Page 27 of A Wayward Movement

Six

The market was clear across the other side of town, already beginning to fill with shoppers. Surely too many for the small town’s population. However nervous everyone claimed to be, the supposed disappearances weren’t deterring people from traveling throughout the area.

Not eager to incur any more veiled warnings regarding undefended girls, Xavier didn’t ask for Alina this time, but for the artisan Mrs. Pincer had named, who apparently employed Alina.

The stall wasn’t difficult to find, nestled right in the heart of the action. Shoppers flowed around it like a bubbling stream, although plenty were also stopping to browse. Xavier hung back, watching from a distance as Alina promoted the wares with a sunny smile that had been conspicuously absent in their interaction the day before. Her hair was tied back in a braid now, and her emerald-green dress swished about her in a pleasant way as she moved along the stall.

Stars above. He’d thought her the prettiest girl in the world when they were fourteen. Then she’d shattered his naive, young heart and he’d spent the next ten years denying admiration for any girl who looked or acted the slightest bit like her.

And now here she was, a bright-eyed girl no longer, but a poised and confident woman. Trying now to deny her attractiveness would be childish and pointless. She put every girl he’d ever flirted with to shame, and she did it without trying to attract his attention.

None of that need unsettle him, he assured himself. Not now the shock of her reappearance had worn off. It was just a simple fact that she was appealing. He’d become an expert in the appraisal of female beauty in the years since they’d known one another, and his impassive assessment was that she was stunning. She had none of the frills the girls of the court curated so carefully, but her appeal didn’t suffer any for it. She had something much more engaging in her exquisite features and unassuming grace.

That didn’t mean his defenses were in danger.

He wasn’t the only one to notice her attractiveness. Her stall was the busiest of its section of the market, and Xavier had no doubt she was half its allure.

With measured steps, he strolled forward, unbothered by the whispers that rippled inevitably from his passage. He took enjoyment from the moment Alina saw him, noting the slight hitch in her breath. Then her smile returned, albeit a little less bright.

So she’d gathered herself since the day before. Less entertaining, but in line with what he knew about her strength of mind.

“Your Highness.” She bobbed as close to a curtsy as could be managed behind her stall. “Welcome to the markets.”

“Thank you.”

Xavier smiled in a detached way at a pretty redheaded girl who was giggling behind her hand to her friend. His manner wasn’t flirtatious, but the giggling increased nevertheless.

“Are you interested in some commemorative plates?” There was the hint of a laugh in Alina’s voice now, and Xavier picked up one of the plates with interest.

A grin spread over his face as he took in the picture. “Ah yes, a happy event. It’s a good likeness of my brother. But his expression isn’t quite severe enough.” He put the plate back down. “He’s the responsible prince, you know.”

Alina didn’t rise to the bait, instead carefully settling the plate back into position on its little stand.

“I came in hopes of having a word with you,” Xavier told her.

Surprise flitted across her face, and her gaze darted out to the many others standing nearby.

“With me, Your Highness?”

Xavier gave a small sigh. The constant use of his title was tedious, but he supposed he shouldn’t be surprised. The movement of his chest caused Zuzu to stir, popping her head out of his pocket with a disapproving sound.

A few quickly stifled shrieks greeted her big entrance, the general fascination expanding to include the anzu as well as Xavier.

“Yes, with you. Will you walk with me a moment?”

“I’m…I’m in charge of the stall at present,” Alina said blankly. “I’ll be finished around noon.”

Xavier raised an eyebrow. “Surely you can take a moment.”

“I’m being paid to be here, Your Highness,” Alina said. “I can’t just leave it unattended.”

At that moment, a balding man in middle age bustled into the stall.

“Alina, child, how many of the—” He cut himself off as he caught sight of Xavier, bowing so low his forehead was in danger of knocking the plates down. “Your Highness! What an honor to have you visit my stall.”

“Your wares are of fine quality,” Xavier told him in a friendly way. “I was just saying what excellent workmanship went into these plates.”

The artisan beamed, bowing again.