Page 30 of A Wayward Movement

Xavier’s hand shot out, closing around her wrist with an irresistible grip. “No, I didn’t mean that,” he said. “Don’t flounce off.” He summoned a smile, although the expression felt pained. “We’ve already achieved perfection in the art of leaving things unfinished and parting horribly. Why don’t we try something new?”

For a long moment, there was silence, Alina’s eyes still angry as she wrestled with whatever response she wanted to make. Then, to Xavier’s surprise, the tension drained out of her and she let out a laugh.

“Thank goodness,” she said. “I didn’t care for a taste of angry, sullen you. I’d much prefer to see your famed charm.”

“Is that so?” Relief at the abrupt turn buoyed Xavier up, and with it came the stirring of a familiar thrill. It was the brief flash of excitement that always cut through the tedium of his life when he was presented with a challenge.

And yet, it wasn’t familiar at all. This was different, in every way different. Because Alina wasn’t being coy—she wasn’t inviting pursuit. She was just authentically fascinating. And for once, Xavier actually cared about the outcome, not just the sport. It made it terrifying in a way no other flirtation ever had been. But also a thousand times more exhilarating.

He only cared about the outcome because he had something to prove when it came to this particular girl, he assured himself. After all these years, of course he wasn’t still in danger from her.

“If charm is what you want,” he informed her, “I’m sure I can rise to the occasion.”

“No doubt,” Alina said humorously. She tilted her head meaningfully toward where he still gripped her wrist. “Are you going to let go of me now?”

“Not at present,” Xavier told her pleasantly. “I’m the crown prince, you realize. I have authority over everything in the kingdom, including this wrist of yours. I don’t feel like relinquishing it just yet.”

“Is that your idea of charm?” Alina asked, eyebrows raised. “Throwing around your rank to get your way, and blatantly commanding people to recognize your authority?”

“It’s one of many examples,” he told her, a lazy smile growing on his lips. It was an expression that often drew attention to that feature, but Alina wasn’t so easy to crack. His smile grew. “Most girls don’t seem to mind.”

“Clearly I’m not most girls,” Alina said, put out.

“Don’t I know it?”

Xavier tossed the empty passion fruit shell into the garden. Maintaining his grip on Alina’s wrist, he stepped forward, bringing his body closer to hers than etiquette dictated. His free hand rose in a practiced movement, one finger brushing against her chin. The touch was casual, but its force was nevertheless insistent as it tilted her face up to his.

“What are you doing?” Alina demanded, her voice a little less steady this time.

“Showcasing another example of my famed charm, which I believe you requested.”

“I see.” Alina paused. “Well, this one is also falling flat.”

“Is it?”

Xavier smiled down into the eyes that were holding his steadily and boldly. His experienced gaze took in the slightly too rapid rise and fall of her chest, and the way her hands shifted against her skirts as if she wasn’t sure what to do with them.

“Such a shame,” Xavier said, stepping back and releasing her. “My skills have been exaggerated, it seems.”

“Evidently,” Alina agreed, sweeping her braid behind her ear with a gesture that was too casual.

Xavier turned away to hide his smirk, knowing it would do his cause no favors for her to see it. Internally, however, he was well satisfied with his efforts. Say what she would, Alina was not immune to him.

“Now will you tell me what the investigation needs from me?” Alina asked firmly.

“Yes.” Xavier’s tone turned brisk. “We want you to be our guide and assistant for the duration of the investigation.”

Chapter

Seven

“Me?” Alina said, startled. “Why would you want me to help?”

“You’re a local,” Xavier said. “You know the town and the people. You’re well liked, so people will speak to you. You lived in the forest as well, so you have connections outside this town. And you have skill with magic, which is always useful, and doubly so when we’re investigating supposed kidnappings of people skilled in the craft.”

Alina listened skeptically to this smooth speech, but the last part drove the rest temporarily from her mind.

“Why do you call them supposed kidnappings?”