Page 51 of A Wayward Movement

She was surprised to realize that her eyes were stinging with tears, just as they had been at Xavier’s parting shot all those years ago. She’d been so hurt by him calling her a coward, so frustrated over his unreasonable anger, she’d turned and stormed away from him. She’d expected one more chance to say goodbye, but when she’d returned home, she hadn’t been allowed to leave again. They’d departed the capital the next morning, and that fight had been the last words she’d exchanged with Xavier.

Until now.

“Sorry,” she said softly. “I got lost for a minute.”

Her head still knew that she’d been wise beyond her years, that it would have been a foolish mistake to take seriously Xavier’s determination to declare her as his chosen future wife. Even if the king and queen had allowed it, which she was sure they never would, he would likely have regretted it before she did. What a mess they would have had to extricate themselves from.

Still, it wasn’t exactly comfortable to remember the things she’d said to him back then. The hurt on his face still cut her deeply, doubly so now that she was coming to know the man Xavier had become. There was a certain irony in the fact that he’d gone from those passionate declarations straight into an endless string of scandalous entanglements, while she’d lived up to her own prediction and never looked romantically at anyone since. That rough, childish kiss was the only one she’d ever experienced. And sensible as her head knew herself to have been, her heart still held the memory tightly. Too tightly for peace, tonight.

“You have no need to apologize,” Lilah said. “I never knew any of this, Alina. Your courage is inspiring, to have kept your cheerfulness through all you’ve lost.”

Alina gave a hollow laugh. “I’m not courageous, Lilah, but it’s sweet of you to say it.” She sighed. “I’m going to the refinement site with the investigation early tomorrow, so I should try to sleep. And I really don’t want you to worry about me. The prince is entertaining himself with some flirtation because that’s what he does, but we both know far better than to take it seriously. Everything I just told you was so long ago. There’s no reason for me to even think of it, let alone dwell on it.”

Lilah withdrew tactfully, but Alina didn’t think her friend was entirely convinced. And with good reason. Sleep was a long time coming, and while waiting for it, Alina found it very difficult to follow her own advice when it came to not dwelling on all the varied memories she’d stirred up that day.

Chapter

Twelve

Xavier straightened the collar of his jacket, surveying himself with a critical eye. The looking glass provided by the inn’s best room was spotted in places, and warped his features slightly. But it was enough to be satisfied.

He gave a low whistle, causing Zuzu to flap off her perch by the window. Her movements were cumbersome as she flew to his arm, wreaking havoc on the sleeve of his jacket as she landed.

“You’ll get there,” he told her.

Charles entered his suite in time to hear the comment, the servant not quite hiding his smile before he reached Xavier. The younger man took in Xavier’s polished appearance.

“So you really do intend to meet Miss Alina at her home, Your Highness?”

“Of course,” Xavier said lightly, rearranging his hair slightly with one careless hand. “I said I would. Why would you doubt it?”

Charles bustled around him, his lack of answer impolitely loud.

“Charles.” Xavier’s question had a different tone this time. “Why did you doubt me?”

“It’s not my place to doubt you, Your Highness,” Charles said quickly.

“But?” Xavier prompted.

The servant cleared his throat. “Well, you did say something to Captain Mitchell when we were on our way from the capital.”

“And what did I say?” Xavier asked patiently, after a prolonged moment of silence.

Charles spoke apologetically. “I don’t know if you were in earnest, Your Highness. You spoke jestingly, but it seemed to me at the time that you wanted to be taken at your word. You said that you had no reputation to maintain out here and didn’t intend to get distracted by the local ladies, however lovely they might be.” The apology in his voice was so strong now, Xavier half expected him to start bowing. “You even told me to hold you to account if necessary.”

“Did I?” Xavier couldn’t help laughing. “How short-sighted of me. I don’t in the least want to be held to account.”

Charles fell silent, taking the hint. But in spite of his obvious discomfort at having displeased the prince, he still moved with the air of a man who had something to say.

“Out with it, Charles,” Xavier sighed, unable to take the charged silence.

“Forgive me, Your Highness, but it seems to me that you are somewhat distracted in spite of your assurances.”

“Yes, well, this is different,” Xavier said carelessly.

“You’re right, Your Highness, of course.” Charles inclined his head in submission. But his next words belied the demeanor. “Miss Alina does seem very different from the women who usually capture your attention. She seems a kind and sensible person.”

“Well, you’d best declare yourself soon, Charles,” Xavier said, irritated with his servant’s meddling. “There’s many a farmer around here who’d like to cut you out, no doubt.”