“Ouch.” Dmitri winced.
“I thought you liked him,” Jax said, taking the prince’s side in an effort to appear impartial.
“He’s perfectly fine…for a prince. No offense, Dimi,” she added quickly. “I just don’t want to be a queen.”
He breathed out a laugh. “None taken. Well, now that that’s all settled, I should probably head back to the palace and let you get on with your night. I’ll stop by tomorrow if I can. Bird Man, you’re with me.”
He snapped his fingers with all the confidence of a future king and turned on his heel, gesturing for Jax to follow. Jax hesitated for a moment, looking over at Odessa, who gave him a small smile and a wave. On impulse, he crossed the distance between them and gave her a quick, tight hug. “Have a good night. Take care of my dragon for me.”
He spun around and trotted after Dmitri, slowing to a walk as he fell into step beside the prince. Dmitri eyed him suspiciously. “What are you doing?”
“Heading to bed, hopefully.” He stretched his neck from side to side. “It’s been a rather long day.”
“I meant with Odessa.”
He couldn’t help it; he looked over his shoulder to see her white dress disappearing down the path into the Menagerie. “I’m just trying to help.” He faced forward again.
“Is that what you call it? I found you with your arms all over her, and then again just now. What are you thinking?”
He bristled. “I gave her ahug. You know, those things that friends give to one another when one is feeling overwhelmed or sad? A basic, simple way of letting someone know you care about them?”
The defense came far too easily to his lips, despite the fact that, truth be told, hehadn’tbeen thinking. He hadn’t needed to. Being with Odessa was easy—they fit together like two pieces of a puzzle, and he couldn’t remember the last time he had fallen so comfortably into conversation and laughter with someone he had just met. Even after one evening together, it was hard to remember that they hadn’t known one another their whole lives. Offering her a hug had felt natural, and the way that she had relaxed into his arms, as though finally free of a heavy weight, had made his heart ache for her.
Dmitri’s brows lifted. “Friends,huh?”
“An accurate description of the relationship between us, considering the fact that we met for the first time yesterday.”
Though our first meeting did include a kiss.
“You and I met yesterday.”
“Are you saying you also want to be my friend? I accept.” Jax grinned mischievously, then sobered when he caught Dmitri’s frown. “I promise you, I’m not trying to harm Odessa in any way.”
Dmitri studied him for a long moment before nodding once. “You better not be. Don’t forget: I’m the Crown Prince. I havethe authority to have you exiled. If you hurt her, there won’t be a place in Kovskia safe for you.”
Jax chuckled and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Understood, Your Highness. I’m just here to help.”
“You really want to help her find a husband?”
Honestly? Not really.
“Yes,” he lied.
“Why?”
“Because it’s—”the only way to break her curse. He tried to force the words out of his mouth, but despite his best efforts, his tongue refused to cooperate. His head suddenly ached as if someone had struck two loud, discordant bells right beside his ears, sending the sound rippling in painful waves all the way to his teeth.
This must be what Odessa meant when she said it was physically impossible to talk about.
“Because…?” Dmitri prodded.
He smiled, though the expression was false. “She saved my life. It’s the least I can do to repay her.”
And if I ever have the pleasure of meeting Boris, I’m going to release a flock of chickens in his house and ensure that there is a rooster crowing behind him at all times.
Maybe I’ll even send the emus after him.
“I’ve been thinkingabout your upcoming party.” Jax threw himself into a wide, cushioned chair opposite a dark mahogany desk in Dmitri’s study. The tall windows lining the far wall looked out over the meticulously tended gardens and revealed the sun which was just starting its western descent.
