The world came to a sudden standstill, sure that she was dreaming. Taking a shaky breath, Alex whispered with her eyes cast down, “I wouldn’t mind.”
“Then lie back, little fox,” he said, his eyes sparkling, “So I may find your lips.”
She leaned into the soft moss.It can’t be. It can’t be.Her mind spun the words over and over as he placed one hand on the ground beside her. He hovered above her, a hair's breadth away. She looked into his eyes and felt everything else slipping away. The water rippling beside them was gone. The moon above them was gone. Her breath slowed; her lips tingled. And there was only Philippe.
He dropped his head, enough to make contact. His lips teased hers apart. Then he moved closer, giving Alex her first taste of intimacy. He stroked his hand through her hair, and took another delicate drink from her lips, lingering long enough to change Alex’s entire world. But before pressing his body closer, like she thought he would, he stopped and pulled back.
He looked down into her eyes, brushing his thumb against her cheek. “Come now,” he said. “You must sleep if you plan to win.”
She wanted more, she wanted everything, but she would take it as a promise of what was to come. He smiled, then he rose and held his hand out. She took it, and they began the walk home.
The moonlight brought them to the back doors of the palace. As they approached, Philippe leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Go in,belle,” he said, smiling. “I shall leave you here.”
She nodded and grinned, drunk on the magic of the beautiful life that had just been sworn to her.
She realized, walking up the steps in a daze, that she had always been fascinated to learn what it took to become a man. But at that moment, and for the first time in her life, Alex wanted to know what it meant to be a woman. Whatever it meant, giving up her sword, becoming a proper lady, she didn’t care. She would become whatever he wanted her to be if it meant being his woman.
Odd, she thought briefly, that he didn’t come inside and go up to his own room.
The next morning, Alex stood in the preparation area next to the arena where the games were being held. The town was alight with energy and thelittle practice cove set up for the juniors was filled with the sounds of clanging swords and boys shouting. Alex stood alone, unfocused and dreamy. What better feeling was there than to be in love? Doves in her heart! Harps strumming above her!
Then she heard a voice that could destroy her on even the best of days.
It was Emily, beautiful Emily in a lavender silk gown, with her bouncy blond hair, pouty pink lips and ice blue eyes. She glided up to Alex with an expression Alex knew meant trouble. Emily came from a well-known and well-connected family in Chevalerie. She was a few years older, and everything Alex wasn’t: graceful, stylish, elegant. Vindictive and cruel. Though Alex could knock down boys twice her size, Emily fought with weapons Alex didn’t understand, often teasing and confusing Alex to tears.
AlexhatedEmily.
This time, though, Alex knew something Emily didn’t, and a newfound confidence wrapped her in knight’s armor.
“Not now, please,” Alex said, trying out a haughty air. “I haven’t the time.”
“Don’t talk to me like we are equal, are you thick?” Emily tugged Alex’s hair.
Startled, Alex lost the grip on her sword. It clattered to the ground. “Don’t touch me,” she stammered. Oh, she could not wait to see Emily’s reaction when Philippe declared his intentions.
Emily grabbed the sleeve of Alex’s dress, pulling her close. “Stay away from Philippe,” she whispered in Alex’s ear. “He is mine,” Emily growled.
Alex pushed out of Emily’s grip and backed up. She hadn’t wanted to say anything yet, but Emily was making things quite impossible. Really, it was her only choice. She couldn’t deny it would feel very good to put Emily in her place for once. “I don’t wish to inform you this way,” she began with newfound sophistication. “Philippe shall declare his intentions for me soon. Perhaps even tonight at the champions’ ball.” The words made her feel prouder than she ever had in her life.
“Oh, you poor, silly girl.” Emily laughed mirthfully with her hands up to her lips. “Do you think you deserve a man like him?”
“But,” Alex hesitated. “It’s true.”
“He told me he practiced with you last night,” Emily said. Then she lowered her voice and leaned in. “Then he warmed my bed.”
Alex stared at her, not quite understanding. “What do you mean?—”
Emily crossed her arms. “Think hard,” she said, a smirk at her lips.
It couldn’t be true. Surely Philippe wouldn’t have kissed her if he didn’t plan to pursue her formally. But the more Alex thought about it, the more Emily’s words rang true. Philippe hadn’t made any promises or said he had intentions for her. He hadn’t lingered with her, stealing more kisses in the moonlight. He hadn’t even pretended to go to his own room in the palace after they said goodnight. Alex blinked. Her gushing happiness drained into the dirt below, leaving her stinging and parched.
“Emily,” came a commanding voice behind them. It was Philippe. He’d come around the fence and stood just a few steps away.
Emily turned to him. “There you are, My Lord,” she said in a sugary tone. She curtseyed low to the ground then rushed to take him by the arm. “Philippe, Alexandra seems to think that you have intentions for her.” Then she asked, “Is that true,Monsieur?”
The bewilderment on his face said enough. Alex looked away, the horror of her delusion becoming real.
