Page 55 of A Thieving Curse

Lucas stuck his tongue out at Alexander, to Raelyn’s amusement.

Meredith scrutinized the prince. “Where did you go?”

“Raelyn wanted to see her family before they left the mountains.” Alexander focused a little too intently on his food.

Peter gaped. “What does that mean?”

“I took her to their camp and let her see them from the shadows.” He continued to focus on his plate.

Jasper curled his fist on the table. “Did anyone see you?”

“No.”

Meredith leaned toward Alexander. “What if she had screamed or shouted or—”

“She promised not to.” Alexander met her eyes across the table. “She kept her promise.”

Meredith sat back in her chair, her lips thinned into a disapproving line. “That was foolish.”

“It was kind,” Raelyn interrupted. They all looked at her, and she rolled her fork between her fingers. “I may not have spoken to them, but it helped me say goodbye.”

For a moment, no one spoke. Then Lucas voiced what doubtless everyone was thinking. “Does that mean you’re staying? No more running away or asking to leave?”

She still wished there were another way to protect Eynlae and Alexander and his family and avoid putting her own life at risk, but she didn’t see how. “Yes. At least until there’s no chance I would have to marry Tristan.”

Meredith grinned, and her posture relaxed. Jasper gave a self-satisfied nod and said, “I knew you’d come around.”

“So did you turn into a dragon or carry her?” Lucas asked as he took a huge bite of toast.

“Carried her.” Alexander’s eyes danced. “She held onto my neck so tightly at first she nearly strangled me.”

The others laughed, and Raelyn’s face heated. “I did not,” she muttered.

“She relaxed but still had a pretty firm grip. Maybe she likes holding on to me.” He gave her a dastardly smile.

Raelyn’s mouth dropped open, and she gasped, an offended, wordless exclamation. “I didn’t want you to drop me! It was a long way down!”

His eyes twinkled. “Mm-hmmm.”

She pressed her palm against the tabletop. “Alexander purrs.”

Alexander turned bright red. Meredith choked on her drink as Peter blinked rapidly, and Jasper gave a very undignified snort.

Lucas banged his hand on the table. “Ha! Itoldyou I’ve heard him purr! I told you! None of you believed me!”

“I don’t purr!”

“Yes, you do,” Raelyn said.

“And, um.” Meredith tilted her head, her face pinched with confusion, mirth, and a little suspicion. “Why did he purr?”

Alexander slumped. “I didn’t purr.”

“I guess he was happy I called him Alexander.” Raelyn sipped her water, enjoying his discomfort. It was a little mean, but after everything she’d been through, it felt nice to get some payback.

“I’m not a cat.” Alexander stabbed his fork into his eggs. “Or a puppy.”

Jasper chuckled. “Was he pouting?”

---