I change quickly, hoping to maybe get a chance to sneak around the castle or at the very least explore the garden further. The shy handmaiden gifted me with a white dress embroidered with little pink flowers up my spine and delicate green ivy flowing down the sleeves. Although embroidered, the dress is as soft as a cloud. It barely feels like I am wearing anything. My favorite feature is the dress' leg holes that allow me to move around freely without having to worry about a stray breeze or too casual of a sit exposing me. They did not have dresses like this in Tikilium and I find myself grateful for the change.
I leave my room with soft footfalls, taking care to pass by the boys’ room with extra caution. Although I know they are here to help guide me, I find sneaking about is best done alone. If I was found wandering the halls with them… the picture might not land me in a suitable position with this kingdom’s monarchs. I need to be as unassuming as possible in order to have any cards to play here, especially if father has anyone watching me.
I find myself once again in the gardens. I know there are listening devices here, but I cannot help but be drawn to the place. Cameras were not mentioned so hopefully if I can stay quiet enough no one will know of my being here. Although, I have only just reached my age of majority, I am still unsure of what abilities I possess. I should feel a spiritual call any day now, but alas my spirit alludes me. Usually, Pthereyians get their powers in their childhood, but that was not the case for me, much to my father's dismay. Therefore, I cannot quiet the sounds I make or the devices listening to them.
The expansive garden is a breathtaking sanctuary, filled with majestic trees, delicate pink leaves, and exquisite blossoms I've never encountered before. It is easy for me to be swept up in its beauty. I depend on the lush ground to quiet my steps as Iwander further. Luckily, nothing cracks under my weight and I am able to make it to a large clearing. Small winged creatures flutter away as I get closer. Their wings are iridescent and shimmer in the sunlight. It is there I realize I am not alone in my wandering. The prince sits with his back against one of the large trees. His eyes are closed and the winged creatures are dancing around his form. He looks so peaceful. His inky black hair is adorning his shoulders in waves and, for a moment, I marvel at his beauty. I come back to my senses in a rush and position myself behind a tree, before taking a slow, quiet breath. I hope he has not noticed me yet, although it will be hard to escape him now I am aware of his position. It is much easier to be quiet alone than in the presence of another, especially when the consequences of being caught could be disastrous.
As I go to take a step away from the prince, I hear his voice ring out “I know you are there, Alaceandra. I’ve known since you entered. Why don’t you join me?”
Fuck. Of course, he did. I lick my lips and take a small step away from the tree still wondering if I can escape.
He chuckles a deep, elegant sound and I hear a rustle from his direction. “Alaceandra, you are behind the tree. There is no reason to hide from me, this is my garden, you know. When I am connected to it, I see all. Now, come. No use hiding from your betrothed.” He says the word betrothed with a little bitterness and I wonder at the tone. Maybe he is not as enthused about our arrangement as father made him out to be. That would suit me best, I suppose, but I cannot help being a little offended by the notion.Well, no point in being miffedover a blessing.
I purse my lips before making my way over to the prince. His eyes are still closed, but he has now crossed his legs, his fingers dance across the ground as he waits for me to approach. I do, cautiously. There is no getting out of it now. When I get withintouching distance his eyes open. They flash a pretty lavender color before fading back to their grey green and he smiles.
“Nice to meet you without your escorts,” he says, wryly.
I choke back a snort. “Yeah…” I mumble “same goes for you.” I cock my hip out, doing my best to project confidence.
He snorts. “Fair, I seldom am without my own.”
I nod awkwardly.Why have I not left yet?I am standing in front of him and am starting to get uncomfortable by his gaze raking over my form. Covertly, I look for the best escape route. Returning my gaze back to his, I eye him warily. He meets my gaze, tracking me with intensity. I start to edge away from him, but quick as lightning he snatches my hand and pulls me to him causing me to ungracefully fall into his lap.What the fuck?I scramble away, once again grateful for the leg holes in this dress. Once I feel like I am safely away from his grabby hands, I sit across from the prince, warily. “What…why did you do that?”
He chuckles again. “Why do you keep trying to leave? You’ve not been focused on this entire conversation. Need to get back to those men of yours?”
I bristle at his insinuation. “What, no,” I say, maybe a little too quickly. “We have only just started talking, I was just taking in the scenery.”I really hope my new dress is not now covered in dirt.I look down to check for any spots of dirt, but also to break eye contact, and am stunned when the dress is completely unmarred.
“Right… That’s why you were eyeing the tree line like it was your only salvation.” He rolls his eyes but then lets out a chuckle causing my stomach to flutter with excitement. I bite my inner cheek willing my hormonal body to behave. The prince was an attractive man, I could admit that, but his arrogance left something to be desired. “You are cute when taken off guard, it’s too bad…” he trails off, his chuckles melting into a frown.
“Too bad?” I snap my gaze away from my dress and back again to the prince’s eyes. I hate feeling toyed with. He is making me feel unbalanced, which is frustrating. If he has this much power over my emotions after one conversation, that can only mean bad things for my future.
“Too bad you are merely a pawn, although I will enjoy playing with you.” He smirks. His eyes suggesting there was a lot more meaning behind those words than anything purely political.
I wrinkle my brow and squeeze my legs together trying to stay collected. “Playing with me?” I squeak and then become annoyed with my pitch. Ignoring any double entendres that can possibly be associated with that phrasing, I clear my throat. “As if you are not a pawn as well?”
“Pawns do as they are told and believe what they are told… I have other plans.”
“And you assume I do not?”
“Do you?” I cannot help but feel like there is an underlying condescension to his tone.
“Maybe I do, but that is for me to know and you to find out,” I bite back at him.
“Oh, I hope to.” He smiles again.
He stands offering me a hand. I take it, hesitantly. Once I stand, he traces his fingers over my arm, before pulling me forward and placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. I inhale a quick breath, my body tightening at the contact, and I internally scold myself for being unable to maintain control. This encounter alone proves he is not to be mistaken as trustworthy. His arrogance and aggressive manipulation of my body should surely make me disgusted with his touch.So why the fuck am I so turned on?
His body tenses at something and he once again leans back against the giant tree behind him, closing his eyes. I look at him quizzically.
“Here come your men,” he states before I hear hurried footsteps approach.
Chapter seven
Where is She?
Sorin
Panic cannot begin to describe how I felt when Lace was not in her room this morning. I had convinced Sam we should let her sleep in a bit longer than might have been necessary. She looked so exhausted before going to bed last night. I figured with her world being turned upside down and the plans her father has for her, maybe a little more sleep in these early days might behelpful. Even the strongest warriors need extra sleep sometimes. I regretted this decision as soon as we found the room empty.
