Chapter 14 The Library #2
Pride burned throughout Luci. That was quintessentially Brielle. Her kindness and gentle spirit could undo even the foulest of moods. She would make an incredible queen, and Meridea would be better for it.
“You could not have picked a better bride, but don’t ask too much of her. She will give until she has nothing left. It’s not in her nature to say no.” Luci said, and it was almost a plea.
Closing the book, Prince Ira met her gaze, and she knew he understood. It was in the solemn tightness in his jaw and the set of his chin.
“I know,” he said.
There was a heaviness to the words, as if they were a burden.
Setting down her fork, Luci steeled herself.
“Brielle is not a burden. She is better than all of us combined.”
Luci didn’t suppose she would be particularly good at the art of war, but for Brielle, she would pick up the sword every time.
Eyes widening, Prince Ira shook his head, light brown hair mussing.
“Of course not. Did you think that’s what I meant? Brielle is incredible. I only worry for her as you do. I worry she won’t say when it’s too much, but more than that, I worry she deserves better than this,” he said.
The hackles on Luci’s back settled, and the fire dimmed. He understood. Taking a steadying breath and making a mental note not to murder the crown prince, Luci took another bite, letting herself process the next words because she didn’t know much, but she knew they were important.
“She would say she deserves what she chooses for herself and that she chose this. Chose you,” the bitterness on her tongue was probably a rough cut of chicken.
“But more than that, it’s our job to protect her from herself because she will never say when it’s too much.
We have to protect her even when she doesn’t want it. ”
Aside from Mrs. Blakesley, Luci never really had an ally in her fight to ensure Brielle’s wellness.
It was strangely comforting to know there was someone else who cared about her as much as Luci did.
It just didn’t explain why there was a weight to the heart that beat in her chest. Maybe it was having to share Brielle.
“I promise I will protect her. It’s the least I can do, but more than that, it’s my honor to do so,” he said.
A knight vowing to his king on bended knee. Like Lancelot to King Arthur. Except that ended in betrayal.
“I’ll hold you to it,” she said, wishing there was water to coat her dry mouth.
The corner of his mouth pulled. “I’m sure you will.”
Silence stretched, and Luci finished the last of her plate, making sure to soak up every last drip of sauce onto the last bite of chicken. It filled her stomach to the point of bursting, but she couldn’t bring herself to regret it. Every inch was worth the accompanying discomfort.
A few moments passed, and Luci decided it was a good idea to scoot Calcifer closer to the edge of the desk and lay her head on his mountainous fur.
The silky soft strands of his orange fur were the perfect pillow.
After a moment of confusion where he stretched out his paws with a long yawn, he curled back in and began his rumbling purr.
“Good, Beastie,” she yawned.
“For the second time in one day, I find myself incredibly envious,” he said.
Luci chuckled.
“I’m sure Noah would make you another tonic if you wanted to experience what it is to lie on a rumbling cloud,” she said.
“Why do you so easily call him by his name, but refuse to call me by mine?” he asked.
Was that—? Pressure built in Luci’s chest at the way the words were quiet, but strong. Sincere.
Lifting her head, she saw that Prince Ira was standing in front of the desk, arms folded over his chest. For a crown prince, he was often more relaxed than she would have expected.
Like, he didn’t quite take the role seriously.
Light. That was the word that came into her mind when she thought about him. Easy. Gentle.
Crisp white sleeves rolled up to his forearm, while his blue and gold vest hugged his lean form. Luci never gave much thought to what made a man attractive, but something about the way his forearms folded over his chest—
“Are you even listening to me?” he asked.
Was she?
“Yes?” she asked. “You wanted to know why I still call you by your title.”
His chuckle was deep as he ran his hand through his hair and leaned against a nearby bookshelf.
“Yes, but I was saying that you are quick to insult me, so the formality of my title seems unnecessary,” he said.
“I don’t insult you,” Luci said, furrowing her brow before recovering.
“Besides, you are the crown prince; it wouldn’t be appropriate to refer to you as anything else.
Noah is— did you know he grew up in Foxglove?
He worked his way up to the Citadel on merely his natural talent.
So really, he’s more of a peer, so referring to him by name is appropriate. ”
One eyebrow arched towards the sky as if this were all quite amusing, but the muscle that feathered in his jaw gave away his irritation. Why was this important to him?
“You refer to Max by name,” he challenged.
“Well, he’s very bossy, and he’s not the crown prince,” Luci said.
“So because I’m first in line, you have to use my title?” he said.
“Yes!” Luci blew out an irritated breath.
It was not a difficult concept.
The prince stalked forward and braced his arms over the desk, wearing a small smirk that made her want to give him bitter herbs.
“And if I command it?” he asked.
Refusing to be intimidated, Luci leaned forward, arching her brows.
“Then I would call that an abuse of power,” she said.
He threw back his head and groaned.
“You are exhausting,” he countered. “It’s fine, though, because I have a secret weapon.”
“Oh?” Luci asked, scooping Calcifer up.
As far as weapons went, the purring cat in her arms was a formidable foe when it came to crown princes.
His laugh was rich and deep like hot cocoa on a winter night, curled up in blankets, watching the snow blanket the ground.
“I may have made a grave error when I invited you into my home. I’m certain you will show no mercy when you decide to kill me,” he laughed, scratching his face that was beginning to gain a shadow.
Luci stood, making for the door with her spoils.
“You shouldn’t joke about murdering the crown prince,” she chastised. “You are going to get me beheaded.”
Prince Ira cocked his head to the side. “Do you think we still behead people?”
Yes. In fact, she considered the possibility several times in the last few days.
“I’m going to bed,” she announced, holding Calcifer to her chest and pulling at the handle of the door.
Remarkably, her escape plan worked, and she made it about five steps with her victory before she realized she didn’t have the slightest clue where she was going. What she was not going to do, though, was ask—
“Need some help?”
She could practically hear his smirk.
Taking a long, steadying breath as she closed her eyes for a moment, she turned and tilted her head.
“Why? Do you want to hold my cat?” she asked sweetly.
There was that laugh that, beneath lantern light in a golden hall, felt more like warm tea with honey. Nope. Absolutely not.
“You are vicious, but also lost. Don’t worry, as the crown prince, I am drowning in charm and chivalry, so I will escort you.” he bowed low with his hand over his heart for emphasis.
Luci groaned. “I think I’ll just sleep in the library.”
He frowned. “Alas, my chivalry will not allow it.”
Apparently, that was the end of it because he began walking, gesturing for her to follow.
Maybe she could throw Calcifer at him, though she might need to ask why Prince Ira fed him, because the beast was sound asleep, once more rumbling like a carriage over gravel. At least one of them was peaceful.
They walked past the art of fairytales, and for a second, Luci remembered what it felt like the night of the ball to be someone different. To wear a pretty dress and a mask and pretend.
There were no ball gowns or running away from nobility tonight. Now all she had was a cat and a secret.
Up rounding stairs and through lantern-lit halls, Prince Ira stopped in front of a white and gold door that was an echo of every other in the castle.
“Here you are.” It was punctuated by a sharp sneeze.
He sniffed and scratched at his eye.
“I'd better go in before Calcifer does you in,” she said, whispering.
His smile fell, and his eyes searched hers, looking for something. A heaviness was settling in the air that didn’t make the slightest bit of sense. It made her mind hazy, like a dense fog was littered over where thoughts should be.
“You have green eyes.” He whispered. “They remind me of spring.”
“They change sometimes. Sometimes they are more of an off blue depending on what I’m wearing,” she said.
What an odd thing to say. Cinnamon wafted in the air around them, coloring everything it touched with warmth and safety.
The way his hair dipped to the right over his forehead made Luci want to reach out and brush it to the side. Her fingers itched, and she thought maybe it wasn’t such a terrible idea given the way he was leaning into her.
Just as she was about to give in to the compulsion, he stepped back and sneezed loud enough into his elbow that Calcifer jolted from his slumber and clawed up her chest in an effort to escape.
Luci grappled with him as he let out a low meow that was as much a protest as anything and squeezed him tight against her.
“I better-” she said, the fog clearing amidst Calcifer’s fuss.
Prince Ira blinked several times before shaking his head and leaning forward to open the door. Darkness poured in, and Luci remembered that Brielle was obviously sleeping and they were probably being too loud.
“Good night,” she said, ducking in.
“Good night,” he answered as she shut the door with her back to it.
The smell of cinnamon was gone, but the way her stomach rolled and dipped was far worse than any indigestion she’d experienced. More like something was fluttering inside, trying to escape. It was unsettling.
Releasing Calcifer, Luci leaned against the door and placed her hand to her chest, feeling the rapid beat of her heart. It was a long day in a strange place, and she was tired. That was all.
That was all.
Those were the words she repeated in her mind as she crawled into bed next to Brielle and let sleep sweep her away on its sweet current.