Chapter 10 #3
“I don’t know,” Xavier acknowledged. “The only vaguely credible motive I’ve come up with is that they’re trying to weaken the kingdom by removing its magic users gradually, but it’s a pretty poor plan if so.
Most of the magical ability is concentrated in the capital, well protected and not likely to be vulnerable. ”
Alina had nothing to add, and for a minute there was silence between them. It was broken by Charles, on her other side.
“His Highness is right that most of those skilled with magic craft live in the capital,” he said to Alina, his voice kind as it always was. “Have you ever considered moving there? Surely there would be many opportunities for you there with your level of aptitude.”
“Maybe there would be,” Alina acknowledged. “But I don’t want to live in the capital.”
She’d hoped the matter would drop, but she hadn’t counted on Zoe, who was clearing the table at that moment. The serving girl had been making eyes at Xavier, but the prince was proving unusually obtuse and didn’t appear to have noticed.
“Alina has lived in the capital,” Zoe told Charles. “Isn’t that right, Alina? You lived there with your parents before they died? I imagine the place is littered with painful memories.”
Alina made a non-committal noise as she ran a finger along the tabletop, not pleased with the direction of the conversation. She would have preferred Zoe not to share that information widely. Perhaps Xavier saw her tension, because he chose that moment to lighten the mood.
Leaning close—too close for decorum—he murmured into her ear.
“Not all the memories are painful, though, are they? I remember some being very pleasant.”
Alina bit her lip, her face heating as it seemed so ready to do lately.
But she was hiding a smile, too. Something smug within her was experiencing a flash of triumph as Zoe gave up trying to catch the prince’s attention and turned away.
Xavier was right. There were some very pleasant memories attached to the city of Sindon.
Most of them involving the man sitting beside her. Or rather, the boy he’d been.
She gave Xavier no response, partly because when she looked up, she found Captain Mitchell’s eyes on her. It was a searching look, and it made her feel the prickle of discomfort all over her skin. She looked away quickly.
“I think I’d better go home,” she said. “I’m exhausted from the day’s ride, and we’re starting early again, aren’t we?”
“I’ll walk you home,” Xavier said.
She started to assure him it was unnecessary, but the captain beat her to it.
“You should sleep, Your Highness. A guard can see Miss Alina safely home.”
Xavier sighed, leaning back. “Yes, all right.” He fixed Alina with a stern look. “But don’t think you can frolic off at will. Clearly I need to give you less freedom since you can’t be trusted with it.”
Alina gave no reply beyond the unimpressed look she fixed him with as she gathered her things to leave.
“You can glare at me all you like, I’m immune to disapproval,” Xavier informed her comfortably. “I’m going to personally collect you in the morning for our departure to the refinement site.”
“You can’t come to my house,” she said, exasperated. “That would be ridiculous.”
“Why can’t I?” Xavier asked. “Are you so reluctant for me to see where you live?”
Alina hesitated, a little ashamed of her thoughts.
Lilah’s golden loveliness flashed through her mind, and she had to admit to herself that she was reluctant to expose the sweet teenager to Xavier’s gallantry.
She was fair enough to acknowledge that he’d surprised her by how little he flirted when on duty.
But his behavior toward her proved that when he wasn’t engaged in official business, he was as outrageous as ever.
And he wouldn’t be in investigation mode when collecting her for travel.
She didn’t like the idea of unleashing him on Lilah.
Xavier took the opportunity of her silence to slide out of the booth as well, scooping Zuzu off the table and settling her onto his shoulder.
She was growing large enough that the position couldn’t be comfortable for either of them.
The guard who’d been following Alina all day appeared as she started to inch toward the door.
“Yes, all right, you’re very diligent,” Xavier said, eyeing the man with faint irritation. “No need to bundle her out the door before she’s caught her breath.”
It was a bizarrely unreasonable criticism, but Alina didn’t tell the prince so, because his attention was instead claimed by Zoe, sashaying past with a tray balanced expertly on her shoulder.
“Leaving already, Your Highness?” she asked with a coquettish smile. “I’m afraid your time in Alton has made the company here seem dull in comparison.”
“Impossible,” Xavier said, in his habitual warm tone. “How could a group this lively be dull?” His gaze encompassed the cheerful bustle of the room. Friendly as his smile was, Alina wasn’t surprised that Zoe looked disappointed as she continued past them.
“She’s going to be sad all evening after that treatment,” Alina told Xavier sternly. “She’s used to much more targeted attention from unattached young men.”
Xavier chuckled. “I’m not surprised. She’s an engaging little thing, and very pretty, too.”
“She is exactly your rumored style, isn’t she?” Alina said, a touch wryly.
“What’s wrong, Alina?” Xavier leaned close again. “Are you jealous?”
Alina’s laugh was more brittle than usual. “I’m not,” she informed him. “And the fact that you think I’d be jealous of a shallow, dishonorable tryst shows how little you ever knew me.”
She hadn’t intended anything serious by the words, but Xavier’s expression told her they’d been a mistake. When she said the word dishonorable, a look flickered across his face that was very much at odds with the mask of nonchalance he usually wore.
Realizing belatedly that the accusation would take his mind back to their conversation the night before, Alina hurried to excuse herself. This time Xavier didn’t protest as the guard helpfully accompanied her from the tavern.