In a room full of courtiers, jam packed with highly ranked nobles and elites, in a room that had his father and brothers, he had addressed me as a dignified member of the court.

But, I was not so startled by the declaration but more so by his gaze.

His silver eyes were looking away from me, fixated on something at the other end of the table.

His hand came up and brushed my knuckles as he reached for the button and undid it, freeing my lock of hair.

He did not look at me, allowing me to admire him from up close. The way his hands gently brushed my skin left me begging for more.

I was merely an inch or so away from his face and if I leaned forward, my lips would brush his cheek.

I could feign losing my balance but that would be too much. And as if knowing what was going on in my mind, Jasper breathed,

“Still gawking?”

This time his voice was low, barely a whisper but loud enough to re