Page 88 of A Wayward Movement

Over the next few days, Xavier was increasingly grateful to his sister for keeping her word. For the first time in his life, he threw his energy into convincing his father that he was responsible enough to be trusted with his duties, with the result that his time was as occupied by official business as he’d predicted. Not just on the investigation, either. He took every opportunity to fill the role of crown prince, so much so that Miriam started teasing Theo that he might need to go away to the seaside in all his spare time.

When Xavier did see Alina, it was almost always in a setting where his persistent admirers made communication near impossible. The closest they got to real conversation was when he asked after Benji’s application, and Alina told him with glowing features that he’d felt the assessment went very well, and they were daily expecting to hear the outcome.

She was so pretty when she was happy, he reflected wistfully, as an advisor claimed his attention immediately after this disclosure, and Miriam stepped up to join Alina instead. True to her word, the princess was spending time with Alina each day. It comforted Xavier for several reasons, one of which was that he knew if Alina left the castle, she would do so in the company of the princess’s guards.

Of course, it wasn’t to be expected that Xavier’s change in demeanor would go unnoticed. The girls of the court made no secret of their disappointment that he’d returned at last, only to become serious and focused on his duties. Their efforts to captivate his attention, which he would once have found humorous for their very absurdity, were now a cause of constant embarrassment for him. Even Zuzu showed a tendency to be offended by his distraction, choosing to roost with the rest of her hatching rather than in his suite with him. At least he didn’t have to worry about her getting lost while they were in the castle.

They’d been in the capital almost a week when the plans were finalized and the group began to prepare for departure. Xavier was very pleased with the result of the cooperation between the royal guard and the Craftsman’s Guild. They’d gone beyond the initial idea of communication magic and developed an enchantment which should create a link between the man who was to act as bait and the craftsman who cast the enchantment. It should allow them to track the man when he was hopefully taken by the kidnappers, even if he was unconscious or otherwise too incapacitated to use a communication enchantment.

Xavier had promised himself that he’d take Alina to their waterfall before leaving the capital. He was unable to find a moment to propose the plan to her, so on the morning of their last day, he charged Charles with the message. Details would have to be worked out at the time, but he hoped Alina would stay around the castle and make herself available.

First, however, he wanted to start the day with a session in the training yard. He’d had little opportunity to spar during the week, and there wouldn’t be much chance once the investigation resumed. It was one of the only princely roles he actually enjoyed, and he was generally considered an excellent fighter.

Although not quite the deadliest with a blade in the kingdom, he thought with a shudder of remembered embarrassment.

He passed a very enjoyable hour pitting his skill with a sword against various contenders, coming out on top most of the time, although facing a couple of defeats, as well. The men all fought without their tunics, and the area was naturally not considered an appropriate place for the women of the court to enter. Xavier knew from experience that this didn’t stop hopeful young noblewomen from hovering nearby, hoping to catch a glimpse of him in a disheveled state as he was leaving. He took no pleasure from acknowledging to himself that he’d never tried to discourage this habit. In fact, the reverse.

But he had no interest in being simpered over this time, so his heart sank as he emerged from the training yard to find Lady Helena, the daughter of the visiting Torrenese nobleman. He dimly remembered that his efforts to impress her were the reason he’d adopted Zuzu. It seemed incomprehensible now. He’d barely realized she was still in Sindon.

“Your Highness.” She dropped into a curtsy, her eyes lingering on the fully loosened laces of the tunic Xavier had hastily pulled on as he left the training yard. “What a surprise to run into you.”

Xavier grimaced at the appreciative glint in her eye as her gaze passed over his form. He must look very disorderly—he’d been in a hurry to return to his suite and freshen up, hoping to catch Alina for the proposed outing before he could be pulled into any meetings.

He straightened his tunic hastily, summoning a smile.

“Lady Helena. The pleasure of the surprise is all mine, no question.”

Her lovely features wrinkled in a pout. “I hope not, Your Highness. It would be disappointing if you anticipated no pleasure for me from your company.”

The provocative words took Xavier aback a little. He knew he hadn’t exactly discouraged Lady Helena’s attempts to captivate him before he left for the north. But she’d just been one of many flirtations, and nothing about her had made a memorable impression on him. He hadn’t remembered she was so bold.

“It’s very unchivalrous of me, isn’t it?” he said. He was itching to get away and prepare to meet Alina.

“And you’re surely not unchivalrous,” Lady Helena persisted. “I can’t believe it of you.”

Impatience rose in Xavier. He remembered the encounter at the luncheon, where his studious efforts not to flirt had prolonged the attempt to get his attention so much that Alina had disappeared in the meantime. He didn’t want that to happen again. He could just walk away, rudeness be hanged. But there might be repercussions. He was more aware now of the significance of Lady Helena’s father in certain trade negotiations going on.

“I hope not,” he said, summoning a roguish smile that sat painfully on his face.

Lady Helena took the opening, lowering her gaze and pinching her features sorrowfully.

“Oh dear,” she said, blinking rapidly. “I think there’s some dust in my eyes.”

Xavier was practiced enough to understand what was expected of him. He barely had to decide to act, letting habit take over as he lifted a hand. One finger slid along Lady Helena’s jaw, ending at the point of her chin, with the perfect amount of pressure to tilt her face up to his.

She was trying to look demure, but she couldn’t hide the gloating in her eyes. Xavier tried to summon the amused derision he usually felt, but all he could find was derision. Knowing that giving her what she wanted was the fastest way to extricate himself, he smiled down into her face.

“They look perfect to me.”

She let out a breathless little giggle that didn’t adequately cover the sound of movement behind Xavier. He looked around, his finger still resting on Lady Helena’s chin, and his stomach dropped.

Alina was only a few feet away. She’d obviously just come to a stop, and her eyes flew between the pair before her. Xavier dropped his hand, but it did little to reduce his mortified frustration as Alina’s clear gaze took in not just their proximity, but his ruffled, unlaced tunic.

“I beg your pardon,” she said, dipping into a quick curtsy before turning away.

Xavier stood frozen for a moment too long, incapacitated by his dismay.

Lady Helena wasn’t equally troubled. She giggled again. “I think she disapproves.”