Page 67 of A Wayward Movement

“I’ll ride with Alina in the carriage, of course,” he told Captain Mitchell.

“Your Highness,” the captain said cautiously. “Is it really necessary to—?”

“She protected me, Mitchell,” Xavier told him shortly. “At great personal cost. Should I leave her to fend for herself now I’m recovered and she’s still suffering the effects of her efforts?”

“Of course not, Your Highness.” The captain bowed, withdrawing to put Xavier’s orders into effect.

Xavier suffered through having his superficial arm injury treated, the level of fussing much more of an annoyance than the actual pain. He thought Alina might sleep all day, but the carriage had barely arrived when she emerged, looking paler than ever.

“Awake so soon?” Xavier moved forward to meet her as she appeared in the doorway of the manager’s personal dining room, where he sat with Charles and Mitchell.

“I still feel like I could sleep for days,” Alina admitted. “But I think my stomach is what woke me. I guess my body needs fuel as well as sleep to replenish all the energy I spent.”

“Of course.” Xavier gave a quick order, and food was brought out within minutes. He watched with a critical eye as Alina consumed every crumb of it. When he went to call for more, however, she stopped him.

“I’ll make myself sick if I eat too much too quickly,” she said.

Xavier nodded. “What else can I do, Alina?”

“Honestly?” She wrinkled her nose. “I just want to be in my bed.”

He caught the slight wince as she realized she’d given him the perfect opening to say something inappropriate, but Xavier had no difficulty restraining himself.

“If you think you can manage a carriage ride, that can be arranged,” he said.

“A carriage?” She looked up in surprise. “We didn’t come in a carriage.”

“But one’s here to take you home, nevertheless.” He nodded to Mitchell. “Tell the team we’ll leave as soon as everyone’s gathered.”

The captain slipped out. Xavier had expected him to be glad they were finally leaving, but his face gave nothing away. Blair entered soon after, seeking permission to return to town with the party. Xavier granted it, turning to find Charles in conversation with Alina.

“I heard about what you did overnight,” the servant was saying. “It was an incredible feat on your own. Are you sure you don’t want to consider applying for a scholarship with the guild?”

“Charles.”

Xavier jerked his head, indicating that he wanted the servant to join him by the door. When he’d approached, Xavier lowered his voice.

“It’s fine in here, Charles, but just be careful who you praise Alina’s skills to. Given current circumstances.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” Charles said. “My apologies. If I may, though, I don’t think she’s in great danger. Her connection with the investigation team is surely a protective influence. But naturally I will be discreet,” he added hastily.

Xavier nodded, hoping that the other man was right. He was feeling increasingly anxious about Alina’s situation. While she stayed close to the team, she should be safe, as Charles said. But what about when they all returned to the capital? They had to get to the bottom of the disappearances.

A short time later, Xavier followed Alina into the carriage. Captain Mitchell had suggested that the physician stationed at the refinement site join them, but Xavier declined. He wanted Alina to himself during the journey, and he didn’t want to examine too closely why that might be.

“You don’t want to ride?” Alina asked, surprised. “Don’t you hate being trapped in carriages?”

“Usually,” Xavier said lightly. “But I’m still feeling knocked around from the basilisk. I think this will be more restful.”

Alina nodded, her eyes concerned as they passed over him, lingering on his bandaged arm.

“I won’t be very good company.” Her warning was punctuated with a yawn. “I might fall asleep.”

“I hope you do.” The carriage had started into motion, and he shifted across to sit beside her. “Lean on me, you’ll be more comfortable.”

“I can’t do that,” she protested.

“But you could physically drag me into doing the same to you last night?” Xavier challenged her.