Page 85 of A Wayward Movement

“If I may, Your Majesty.” The interjection came from a member of his father’s personal guard, a man who hadn’t been on the investigation team. “I have a suggestion for how to catch the perpetrators.”

“Please.” The king held out a hand in invitation.

“As you know, we’ve been working more closely with the Craftsman’s Guild since the princess’s former bodyguard demonstrated the value of incorporating magic into our practices.”

The wince that crossed the king’s face reflected Xavier’s own thoughts. It was painful for any member of the family to be reminded of the attempt on Miriam’s life.

“We’ve been discussing with some guild members ways to use magic to communicate over long distances. I have a guard with some skill in magic, a young man, very promising, and very well able to defend himself. If the guild could find a way to activate communication between him and Captain Mitchell’s team, he could be used as bait.”

“You mean, let the kidnappers take him, and then he can use this communication magic to tell the team where he’s been taken to?” King Madoc thought it over. “It’s high risk for the guard in question, but it has promise.”

“He’ll be ready to take the risk,” the captain said. “I guarantee it.”

“Set up a meeting,” the king agreed. “I want this guard present, and some guild representatives. But keep it quiet. We don’t want the strategy leaking out.”

Chapter

Twenty

The group disbanded, Xavier half wishing he’d been sent to arrange things with the guild instead of facing his mother’s luncheon. But at least Alina would be there. Hopefully she wouldn’t use Lilah and Benji as an excuse to avoid him at the event.

He needn’t have worried. When he arrived at the luncheon, which was being held in the castle’s extensive rose gardens, his eyes found Alina immediately, and she was alone. She wore a simple gown, her hair pulled back into its usual braid, and her figure unadorned by a single piece of jewelry. Surrounded by young women in aggressively elaborate headpieces, expensive dresses, and excessive jewelry, she stood out in the best way.

Xavier approached her, his progress hampered by a number of hopeful young women. He replied to them all lightly, not rebuffing, but not entering into the flirtation they clearly wanted. He could feel the disappointment that trailed after him. And apparently Alina could, too.

“Goodness, you leave an actual trail of broken hearts behind you, don’t you?” she said by way of greeting when he finally reached her. Her eyes drifted back the way he’d come.

“Disappointed plans, maybe,” he said. “Broken hearts, no.”

“I suspect you’re right,” she said, taking a sip of the drink in her hand. “Although that’s not what that girl from earlier—Lady Liesl, is it? That’s not what she was saying just now.”

Xavier let out a low groan. “I doubt I want to know.”

“She said,” Alina continued helpfully, “that her heart felt dead while you were away, and that seeing you safely returned felt like coming back to life again.”

“That’s…revolting,” Xavier said.

“To be fair,” Alina went on conversationally, “one of her friends then told her that her heart hadn’t seemed dead when she was dancing with Lord Thorburn, and then she got very cross.”

Xavier let out a laugh that was loud enough to draw attention from some nearby attendees of the luncheon.

“Will you fight this Lord Thorburn?” Alina asked innocently, swirling her drink in her glass. “Since you’re the deadliest fighter in the land, it doesn’t seem like you have anything to lose.”

“That’s enough from you,” Xavier said sternly, well aware she could see the twinkle in his eyes. He glanced around. “Where are Benji and Lilah? Weren’t you all invited?”

“We were,” Alina said. “But the invitation came too late for them to hear it. They’d already departed for the Craftsman’s Guild. I don’t know how long they’ll be gone, but I imagine a while.”

“Why are they going to the guild?” Xavier asked.

Alina took another sip, looking innocent. “Well, since we’re here anyway, Benji thought he might as well try applying for a scholarship to train with the guild. He’s very skilled with magic, after all.”

Xavier laughed aloud as he finally understood. “That’s the whole reason you insisted on their inclusion, isn’t it? You and your careful questions about who would pay for the journey and the accommodation. You’re a sneak, Alina. And a miserly one at that.”

Alina’s grin was unrepentant. “It pays to be resourceful.”

“Sponging off the crown, more like,” Xavier said, still smiling. He felt buoyant, more cheerful than he had all morning. Alina hadn’t brought her friends to be a buffer that helped her avoid him. Her reasons had nothing to do with him. “I wish Benji luck. It would be a very good thing for both him and Lilah if he could get a place at the guild.”

Alina nodded her agreement. “It really would. We’ve all been saving toward that end for two years. But then,” she flashed him a wicked grin, “a strong, handsome prince, deadly with a blade, you know the type, swooped in and started throwing coins about, and next thing you know, here we are.”