“Notorious, really,” the brother said.
Nothing definable changed in Mitch’s demeanor, but Tasia could tell that his discomfort was softened by that bit of understanding.
With the formalities out of the way, she turned back to the prince. “But why are you here? No, wait!Howare you here? Yousaid you didn’t tell anyone who you are. How are you traveling without guards?”
“I am here unofficially.” He patted his pocket. “I have a charm that allows me to move around without being recognized. It doesn’t work on people who know me very well, like my family, but it keeps everyone else in the dark. It works even better out here, where no one is expecting to see me.”
Tasia felt Mitch stiffen, but she was rolling that information around in her mind. “Oh! So if I hadn’t heard you sneeze, I wouldn’t have been able to recognize you?”
Something that might have been a sigh eased Mitch’s shoulders as the prince laughed. “I do have a distinctive sneeze, don’t I?”
“You do,” Tasia agreed. “Now that I understandhow, I want to knowwhyyou are here. After you found out where I was, you could have sent a letter if you needed something.”
“A letter doesn’t tell me if you are safe and happy. Are you safe?”
“I have a warm roof over my head and enough to eat.”
For some reason, he looked at Mitch as if to confirm her answer. After the man’s reluctant nod, Prince Frank turned back to her and narrowed his eyes. “And are you happy?”
Reluctant to share the details of her arrangement, Tasia chirped, “I’m fine!” She would be, anyway.
Her faithful guide and bodyguard grunted low in his throat. She wasn’t sure if she felt it or heard it.
The royal sitting across from her eyed her thoughtfully for a long moment. She was scrambling for a way to switch the topic when he spoke.
“Regardless of your current circumstances, I need to ensure that you will remain safe.” He raised both eyebrows. “And happy.”
“Um—”
Prince Frank gestured to his luggage in the far corner. “You now have enough to restart your life on your own terms.” A broad smile erupted, emphasized by teasing eyebrows. “Plenty for a decent dowry.”
Warmth that seemed to be a mix of appreciation and embarrassment flooded Tasia, reminding her that she was still wrapped in all her layers. Without the wind, her cloak was becoming too much. She glanced at the window and stood up with a start when only the reflection of the flickering candle was visible.
“Oh no! It’s getting late. I need to get back before they ask questions.”
The prince also rose. “Who? What kinds of questions?” His words were brusque, but Tasia could hear the protectiveness in them.
“The Galanises know how long it takes to walk through the woods. I can’t blame all of my lateness on the ice—” Mitch’s large hand covered her own, and she realized she had been wringing them.
She turned to face him as the rest of the day’s discoveries demanded to be remembered. “Prince Frank needs to know about everything. He can help!”
Mitch’s single nod of reassurance settled her. “You go; I’ll talk.”
The prince said goodbye to Tasia, and she slipped through the door behind her scruffy protector. He escorted her to their original separation spot and made arrangements to meet the next day.
Upon arriving at the Galanis home, she discovered that their only concern about her tardiness was that dinner had been delayed. No one seemed inclined to investigate further and left her to her own thoughts. While she was grateful not to fend off prying questions, the relative silence allowed for toomuch buzzing in her own mind. Worries about Grandmother’s evil plans collided with her happiness about Prince Frank’s thoughtfulness, which in turn pinged off her concerns for how Mitch was handling that much one-on-one time with a stranger.
By the time she collapsed into bed next to the rabidly cuddly Chara, Tasia was sick of thinking. Her body ached in strange ways thanks to the unusual manner in which she had moved trying to maintain her balance on the slick path. But that was nothing to the ache in her heart and mind.
Mitch watched Tasia slip into the gloom, her red cloak quickly swallowed by the dark. He had promised to tell the prince everything relevant, but he wasn’t looking forward to it. His initial thoughts about the other man hadn’t been flattering, to say the least, but by the time Tasia’s financial support was brought up, he had started warming to the prince. Being confident that the royal had no romantic designs on Tasia didn’t mean Mitch was comfortable sharing so much with a stranger, however. The information wasn’t the problem—it was how many words it was going to take to get it all out.
Pleased that Tasia had gotten away safely (she didnotneed to be seen talking to two unrelated men alone), Mitch ghosted back to the inn and into the prince’s room. Whatever disguise trinket the man carried had to be working, because it was the worst room in the inn. Even Mitch, who was viewed as “less than” due to his outsider status, had a bigger room with substantial furniture and a decent window. He also had one of the faery-made glow lights instead of the single candle the prince had. The only thing going for the prince’s room was that it was located over the kitchen and enjoyed the residual heat.
Prince Frank was peering out the window when Mitch returned. Or trying to. There wasn’t much to see in the dark, nor was there space to look out. He waited for Mitch to shut the door.
“Sheissafe?” The prince sought assurance.
Mitch could offer a bit of that. “Physically safe. The family treats her like an unpaid servant, but they don’t harm her.”
