He thought back to the night when Leo had said that he had no intention of proposing. He’d assured Felix that he’d turned down enough potential matches by now that he was an expert at it, and it was a comfort that Felix had clung to, because apparently when it came to the king he was a romantic fool.
But the reality of the thing was, Leocouldn’tkeep avoiding marriage. And if Sophia was as beautiful as Davin said, and Evergreen was as important as everyone else said, Leo might notwantto get out of proposing. He could easily change his mind, and Felix honestly wouldn’t blame him. The future of Lilleforth was more important than any casual fling. Felix knew that.
It didn’t make it hurt any less.
Felix blinked back the wetness blurring his vision, exhaled noisily, and told himself he was being ridiculous. He was lucky he’d gotten to warm Leo’s bed at all, let alone for an entiremonth, and if Leodiddecide to wed, then mooning over him wouldn’t do a lick of good. No, Felix was going to have to be an adult about this and pretend it didn’t affect him at all.
He ran a forearm over his eyes to get rid of the dampness there, and when he lowered his hand, he was just in time to see a small figure running towards the stable yard. As they came closer, Felix recognised Pip, one of the kitchen boys, short legs flying like he was being chased. When he saw Felix, the boy waved an arm, lips moving even though he was still out of earshot.
Felix waved back and Pip headed straight for him, coming to a halt. Pip’s chest heaved like a bellows as he gasped in air, and Felix waited till he’d caught his breath before asking, “What is it, Pip?”
“Message…from…His Majesty, sir,” Pip gasped out.
“What’s the message?” Felix asked, his heart beating inexplicably faster.
“He said…said he wants to ride. With the princess. An’ he wants you to come with him as his guard. Said be ready in an hour.” Pip blew out a long breath, obviously relieved at having delivered his message successfully and unaware of the turmoil now taking up residence in Felix’s chest.
Leo wanted toride?With theprincess?
That didn’t seem like the behavior of someone keeping a prospective spouse at bay. Unless she was terrible around horses, in which case it might be Leo’s way of discouraging her affections. Although, having seen the picture Leo presented on horseback, Felix couldn’t imagine it doing much to dissuade her.
Not my concern,Felix reminded himself, and turned his attention back to Pip. “Tell His Majesty I’ll be ready and waiting.”
* * *
Davin hadn’t been lying. Princess Sophia wasbreathtaking.
Her hair was a magnificent shade of copper that the afternoon light transformed into a glorious riot of reds and golds, gleaming under the sun’s rays. She had delicate features and milky white skin, and she was indeed tiny, but her gaze was sharp and there was nothing weak or milquetoast about her—rather she seemed like the sort of woman who would run a man through with a pike without blinking, if the occasion called for it.
Felix felt he could have liked her under different circumstances.
As it was, though, he couldn’t quite shake the seed of jealousy that sprouted in his gut, and it wasn’t helped by the fact that Leo had barely acknowledged him. He didn’t even look Felix in the eye when he informed him that he and Sophia—because they were already close enough that titles didn’t apply,apparently—wished to have a private conversation, and he’d appreciate it if Felix and the guardsman appointed to the princess could maintain enough distance to ensure their privacy. Felix, for his part, had bowed his head and said, “As you wish, Your Majesty.” He was fairly certain he’d managed to sound sincere.
He wasn’t sure if it made things better or worse when the guardsman in question turned out to be his father, but it made sense, he supposed. Who better than the captain of the guard to watch over an honoured guest?
Leo and Sophia rode out ahead, and Felix noted that Sophia gave the appearance of an experienced rider, sitting comfortably in the saddle. More than that, she’d taken the time to whisper soft words to her horse, a pale grey filly, and stroke her nose before mounting, and the affection between them was obvious.
They set a sedate pace, meandering across the lush green fields, and Felix, with his father riding alongside, maintained a suitable distance—far enough back that he couldn’t quite make out what they were saying but close enough to act should there be a need. Felix felt the tension in his shoulders ease just from being on horseback and out in the open under the warmth of the afternoon sun. He let out a soft sigh.
At that moment the air was filled with a tinkling laugh, and Felix looked up to see Sophia with her head thrown back. “Leo, you say thewickedestthings!” She giggled, obviously entertained. Leo, for his part, was wearing a satisfied smile, and Felix kind of wanted to push him off his horse.
“Leo, you’re sofunny!” he mimicked under his breath. He possibly pulled a face.
“All right there, Flick?” his father asked quietly.
“I’m fine,” he lied, still scowling.
“Uh-huh.” His father gave a gentle tug on his reins and stopped his horse.
“What are you doing? We’re meant to be guarding, not dawdling.” Felix slowed, Shadow moving restlessly.
“We can guard just fine from another five feet back, but this way Leo and his guest won’t see the face on you,” his father said under his breath. “Pull yourself together and do your job, son.”
Felix slumped in the saddle. His father was right.
He huffed out a breath, did his best to school his features into something pleasantly neutral, and flicked the reins for Shadow to move forward—and just in time, because Leo had also halted and was craning around in his saddle. “Flick?” he called, his brow creased. “Something wrong?”
“No, sire. Just finding my seat,” Felix said, giving a nod and ignoring the way his chest squeezed at the use of his nickname.
