seul’s Reviews > Twin Crowns > Status Update

'Hopefully now you'll treat me with some proper respect,' said Rose, primly.

Shen flashed his dimple. 'As much as you like, Your Highness.'

Her lips twitched into a smile, and she let herself enjoy it.

Rose adjusted a curl in the mirror to find something to do with her hands. Her thoughts.

Wren snorted. 'Stop staring at her like that, Shen. If she goes any redder she'll burst into flames.'

'Nice outfit, Shen,' said Wren, reading her sister's thoughts. 'Do you want to swap?'

'I'm not sure green is my colour,' said Shen, but he was still looking at Rose. 'You look beautiful.'

'Thank you,' said Wren.

'I was talking to your sister.'

'We have the same face.'

'And yet you couldn't be more different.'

His gaze found hers in the mirror. She looked away. She couldn't allow her pesky feelings to get in the way of duty today.

It felt for a moment as if time stopped. Then the world crashed back in as a Gevran soldier barrelled into them. Shen spun Rose out of harm's way, and kicked the soldier's ankles out from under him. The clash and clamour of steel echoed throughout the Vault as the soldiers fought each other across the pews and in the aisles.

'Please stop showing off,' said Rose, in alarm. 'You're going to start a war.'

'I think it's a bit late to worry about that.' Shen curled an arm around her waist. You look beautiful, by the way. 'Is it bad luck to kiss the bride?' Without breaking her gaze he used his free hand to punch another advancing Gevran. 'On second thoughts, I don't care.' Then he dipped Rose and kissed her.

'Rose,' said Shen, grabbing her hand. 'Be careful.'

'You too, Shen.' Rose squeezed his hand and then followed her sister out of the bushes.

Shen's mouth curved. 'With pleasure, Princess Rose.' And then his lips were on hers and his arms were tight around her waist and this was kissing. Rose sighed into Shen's mouth and suddenly her lips were open, his tongue brushing softly against hers, and oh, she was wrong before because this was kissing. She felt as if she was melting, as if Shen's arms were the only thing holding her together.

Shen leaned down close, closer, until their lips were almost touching, and then he paused. Rose held her breath. 'I can't kiss you without your permission. You are the princess, remember?'

She smiled against his lips. 'Then I order you to kiss me, Shen.'

She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. 'By being very, very nice to me.'

Shen's hands came to her waist and the feeling of his touch on her bare skin sent lightning bolts sizzling through Rose's veins.

'I don't know how to kiss,' she blurted out, then winced. Oh, that was not at all what she meant to say.

'I suspect you might be a natural.'