after the bone like a dog. I heard the cries and screams from Yasmin and a few of the ladies as the goblin grabbed the bone and took off running, scrambling up on top of my carriage to perch there as he sucked the marrow out of the bone.
“I told you she’s creepy,” Yasmin said to one of her ladies. I stood at the top step, watching them point to my goblin. “I mean, who in the world has one of those as a pet?”
Gobbersnot made me proud when he tossed the bone directly at Yasmin’s head, causing her to scream and run away.
“Good goblin,” I cooed as he swung back into the carriage. He curled up in my lap and proceeded to fall asleep.
A candle mark later, I was disturbed by a heavy knock.
“Yes,” I said without opening the door, my voice cold.
“I’m here to apologize on behalf of my heavy-handed guard,” Xander whispered through the door.
I sat up and leaned near the window, keeping my voice low as to not wake Pru. “Are you going to replace my things?” I asked.
He sighed. “I will personally see to it that your things are replaced.”
“Also, I want you to stay away from my servant.”
“Wait a minute, I demand—” he started.
My eyes narrowed as I imagined boring a hole through the door into his skull. “I would rethink your answer. Otherwise, you might find the next time you kiss someone, you’ll end up a frog.”
“Are you threatening me?” he asked incredulously.
“No,” I said innocently. “I’m just discussing possible outcomes made from your scandalous life choices. You said you would never love me, and I can come to the agreement that it will be mutual, but I will demand you be faithful until our marriage is annulled. Or you may end up a rodent, frog, or some other creature.”
“Fine,” he growled.
“Fine.”
I could imagine us glaring at each other before his footsteps faded away, and I sat back.
Prudence had sat up, her hands covering her mouth in awe. “I have never before heard someone speak to the prince in such a way.”
“Well, get used to it, because I don’t plan on stopping.”
A heaviness came over my heart, and I leaned back against the bench and sighed.
Oh, Mother, what would you have me do? You’ve made the prince miserable, but in doing so, I’m also miserable.
Chapter Fourteen
We spent most of the following day cleaning up the mess from Tipper and waiting to hear from the trackers. Earlsgaarde had left in the middle of the night, as had Gaven and Xander. It was only the servants left, and of course Yasmin and her ladies. Listening to their ugly barbs toward me was enough to drive me batty.
Luckily, not all of my clothes were damaged. I did have the dress I was wearing, a red dress, burgundy cloak and the prince’s pin. Fearing I may lose it, I pinned it to the front of the cloak and folded it up, placing it in a smaller trunk Prudence found for me.
By midday, Xander had returned, and he rode straight to me across the camp. I was sweating from working on cleaning up and was dreading my decision to wear all black in the sun.
Xander looked uncomfortable. “I came to tell you that our trackers have lost the beast’s trail in the mountains, so we’ll be taking the wagons and carriages the long way around and staying the night in Celia while they continue their search and will probably resume tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, “for telling me in person instead of sending someone.”
“Couldn’t.” He shrugged. “After last night’s tantrum, there wasn’t a single page who was willing to deliver a message to you.” I could tell from the tick in his jaw and how hard he was pressing his lips together that he was trying not to laugh at me.
“Tantrum?” I scoffed.
His lip turned up at me, and then the full smile burst forth. “Yes, I would call that a tantrum if I ever saw one. It’s very female of you.” Those eyebrows rose so high that I was about to chuck a piece of the trunk at him when Yasmin came sauntering over and began to complain loudly of the heat and having to stay outside.
“I’ve been so bored waiting for you,” she whined.
Xander looked over at my mostly cleaned-up campsite and then turned to her. “I’m sure you could have found some way to help or stay busy.”