Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
The day after Elowen took him to the floating gardens was a rest day for the court.
A few commoner’s events were still being held, but most noble-born competitors were taking the day to recover their strength after the first round of the weapons combat.
Theo decided not to visit the training yard this time.
Perhaps he’d be wise to prepare for the next round, but he didn’t have the heart for it.
His thoughts were on Elowen, and they were too murky for him to understand.
His mind kept dwelling on her confiding manner when she’d trusted him not to betray her secrets.
It had been a good feeling. But then his memory would fly to the sensation of her touch when she’d grabbed his arm, and he found himself shying away in thought just as he had in reality.
It was a painful memory, exposing his weakness.
The rush of longing that had gone over him had shocked him.
A bare touch of her hand, and he’d wanted to pull her into his arms and compel those expressive eyes to look up into his face again.
He’d lived by rigid control for so many years.
What was it about Elowen that threatened to fracture it every time he let himself soften even a little?
Most unsettling of all, under his disappointment in himself were other sensations. A part of him didn’t care that he’d showed weakness, instead reveling in the memory of her touch. That was the selfish part, he knew, and it could never be the guiding voice for a prince bound by duty to his kingdom.
There was no denying that his selfish emotions, however tightly bound, were growing increasingly eager for the marriage he’d committed to.
And he was fortunate, because marrying Elowen would serve his kingdom.
But losing control of himself to emotion, and therefore allowing himself to be drawn into petty jealousies and childish competitions, wouldn’t serve Siqual.
It would dishonor it in front of their Torrenese allies.
Pulling away instead of indulging his desires at the floating gardens had been the responsible course. So why did he still feel so conflicted?
Elowen’s behavior since that moment hadn’t done anything to lift his spirits.
He’d seen how closely she watched his fights in the afternoon.
In fact, he wished he could deny how much he’d been motivated to win every match by the desire to impress her.
More evidence of him letting his emotions distract him, and pointless as well.
She hadn’t shown any sign of being impressed.
In fact, not only had she failed to approach him after the match, she’d barely spoken to him at dinner beyond what politeness required.
It seemed he’d been the only one to feel a moment of connection at the floating gardens.
Theo had no delusions about himself. He’d known he was considered stiff long before Lord Bertrand had so snidely said it in front of him.
He’d never expected to have much success in wooing a woman.
He wasn’t Xavier, he reflected dryly, with women falling all over him every time he smiled.
But he had an arranged marriage, and the woman in question was already fully committed to him, by her own words as well as their kingdoms’ agreement.
How was he still failing so dismally? He’d tried to show her by his actions that he was dependable and committed, and that he would always behave with honor.
He supposed she was disappointed that he wasn’t like any of the daydreams Lord Bertrand had described.
The thought did nothing to improve his mood, and his strides were jerky and unsettled as he made his way to breakfast.
Just inside the door to the dining hall, he was greeted by King Ronan, who was deep in conversation with the duke. The king’s greeting suggested he would have preferred Theo to keep moving, but instead Theo joined the pair.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” he greeted the duke, inclining his head politely. “Is there any update on the issue with the magic?”
The duke bowed, his tone respectful but his words careful as he looked to the king for guidance.
“Good morning, Your Highness, and thank you for your interest. Rest assured that all possible resources have been put into the investigation.”
“Yes, your efforts have been commendable,” King Ronan said. He inclined his head to Theo. “His Grace has been thorough and strategic, as he is known for. In fact, many innovations in the capital—especially those involving magic craft—are thanks to his generosity with his time and resources.”
“I’ve admired some of those innovations myself,” Theo commented. “I hope in time perhaps you’ll be so gracious as to share your insights with Siqual as well.”
The duke’s expression was a little more forced as he bowed again.
Theo suspected he was eager to return to his task.
Theo shifted slightly back, allowing the men to continue the conversation he’d interrupted.
Privately, he wrestled with the question of whether to report what he’d felt in the maze the day before.
He was hesitant because Elowen’s words at the floating garden told him that, like his own parents, King Ronan would be unlikely to commend him for the focus he’d given to his magical sense.
He was even afraid the king would think he’d been trying to use it to cheat in the maze event.
Discomfort trickled through him as he remembered what Elowen had told him about her clandestine magical studies.
She had been too generous in assuming his disapproval had related to the magic.
In reality it had a much pettier cause, and he hadn’t wanted her to know the flicker of jealousy he’d felt at the thought of her shared secret with the servant Simeon.
He hadn’t criticized that aspect, knowing that doing so would reveal his childish jealousy.
And the knowledge that Elowen’s friend had been not only part of these lessons but their orchestrator certainly softened the information.
Theo’s attention returned to the pair in front of him, dismayed to realize he’d once again let his emotions distract him. The duke was speaking of his plans to leave after breakfast and travel northwest of the capital.
“I beg your pardon for the interruption, but what’s to the northwest?” Theo asked, determined not to be kept out of the matter.
The king’s eyes flicked to him. “A forested region,” he said. “His Grace is following a trail, and he intends to investigate reports of a suspicious landslide.”
“A landslide?” Theo repeated, thoughtfully. “I would be grateful to be included in the expedition, Your Grace. I have no commitments at the tournament today.”
The duke hesitated. “You’re very generous, Your Highness, but I wouldn’t wish to pull you from the safety of the castle.”
“I believe our roads are as safe as any on the Peninsula,” the king said mildly. “If Prince Theodore wishes to accompany you, I don’t object.”
The duke bowed, accepting the polite command without further argument. “We will prepare to leave after breakfast,” he told Theo.
“Leave for where?”
Elowen’s voice made them all turn, to see the queen and princess entering the room behind them.
“Prince Theodore is going to accompany the duke on an investigative trip northwest of the capital today,” King Ronan informed his daughter.
Elowen’s gaze was shrewd as it passed between her father and Theo. “I’d like to go as well.”
“Absolutely not,” the queen interjected quickly.
“Why not?” asked Elowen.
“The tournament, for one reason.” The queen’s brow was creased in a warning.
Elowen blinked. “But ten minutes ago, I asked if I needed to go to the commoners’ competition today, and you said that I don’t have to.”
Queen Lisbeth didn’t look impressed to have this information shared. “I said so in the belief that you needed rest after the three days of the tournament so far.”
“Oh, I don’t need rest,” Elowen said cheerfully. “A good gallop on Ochre will be more restful for my spirits than lying on a settee somewhere.”
“It’s an excellent idea, Elowen,” said the king. “A chance for you and Prince Theodore to come to better understanding of one another.”
There was something very specific in the look he gave his daughter, but Theo couldn’t read it. Judging by the hint of defiance that crossed Elowen’s immaculate features, she could.
“Surely it’s not wise,” the queen protested. “Have you forgotten what happened last time Elowen joined such a venture?”
“I have not,” the king assented. “But this is different, Lisbeth. The landslide has already happened, this is an investigation after the fact. Not to mention, on this occasion it’s not as far from the capital, and naturally she will take a full complement of guards.”
His words were so decisive, the queen had no choice but to be satisfied.
Theo didn’t object to Elowen’s inclusion, but he did wonder what the king hoped would be achieved by his orchestrations.
Was Elowen supposed to distract him from paying close attention to the investigation?
That thought seemed unfair to King Ronan.
“If a party is being formed, perhaps my own children would wish to join,” the duke said.
“I believe, Your Grace, that Lord Bertrand is occupied for the day in training for tomorrow’s competition,” Elowen cut in smoothly. “But I would be delighted to ask Sophia if she’d like to join us.”
Theo noted that neither the duke nor the king seemed pleased with this answer, although neither said so.
For his part, he wasn’t sure whether to be glad that Elowen seemed to be trying to exclude Lord Bertrand or concerned that she knew his training schedule.
Picturing the sea of sweaty, mostly shirtless men to be found at the training yard each day, he hoped that Elowen hadn’t been watching on.