Bean waited a few seconds, as if making absolutely sure no more chin scratches were forthcoming, then rolled awkwardly side to side like an overturned turtle before finally finding his feet again. He meandered off the path with an exaggerated waddle and began sniffing about in the decorative landscaping that lined the edges of the gravel.
Odessa paused for a moment. With the help of an extra set of hands and arms that were stronger than she had first assumed, she had finished her nightly rounds much faster than normal, and she was left in the unfamiliar situation of having free time. She hesitated.
This is…nice, being able to talk to someone besides Dmitri. He’s a dear, but he’s so busy and stressed with royal duties that it’s hard for him to find time for more than a short conversation. But poor Katrin has been alone for even longerthan I have. As much as I’m enjoying Jax’s company, she deserves any extra time I can give her. And he needs to leave before Boris decides to emerge from his lair.
With that thought, her mind was made up. She smiled politely. “I appreciate your assistance.”
Jax’s brows rose. “I’m sensing a ‘but’ there…”
“There is no but. It’s simply that my work is finished for the night, so I don’t require any further assistance.”
“Perfect!” His eyes brightened. “What does an Assistant Keeper do for fun around here? Can we go back to the emus?”
She shook her head and rolled her eyes, fighting the smile on her lips. “Iam going to visit Sonya and Katrin. You should get back to the palace.”
“I’m honestly not entirely sure how to get back to my room–er, the room that I woke up in.” Jax tilted his head and squinted thoughtfully. “Or even that I’ve been invited to stay. Dmitri said that he would come back to get me once he was done with whatever it was he was doing.” He made a show of looking up and down the path. “And if he’s not here yet, I should probably stay with you.”
“If he’s not here yet, you can go back to the lake and wait. He’ll most likely be coming from that direction.”
“You’re really trying hard to get rid of me, aren’t you?”
It was the opposite actually. If not for the overwhelming guilt at leaving Katrin alone when she had the time and humanity to spare, Odessa would have liked nothing more than to hide away in the emu enclosure with him and laugh at every ridiculous thought that came out of Jax’s mouth, just like she had during their hours of work together. She could ask him to join her, but until she had Katrin’s blessing, she wasn’t about to disrupt their safe place with the presence of a strange man any more than she had already had to that evening.
“It’s alright.” Jax interrupted her train of thought with a brief touch to her arm, causing her to flinch in surprise. He held up his hands in apology again. “Sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I’m just…not used to physical contact.” She blew out a long breath and tried for a joke to smooth over the awkward tension in the air between them. “Swans aren’t known for being very cuddly.”
“You’d be surprised. Swans mate for life, you know, and they form deep bonds within their family units. As far as birds go, I’d say they’re some of the cuddliest—definitely more than chickens.” He gave an exaggerated shudder, then tilted his head curiously as his eyes roved back and forth, searching her face. “Do you want a hug?”
Her heart nearly tripped over itself in surprise. “What?”
“Do you want a hug?” he repeated. “Swans require at least one good hug a week; it’s part of a balanced and healthy diet. It sounds like you’re woefully malnourished.” His feet stayed rooted in place, but he held his arms out invitingly.
“I didn’t realize swans required so much hands-on care,” she drawled, crossing her arms over her chest in an effort to resist the sudden pull she felt toward him.
“I’m a Bird Catcher. If there’s one thing I understand, it’s the care and keeping of water fowl.” He wiggled his fingers, gesturing her closer. “Come on. My arms are starting to get tired.”
Odessa rolled her eyes, but she moved forward a step.
He was right. Shewasmalnourished.
She wanted a hug.
Jax took her step as an invitation, and he closed the distance between them, tipping her against his chest with her arms still crossed as a barrier between them. His own arms wrapped around her shoulders and upper back, holding her snugly but not too tightly. He was silent, and as time stretched on, Odessaslowly felt herself relax against him. Her head fell forward onto his shoulder, and she squeezed her eyes together as long-buried emotions rose to the surface in unexpected tears.
“I was worried I had imposed upon your hospitality, Dessa, but I’m beginning to wonder if I should come back later.”
She jumped back at the sudden sound of Dmitri’s voice, pulling herself easily out of Jax’s embrace. He gave her a soft smile and turned to the prince, as calm and collected as if he handed out the world’s most perfect hugs every day.
For all she knew, maybe he did.
Jax wrinkled his nose. “If these are your regular business hours, remind me to never become royalty.”
Dmitri raised an amused eyebrow. “Is that a possibility you’re concerned about?”
He shrugged. “You never know.”
Odessa let out a watery laugh as she wiped her tears with the heel of her hand. She felt the moment Dmitri’s eyes locked on her. His voice took on a hard edge. “Dessa, what’s wrong? Did he do something?”
