Page 53 of The Marked Princess

Josselyn gave her a sad smile. “Thank you.”

Turning back toward the camp, Lily put a skip into her step, swinging her arms as she danced along. “So how are we going to oust the evil prince from the fair princess's castle? Got any ideas?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” Josselyn's smile brightened at the change of topic. “And I'm going to need the help of a certain little bird I know, if you think you're up for it?”

“Oh, I'm up for it. Look at these arms.” She flexed her thin arms, wrinkling her nose and furrowing her brow in an attempt to look ferocious. “They were made for taking out bad guys.”

“Easy there, pussy cat. I was thinking more of eyes in the sky than kitten on the ground.”

Lily sighed, kicking at the ground in mock disappointment. “Figures. Do I at least get to hold a knife or something?”

“Promise not to stick yourself with it?”

“Um... yes?”

“Well, that was convincing. Let's wait until we meet with the general and go over the plan. Then we'll discuss weapons, all right?”

“As you say, Your Highness.”

Josselyn grinned, feeling some of the weight lift off her shoulders as she walked beside the fair-haired girl. Lily was definitely the silver lining in this tragic mess. Bonded by their shared gift, they were more sisters than friends, and she was grateful to have her by her side.

“Ah, so you haven't lost your smile, after all. I was starting to wonder.”

Alex walked over to meet them, holding a tin cup in his hand. He held it out to Josselyn, amusement dancing in his eyes as he held her gaze. Josselyn felt herself starting to flush, and she hastened to take the proffered cup, holding it in front of her face in the pretense of smelling the warm beverage. Lily, the traitor, slunk off toward the campfire, murmuring some nonsense about speaking with her father before bed.

“What's this? Some kind of tea?”

Alex smirked. “Hiram made chamomile, in the hopes it would help you get some rest tonight.” His smirk faded to concern, as his eyes traced a path over her bruised face. “You've been on edge all day, although you seem a bit more relaxed now.”

Josselyn took a sip of her tea, careful to avoid making eye contact lest her traitorous body decide to betray the agitation she felt just being close to him.

“I suppose I have been rather distracted, thinking about meeting with the general and working on a plan to retake the capital.”

Alex took a step closer, the faint smell of leather and grass invading Josselyn's senses. It invited her to close the gap between them, to reach up and wrap her arms around his neck, to bury her face in his neck and just breathe him in.

He's not for you.

“So it's not just me, then, that's putting you on edge? Because you've been acting strange all day. Either avoiding me altogether or speaking to me as a princess would to her guard.”

Josselyn raised an eyebrow. “I am a princess, and you are my guard.”

Alex's lips twitched, and he took another step closer, his voice low. “True, but you've never acted like it before now.” His hand reached out to brush a stray hair out of her face, and she felt a shiver run through her body at his touch. His voice caught as he whispered her name.

“Josselyn.”

And then he was leaning in, his gaze dropping to her lips, and he was close, so close. If she just lifted her face a tiny bit...

The cup she was holding fell to the ground as her hands shot out, pushing against his chest and sending him stumbling backwards.

“No!”

His eyes widened at the desperation in her voice, and she shook her head, willing her heart to slow its rapid beating.

“I'm afraid I may have given you the wrong impression the other night, and, for that, I apologize. But, as you know, I'm betrothed to Sir Edmund Brandt.”

He shrugged. “Verbally, yes, but the engagement contract was never drawn up, much less signed. I'd say you were still free to change your mind, if you wished.” His eyes lit with a heat that she hadn't seen in his eyes since the night they danced. “You once told me you loved me. Do you remember?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I remember you telling me you only saw yourself as my guard, yes. Are you telling me you've changed your mind after all this time? That you expect me to be waiting around for you to finally return my feelings?”