Page 128 of A Thieving Curse

Alex clutched her waist. “Raelyn. Do you want to marry me?”

“Of course—”

“All right.” Alex spun toward the doors and sucked in a breath, his eyes squeezing shut.

Raelyn moved her hands from behind his neck to his chest. “Alex—”

“Young man,” Father said in a low, threatening tone. “Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear.” He tried to go around Gareth, but her brother wouldn’t let him pass.

Alex started down the hall. “Just try to stop me without causing a diplomatic incident, Your Excellency.”

Father worked his jaw. “Fine. But an inauspicious start to our alliance, Your Highness.”

“But,” Mother stammered, “the royal wedding—”

“We can have an official ceremony later.” Alex smiled at Raelyn. “Right, Rae?”

She kissed his cheek. “If we need to.”

Alex kissed her forehead, then continued toward the doors. He stumbled with a suppressed whimper, then stopped.

“Alex.” Raelyn’s heart squeezed. “You’re hurt. You can put me down.”

“But I like carrying you. And I know you like it,” he added teasingly, making her blush. He stepped forward and winced.

“Alexander,” she said gently.

“All right.” He set her down with a sigh.

“Is it your back?”

He shrugged. “My back mostly just pinches and itches. And feels like it’s missing something. A few somethings.” He grimaced. “My feet are the problem. But I’ll be fine.” He took her hand. “Let’s go get my family.”

The two men on duty in the dungeon guardroom leapt up from their seats when their former charge showed up with the princess of Eynlae. They regarded the crown on Alex’s head with confusion, their disbelief clear as Alex demanded the immediate release of his friends.

“We…um…” The shorter guard fiddled with his sword. “We would need orders from the king—”

“Iam your king!” Alex stomped his bare foot, then grunted in pain. Raelyn wondered with amusement if that childish gesture was going to replace his penchant for thumping his tail on the ground. “Or I will be as soon as I’m crowned, but—”

The door behind them banged open, and a harried-looking servant rushed in. He gasped and bowed to Alex. “Your Excellency, pardon me. I am just alerting the palace guards to the change in regency. I apologize for the delay.” The man turned to the guards. “The Court of Lords has recognized Crown Prince Alexander Tallon, this man, as the rightful king. His orders are to be obeyed as from your sovereign.” He bowed again. “If you’ll excuse me, Your Excellency.” With that, the servant hurried off.

The guards scrambled to get keys and disappeared into the dungeon. Alex started after them, but Raelyn stopped him.

“Not kingly,” she said with a shake of her head.

Alex perched on the edge of one of the guards’ chairs. He winced as he straightened his legs so the soles of his feet weren’t on the rough floorboards. Raelyn’s stomach lurched. Most of the skin on the bottom of his feet was torn and bloodied or sporting split blisters, and what little remained was thickly calloused.

“It’ll heal.” He lifted a brow. “And I think a king can avoid being on his feet for a while. Besides, feet aren’t involved in kissing you.”

She ran her fingers along the edge of her red overdress, glad the servant and guards had left. “They’re a bit involved in walking down the aisle and standing to take vows.”

“I can deal with the temporary discomfort since I plan on spending the rest of the day in bed.” His eyes sparkled as the corner of his mouth turned up in a scandalous smirk.

Heat flashed over Raelyn’s chest and face. She tried to respond, but all that came out was a strangled squeak.

Alex snickered, appearing pleased with himself. “I’m exhausted after all that walking and sleeping on the ground and a dungeon floor for days and days. I’m looking forward to sleeping in a bed.”

“Oh.” She tugged on one of her curls. “Obv-obviously. Of course. Right. Good.”

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