6. Library #2
Julian wrapped an arm low around my waist, holding me steady as I swayed.
“It appears the kitchen gossip is alive and well.”
I bit my lip as my eyes roved over his broad frame. “I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I’m afraid my lack of sleep has made me out of sorts.”
“There’s no need to apologize, Princess. But I’m not letting you go for the moment.” He met my gaze and smiled at me with a sort of disarming charm.
“Aren’t you supposed to write down my answers?” I glanced down at the parchment on a thin board he had dropped to catch me.
“I think I will remember whatever you have to say just fine,” he muttered so quietly I almost didn’t hear him.
My legs felt like the gelatinous dessert they favored in the capital as I swayed again, but he just held me tighter.
“Are you well?” Julian asked, his brow raised precariously high on the unmarred side of his face.
“Is that one of the questions?” I asked.
“No,” Julian smirked. “Just one friend asking another.”
I squeezed my lips into a thin line, unwilling to meet his eyes as I asked, “And are we—friends?”
I chanced a glance at him to see a soft smile stretch across his face. “I would like to think so. Take a turn about the room with me?”
I grinned and nodded. “In that case, no—I’m not alright. I truly didn’t sleep a wink all night.”
“Oh?” Julian asked, a gleam I took for concern brightening his dark eyes. His strong arm never left my waist, however, and I found myself leaning into his touch. “Is there something wrong with your accommodations?”
Zuri’s warning replayed in my mind. Even if Julian was a friend, he still worked for the Prince and I needed to be careful about how I answer.
“Heavens no!” I replied as I stiffened. “I think—I think I just miss home is all.”
Julian’s eyes dimmed as he nodded. “That’s understandable. But I wouldn’t worry—you’ll adjust soon enough.”
I sighed, feeling guilty for lying to a friend. “I hope so. I love my home.”
“Would you be sad to leave it?” Julian asked. “If you married the prince?”
“I would, but …” I trailed off, not knowing exactly how to put to words what I was feeling.
“But … ?” Julian prompted, as we stopped in front of the painting of Wimberley I had studied the day prior.
I clamped down on my lower lip before meeting his gaze once more. “Do you ever just feel like you were meant for more?”
Julian stared perplexed. “More?”
“Silver Hill is small, very small. I know everyone’s name, who’s related to whom, and can navigate many of their petty squabbles before lunch.
But Wimberley … ” I turned back to the painting, eyeing it with a feeling akin to longing, “there’s so much work to be done, so many lives to touch, and people to help.
It would be a real joy to accomplish something worthwhile there. ”
Julian chuckled, “You make it sound like a job.”
“Oh, but it is! It’s a duty that should be undertaken with the utmost of care.”
He stared at me with his lips slightly parted. “And you think of your duty above all? Above love?”
It was my turn to chuckle. “Shouldn’t they go hand-in-hand? A love for your kingdom is still love. It’d be an honor to have a partner that felt the same way.”
“It would indeed … ” Julian murmured.
“And I’ve heard the Prince does admirable work. He worked—with his own hands—to build an addition to the orphanage.”
Julian snorted. “I don’t think you’d call doling out orders and supplies working—”
I rolled my eyes at his response. “He was there, wasn’t he? Some Princes wouldn’t have even bothered showing up.”
“If the prince had been in Wimberley when the dragon attacked there wouldn’t have been that much damage to begin with,” Julian muttered.
A laugh bubbled out of my chest as I shook my head. “There might have been less damage, sure,” I shrugged, “but he’s still just a man.”
“We should begin with the required questions.”
“I suppose,” I muttered, thinking about what Prince August might be doing at this very moment.
Everything I had heard about him and what I truly believed to be true, would make the sleepless nights worth it. To love such a great and honorable man would be a privilege.
Julian’s had flexed against my lower back and I sucked in a breath. But there was something electrifying about his hand on me. I clenched my teeth. I should not be having these thoughts.
“Did you sleep well?” Julian asked, breaking through my inappropriate line of thinking. “Yes,” I replied.
He halted our steps and looked over at me. “But you just said—”
“I know what I told you, as my friend. But princesses don’t whine. I don’t want to seem ungrateful for the hospitality of Queen Theodora and King Odo. ”
Julian heaved a sigh. “That’s akin to lying.” He mocked my comment from the other day and I giggled.
“I didn’t know we were teasing friends.”
“I tease all my friends,” Julian responded, with a rueful smile.
“All of them?”
He smiled, his eyes molten when they met mine. “Only the ones I like.” His words had my heart pounding in my ears as my attention slid from his eyes to his lips. “How many hours would you say you slept?”
I blushed feeling the warmth spread across my cheeks. “Are all the required questions related to sleeping?”
Julian nodded. “Today—yes.”
I huffed a sigh and adjusted my posture. “8 hours.”
“And did you require any aid to sleep?”
“Tea,” I replied flatly.
“That’ll be all, Colette. I’ll see you this afternoon for the trial.”
“Can we speak as friends again?” I asked, as he led me to the doorway
“Of course,” Julian caught my elbow as I swayed.
The left side of his scarred face looked tender, the reddened edges of the scar puckered, and in need of soothing. My fingertips itched to brush across them and bring him comfort.
“Since all of the questions were about my sleeping … I hope you slept well,” I said, my lips tugging up at the corners. “And I look forward to seeing you at the trials.”
Julian dipped his chin, his lips quirking into an uneven smile. “And you as well, Princess.”