just one of them.”
“Why have you not been able to find it?”
Xander’s jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. “Do you think I’m not trying hard enough? Do you think I want my people to be murdered in the night? I know there are rumors about me, that I’m cruel, cold, and as unfeeling as the beast itself, but I promise I protect my people.”
I was unprepared for his anger that was now directed at me. “That was not my meaning at all.”
I was now inches away from him. My breathing was ragged from the cold, and I shivered. He cursed under his breath before reaching up and pulling a blanket from his saddlebag, wrapping it around my shoulders. He rubbed his palms up and down my arms to warm me, but I refused to meet his gaze.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized. “The truth is I haven’t been sleeping well the last few nights, for whenever I sleep, my people are murdered by a creature.”
“Sounds like a rogue wolf,” I said, thinking back to our town and how, during lean hunting season, the predators would try their hand at larger animals.
“And that’s what I thought too.” Xander sighed. “But this is something else. Something I’ve never come across before. It’s smart, knows how to hide its tracks, and lose the hounds by going into the river. I fear we will only find it after more of my people are killed.”
My mouth went dry and I looked away into the woods, hoping he didn’t see the fear on my face.
Xander grabbed my chin and lifted it up so my lips were inches from his. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you,” he promised. “Just stay inside the palace where it’s safe. And don’t go past the wards. I can’t guarantee your safety if you pass the wards.”
My eyes narrowed and I pulled away from his grasp. Who did he think he was to try and protect me? I didn’t need protection. If anything, he needed protection from me.
We walked in silence back to the palace. When he led Nova to the stables, I removed the blanket and handed it back to him.
We stood there in the stables awkwardly. I didn’t want to leave but knew I should; the longer I stayed with him, the easier it was to wish he would kiss me again. I reminded myself that the only reason he kissed me the first night was because he was inebriated. He wouldn’t dare again—or would he?
“How’s my wife?” he asked warily.
It was the wrong thing to say to me, because that innocent question set me off. “Maybe you should ask her yourself,” I snapped. “Instead of asking me, her servant. But no, instead you avoid her and keep her locked in her room like some prisoner in a fairy tale.”
Xander took a step back in surprise. “I-I never thought—” he stuttered.
I continued to approach him, wagging my finger. “Of course you didn’t. I couldn’t care less if you want to avoid her, but you should at least have the common courtesy to treat her as a human being. Let her out of the room, because right now she is the princess in a locked tower, and you, Prince, are nothing more than a dragon—no, an evil ogre.”
I had backed Xander right into the stable wall, and he slipped before catching himself.
“And ogres don’t live long in fairy tales,” I warned.
Xander said nothing, just blinked at me in surprise as if I had grown horns. I was so angry at my feelings for him; even now, I wanted to both kiss him and slap him.
I regained my composure and calmed myself. “I will take my leave now and expect you to keep me up to date on Herez’s health.” Spinning, I walked out of the stable quickly, too scared to look back. Once I turned the corner, I covered my mouth, surprised that I had just reamed out the prince. I briefly wondered what repercussions would rain down on me for it. Who would bear the brunt of my harsh words—Rose, the servant, or Rosalie, his wife?
Chapter Nine
I made it back to my bed and collapsed. Seconds later, I heard the sound of my wardrobe opening and shutting as Gobbersnot snuck back in. My head was pounding, and I pulled the pillow over my eyes to try and soothe the oncoming migraine from using so much energy to recharge the wards.
Lorn was right. I constantly felt depleted and exhausted living