And it was possible that introducing them had backfired for her. Was there any chance in the world that she could accept him as a husband for her princely son?
Hugo scoffed at his silly thoughts. What he needed right now was some sleep. Afterward, he could figure out how he was going to tell Ev and his mother about this magic nonsense.
Something was tickling his nose.
Hugo tried to bat it away and return to sleep, but a low chuckle and slight shift in the bed had him bolting upright. He wasn’t alone. He blinked awake, his heart leaping into his throat. In the dim gaslight, he found Everand lying next to him, his head on the neighboring pillow and a beautiful, mischievous smile gracing his lips.
“Ev!” Hugo gasped. “I mean, Your Highness.”
“No, you were right the first time.” The prince popped up and cupped Hugo’s face, pulling him in for a sweet kiss. Those perfect soft lips moved across his mouth, coaxing him to relax. Hugo sank into that warmth, that perfect touch, forgetting about everything except the simple joy of being with Everand again. His joy was a palpable thing between them, like a sweet drop of candy rolling on his tongue.
Even after Everand broke off the kiss, he continued to hold Hugo’s face, brushing their lips together and rubbing the tip of his nose against Hugo’s. He was a cat who couldn’t get enough affection. “I’m going to say something dreadfully embarrassing. I hope you won’t think less of me.”
“Doubtful. What is it?” Hugo pressed a kiss to the corner of Ev’s mouth, not wanting this moment to end.
“I missed you. Even though it was only a few days, I missed you.”
Those simple words gave Hugo’s heart wings. He felt as if he could fly around the room. “I missed you too.”
Everand hummed happily. “Then we need to make the most of our time together. You’re not allowed to leave my side for the next couple of days. We’re going to get you ready for the ball in grand fashion. We’ll go riding, and I’ll have our chefs stuff you with the best food you’ve ever tasted. At the ball, we’ll have a wonderful time. We’ll dance and sip champagne. Everyone will marvel at the handsome man at my side.”
But the prince’s elaborate plans became buzzing in Hugo’s ears. Hugo had gotten caught on his first sentence.
…make the most of our time together.
This was all temporary. It was clear the queen saw that his value was in a magical skill he didn’t actually possess. If he was going to be worthy of a prince, he had to prove himself. And the first step was telling the truth.
“Wait, no. We can’t.” Hugo pulled free of Everand and rolled out of the bed. He couldn’t have this conversation wrapped in silk pajamas and seated in the world’s most comfortable bed. Not when Everand was looking at him like he’d hung the moon in the sky. Everandtrustedhim.
He spotted a robe neatly folded on the bureau and pulled it on. Only after he’d tied the sash with trembling hands could he face the prince. Everand had climbed off the mattress and was leaning against one of the canopy posts, his left arm loosely draped on it.
“What’s wrong? I thought you wanted to spend time together. Even better if we’re not running for our lives.”
“I do. Gods, I do,” Hugo half moaned. He wanted nothing more than to live in a perfect daydream with Everand for a day or two. “But I need to speak with your mother. Can you get me an audience with her? She refused to see me earlier. Please help me.”
Everand’s smooth brow wrinkled, and he huffed out a laugh that sounded awkward. “If you’re planning to ask for my hand inmarriage, that conversation is usually held with my father. Not my mother.”
“Please, Ev! I’m serious,” he snapped. His voice cracked, and his hands shook so badly that he had to squeeze them into fists.
The prince closed the distance between them in a flash and grasped Hugo’s hands, which now felt like blocks of ice. “Hugo, you’re scaring me. Talk to me. What’s wrong?” As he spoke, he ushered Hugo over to a chair.
Hugo swallowed hard. “I can’t sit. I’m too nervous. You sit. It’s important for me to explain everything. Why we met. I’m just terrified that you’re going to hate me.”
Everand’s expression softened. He took the seat but held on to Hugo’s hands, squeezing them gently. “Nothing you could do would make me hate you. I don’t believe it.”
“You trust me, but I’ve lied. To you. Your mother. I’m not who you think I am. Or who your mother thinks I am. And after I tell her the truth, she could have me executed. At the very least, she’ll never allow me to see you again. Not that you’d want to see me.”
“Hugo, my heart, you’re not making any sense,” Everand said gently.
The endearment was the bit Hugo needed to spit out what was gnawing him hollow. “I can’t spin straw into gold.”
Everand sat perfectly still for a heartbeat as a myriad of emotions flashed across his face. Hugo couldn’t identify most of them, but he seemed to settle on incredulous.
“Who would ever think you could? That’s nonsense,” he scoffed.
“Your mother.”
“What?”
