Page 23 (1/2)

Miles has returned, a drink in each hand They’re filled to the brim with iced tea, pieces of fruit, and, I think, even cucu the crowd, a little crease between his brows "Did soone?"

"Someone was rude to me, so I caused an international incident," I reply before taking the sweating glass froratefully

And then I prolass, it is not iced tea It’s sweet and bitter all at once with so, whatever it is, but for someone who’s only ever had half a lukewarm beer, it’s way too much, and my eyes water as Miles looks atthe glass back at hi both drinks in his haste, and now people are definitely watching us, probably because I look like I’

"Pi that he needs to keep going with that explanation

When he just continues to stare at me blankly, I roll my eyes and say, "I have no idea what that is"

You would think I just told hi He seems that incredulous "It’s a drink Popular here in the suain now, and I dab atI haven’t smeared my s"

I look up at Miles, waiting, and he clears his throat "Mostly gin"

"Lovely"

We stand there for a lasses back into the tent When he cooblet filled with ice and sparkling water "Better?" he asks, handing it to me, and I nod

"Thanks"

For a second, there’s an aard silence, and finally I clear lass of water inout of the way, spill the tea"

Miles is still watchingover his forehead, hands shoved in his pockets "Spilltea," he says slowly, and I roll ht people here loved El"

Understanding dawns on Miles’s face, and he rocks back on his heels a little "Ah Well" He glances around us, and I notice the top hat he was holding seeood, because honestly, no one should be forced to wear that thing "Let’s walk a bit, shall we?" he says, offering ain I take it, and he leadsthe racetrack

A cloud , and Miles puts one shiny shoe up on the lower rail of the fence "I’ like a ponce," he finally says, and I cut him a look from the corner of my eye

"Point taken, too late for that," he , "Regular people love your sister Think she’s down-to-earth, kind, sfroht But these people"--he tilts his head, gesturing to the crowd behind us--"would rather see one of their own as the future queen"

"Would you?" I ask, lifting my drink to take another sip, and he turns his head, surprised When he’s not looking down his nose at everything, it’s easier to re, ith the good bone structure and pretty eyes

"I like Ellie," he says, which I notice isn’t really an answer, but I let it go for now, turning my attention back to the track in front of us

"So how did you end up a Royal Wrecker?" I ask "Because, honestly, you don’t seem all that wreckish"