Chapter 3 #2
Her jaw dropped in astonishment, though she mentally granted him a point for that round.
“Rude. Just because I’m not fawning over you like the rest of the ladies seem to do nowadays does not mean that I have no manners.
In fact, one could argue that I have better manners because I’m not lying to you. ”
“They’re not lying.” He dropped his hand and stubbornly crossed his arms.
“They treat you as if you hung the stars in the sky, Dimi. They’re lying at least a little bit.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’ve known you since before either of us could walk. I’m pretty sure the stars were there before you were,” she drawled.
His shoulders drooped and he exhaled a long sigh. “I meant about them not being sincere.”
Odessa was suddenly filled with compassion for her childhood friend. “I may be sequestered with the animals, but I’m not blind. They’re completely different people when you’re not around to impress.”
He was quiet for a long moment, then, in a rush, the words spilled out. “Mother wants me to get married.”
She lifted a brow. “I don’t know why this surprises you. She’s been talking about it for the last three or four years.”
“It’s not the idea that’s new, it’s the fact that she wants me to find a suitable candidate by the end of the summer.”
Odessa blinked. “Why the rush?”
“It’s the age-old story: my continued bachelorhood is concerning to the people, who want to be assured that the line of succession is secure.
” Dmitri blew out a long breath. “Though why that should bother them, I’m not sure.
They can always just choose a new king. The crown will fit anyone with a round head. ”
“I’m pretty certain it’s not the fit of the crown that’s the concern, but rather the economic, societal, and political upheaval that would result as a loss of the current power structure. What?” she added defensively as Dmitri’s jaw dropped in speechless amazement.
“I just didn’t realize you were suddenly an expert on politics.”
“I’m hardly an expert. I just pay attention to things—like the fact that it shouldn’t be too hard of a challenge to find a wife, because you have women figuratively throwing themselves at you.”
He deflated even more. “I don’t want them to marry me just because I’m a prince. I know it sounds silly, Dessa, but…I wanted something like my parents had.”
“Weren’t they an arranged marriage?”
“Yes.” He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “But it was arranged because they were in love, and their parents recognized the advantages of such an alliance. I had always hoped for the same, though I realize now it was probably foolish.”
He looked so sad and dejected that Odessa couldn’t help but soften. Katrin stepped forward, bumping her forehead into his shoulder. A soft smile spread across his face as he ran his hand down her silver neck.
Odessa watched them for a moment, a hopeless ache building in her chest. “Your mother isn’t signing any treaties yet, Dimi. It sounds like she just wants you to start seriously looking. After all, she and your father had to meet somewhere, didn’t they?”
Dmitri stilled, his face going slack for a moment.
She could practically see the wheels turning in his head.
Finally, he gave his head a shake and grinned.
“You’re a genius!” He gave Katrin one last pat and stepped closer to Odessa, throwing an arm over her shoulder and pulling her into a one-sided hug.
He pressed a swift kiss to the top of her head before stepping quickly away.
He walked backwards down the path as he spoke, “I need to speak with Mother. Can I borrow the boat?”
She blinked, attempting to regain her equilibrium at his sudden swing in emotions. “Absolutely not. You’re a hazard on the water, and I’m not going to fish you out of the lake again. Go around like the rest of us do. If you’re in a hurry, run; you have two perfectly healthy legs.”
He sighed dramatically but was already nearly out of earshot. “Fine. But one of these days, I’m going to get back out there again.”
“Lucky for me, it’s night.”
He made a face at her, then lifted his hand and took off at a steady jog.
Odessa shook her head at his retreating form, breathing out a fond, amused chuckle.
Katrin joined her, her attention glued to the prince in a doe-eyed stare.
Odessa’s amusement faded, giving way to determination.
She looked at the deer, whispering. “I’m going to break this curse, Katrin. I won’t let him marry anyone else.”
Katrin swung her head around and gave her a look of gentle reproof.
Odessa sighed. “I know I can’t actually keep that from happening. But he wants to be loved for who he is! Do you know how hard it is to see that and know that what he’s looking for is right in front of his nose, if only he knew the truth?”
The doe stepped into her space, arching her graceful neck over Odessa’s shoulder in the closest thing to a hug she could manage.
Odessa returned the gesture, throwing her arms around Katrin’s neck.
After a moment, she stepped back and set her shoulders.
“Right. Curse-breaking will have to wait for at least an hour or two. I have cages to clean and hungry mouths to feed.”
She moved purposefully down the graveled walk to the next enclosure and had just fished out her keys when a frightened scream broke the stillness of the night air, followed by a heavy splash.
Odessa looked at Katrin with wide eyes. “Dmitri.”
She dropped her keys into her pocket and sprinted toward the lake.