Page 44 of Once Upon a Woven Wish
Oh, gods.
He liked her.
Perhaps it was merely because she’d healed him and his affections were displaced.She hoped that was the case.
Her sister’s face came crashing back to her.How she had that dreamy look of hope when she learned the king was coming to the village.How she hoped he was coming to pick a bride.And what did Serena do?She scoffed at the thought and dismissed it.
And yet…here he was.The crown prince sitting next to her with his smiles, casting her adoring looks.
She needed to put a stop to this.She pressed a hand against her forehead.
“My lady, are you well?”the prince asked, concern edging his tone.
This was her chance.She gave him a weak smile.“I’m afraid I have a bit of a headache.I think I’d like to retire.”
She pushed back from the table.The prince did the same.
“I’ll escort you.”
Would this never end?She forced a smile and took his outstretched hand, aware of all the eyes on her as they departed the palatial dining room.
When they were out of earshot of the room, he said, “Thank you for spending time with me today.”
She gave him a questioning glance.“In the library?”
He nodded.“No one has ever spent that much time with me before.”
Something about that made her heart squeeze.Then a wave of guilt washed over her.She merely wanted to go to the library so she could find the answers she needed about Caedon.
“I was glad to do it,” she said with a smile.
“You truly are special, my lady,” he said.
She cringed but kept her face impassive so as not to give away her inner thoughts.“I don’t think so, your highness.”
“I do.You’re brave to come here.You saved me.”
Gods, why did he have to say such things?Did he not understand she had no choice?That she could not refuse the call from the king himself?That she felt she put her life and her family in jeopardy if she refused?
She said nothing.She kept her eyes forward as they continued to walk.Relief pressed through her to see the two guards standing outside her chamber door.And though she saved the prince and was given the privilege—no, the honor—of being in the royal apartments, it was clear they did not truly trust her.
At the door, she halted and turned to the prince.“Thank you for escorting me back.”
It occurred to her then that the prince was escorting her to keep an eye on her, to make sure she went where she was supposed to go at all times.
“It was my pleasure, my lady.”He took her hand in his, held it for a long moment, his eyes searching hers.He looked as though he wanted to say something more.
Her heart kicked up speed, pounding against her ribcage.“If there’s nothing more, your highness?”
He squeezed her hand, started to release her, then held fast once again.He pressed a kiss against the inside of her wrist.Right above her racing pulse.She wanted to recoil, to snatch her hand away, but she didn’t.When his gaze met hers again, she saw delight in them.
He’d misconstrued her racing pulse as affection when, in fact, it was fear.Fear that she would not be able to escape this prison of her own making.
“Tomorrow, will you ride out with me?”
“Ride, your highness?”
“I know it’s cold out, but I would like to spend some time with you.Alone.I have…” He paused, pressing his lips together as though he was unable to find the right words.“I have something I’d like to ask you.”
