Page 115 of A Wayward Movement

She lifted on her toes, placing a light kiss on his jaw by way of protest. Xavier let out a small growl, his arms snaking around her waist and tugging her against him so suddenly the breath was startled from her. He lowered his head, his nose skimming down her jaw before he retraced the ground, this time with his lips trailing the line.

“Don’t start a game you can’t possibly win,” he murmured, his lips provocatively close to her ear.

“Your Highness?”

“Go away,” Xavier mumbled toward whoever was hailing him from outside. But there was no heat in the words.

Alina was so breathless as she wriggled out of his hold, her chuckle came out painfully similar to the giggles of the silly girls at court.

“We’re in here,” she called out, ignoring Xavier’s heavy sigh.

They emerged into the sunlight, climbing up the steps carved into the quarry. Captain Mitchell was waiting just inside the fence. Alina saw some of the tension leave his frame when he laid eyes on the prince.

“Is all in order?” Xavier asked, with a tone of command that secretly impressed Alina.

“Yes, Your Highness,” the captain assured him. “We found one more conspirator trying to leave. We’ve interviewed everyone on site, and we’re fairly confident that’s all of them.”

“Excellent,” Xavier said. “Where are they from?”

“Their documentation says Carrack,” the captain said. “But so far, we haven’t been able to find anyone who knew them before the project. I’m skeptical.”

Alina had been looking up at the flapping of the huge fabric tubes high above them, reflecting how cleverly the conspirators had found a source of movement that wouldn’t be suspicious. But the captain’s words brought her attention back to the conversation.

“They’re from the continent,” she said. “No question. They were full of insults for their neighbors on the Peninsula. I think they must have been planted here a long time ago, though. They’re deeply in their role. Even to each other, they spoke our language.”

Captain Mitchell considered her words, his face for once free of the wary look she’d become used to.

“There’s a great deal to be learned from all this,” he mused. His eyes strayed to the prince’s face. “I must congratulate you on taking them all alive, Your Highness. I confess I didn’t expect such restraint.” His eyes lingered on Alina.

“Yes, I was angry enough to kill them,” Xavier acknowledged, slipping an arm around Alina’s waist. “And maybe it would have been satisfying for a moment. But it wouldn’t do much to help us learn the full extent of their scheme and protect the whole region from the continent’s further plans for us.”

He seemed to feel Alina’s gaze. He looked down, narrowing his eyes.

“What are you laughing about?”

“I’m not laughing,” she said, wriggling contentedly into a better position against his side. “It’s just…when did you become so responsible?”

Xavier’s smile was rueful. “Is it very dull and dreary? You know me, I’m easily bored. My old way of doing things was getting stale, so I thought it was time to try something new.”

“Not boring at all,” Alina assured him, smoothing a bunched section of his tunic. “In fact, I find it very attractive.”

“Is that so?” There was a wicked glint in Xavier’s eye. “That’s convenient, given that my primary aim, since I saw you in that dressmaker’s shop, has been to attract you, regardless of the cost either to my duties or your peace of mind.”

“You’re a scoundrel,” Alina laughed, shaking her head.

“Yes, probably,” Xavier agreed. “But I’m your scoundrel, so you’d best get used to it.”

Alina smiled secretly to herself. She had a feeling she could get used to it very easily.

Epilogue

Alina’s heart sang with the sheer joy of motion as her horse galloped along a route that had once been familiar. She was absolutely besotted with the mare, which Xavier had given her for a betrothal gift. The creature had warmed to her as well, and the Dust stirred up by its pounding hooves and flicking tail called out to Alina, eager to lend itself to her purposes. She anticipated a lot of very enjoyable rides on the mare.

Alina harnessed some of the Dust just for the delight of it, letting it out in the form of tiny sparks that showered around her.

“Show off.” Her companion called the words from a horse racing just alongside her.

“You’re one to talk!” she said.