Something Wonderful
AN ALTERNATE ENDING
Alexus doesn’t let me down.
We share an early dinner with the prince and his council in order to allow more time to rest for our coming travels. Afterward, the prince offers a last, short stroll of the gardens, invitingbothAlexus and I, as he’s become accustomed to my friend tagging along.
Thankfully, just as we step onto the veranda that spans the length of the palace, Alexus asks to be excused for the night, stretching the fakest yawn I have ever seen. The prince, of course, dismisses him, wishing him a good night.
Finally, we’re alone.
“I’d love to show you the rooftop if you’re willing,” the prince says. “We’ve been blessed with such wonderful weather during your stay. It would be a shame to not show you the sunset from the top of Shara.”
“I ammorethan willing,” I reply with a quirk of my lips. “Lead the way, Your Majesty.”
By the time we reach the rooftop, the sun is already halfway set, warming the sky in shades of deep orange, pink, purple, and red. The prince strolls to the balustrade and stares out over the land.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Stunning.”
My eyes should be glued to the mesmerizing scene, but I can’t help glancing around. The roof is covered with stone pots and trellises overflowing with fragrant roses and lit with ornate metal and glass lanterns. But the most interesting part of the decor is the double loungers lined up side by side. Four, in fact. Covered in soft cushions. For sunset viewing parties, I suppose.
I head to the nearest one, wine glass in hand, and take a seat, propping my feet up, crossing them at the ankles.
The prince turns around, an instant smile lighting his face as I sip my wine. “Can I join you?”
Mmm. His voice. It falls a shade deeper when we’re alone. Smoother. Like honeyed whisky.
I pat the cushion beside me. “I would be quite sad if you didn’t.”
A bolt of excitement races up my spine when he takes his seat next to me, his body mere inches from mine. I can feel his heat, smell the lavender and vanilla on his skin and in his hair.
We stare at the sun-painted sky in silence for a while, and I make myself focus and soak in the warmth. I will ache for this sort of heat soon. I ache for it often, though more so when winter comes.
As the colors fade from the horizon and the sky grows dim, the prince suddenly says, “Does the perfect king have a perfect queen?”
It’s such an unexpected question that I blink over at him, sure I heard him wrong. “Pardon?”
He laughs. “Does the perfectkinghave a perfectqueen? Orking? I’m only inquiring, like you did.”
“No,” I answer, probably far too quickly. “No queen. No king, either. No one.”
He bobs his head, as though deep in thought. “Interesting. I found myself wondering. About you and Alexus, mainly.”
“Oh, gods, no. We’reveryclose.” I pause, trying to figure out how to describe what we share. I settle on, “As close as two friends can possibly be. But we’re just that. Friends.”
“Truly? He’s awfully protective of you to only be a friend.”
I shrug. “He sees it as his duty, to protect his king.”And to make sure I live so he lives as well.“He drives me mad sometimes, though his heart is in the right place. But again, no. We aren’t lovers if that’s what you’re asking.”
Another topic that’s far too complex to truly explain.
With darkness falling around us, I meet his glittering eyes. “I was hoping that would be your answer,” he says. His face suddenly morphs, a bit more serious. “I’ve worried over it all week. From the moment I first saw you step out of the carriage.”
My brows rise of their own volition. “Is that so? And here I thought you hardly noticed me, all while I was ogling your ass from every angle.”
He laughs, but then he meets my eyes, and everything about his expression sets my blood on fire. “Oh, I noticed you. Surely you could tell? I’ve hardly looked away from you this entire week.” His gaze travels over me, intimate as a touch. “You’re quite possibly the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to see more.”
