Page 35 of A Heart Too Tender

I smiled, thinking of my wild and unusual upbringing. “It was chaos,” I laughed, “we were raised right alongside the other kids so I’m sure I only know half of what the other princesses do about being royal.”

“What do you mean?”

“Instead of languages, I was learning about plants and animals in our territory. Instead of dances, I was learning what kind of fabrics are easiest to repair for ripped trousers. It was more practical of a childhood and less … superfluous.”

“It sounds useful,” Julian replied, a small grin to his lips.

“I’m not sure how well it will suit me in the future though,” I sighed.

“What else did you like to do in your free time?” Julian asked, pulling me close to avoid a wayward branch.

The feel of his body against mine sent shivers down my spine, and the hem of my dress snagged on something, yanking us to a stop.

“Oh goodness,” I cried, trying to untangle myself.

“Allow me,” Julian crouched and began untangling my dress from a tree root. His deft fingers worked quickly to free me and I couldn’t help but marvel at him.

“Thank you,” I replied once he had finished and looked up at me. I held the hem of my gown with my free hand to keep it from happening again.

“Let me ensure you are uninjured …” he muttered, and lightly ran his fingertips from the top of my ankle to the bottom of my calf. His touch had warmth pooling low in my belly and shallow breaths slipping from my parted lips. He rose in one steady motion, his eyes never leaving mine. I couldn’t tell if it was the light or if his feelings suddenly mirrored mine but they appeared darkened.

When he leaned ever so slightly in my direction, his lids now leadened, and lips parting, I turned quickly.

“Besides judging competitions, what do you like to do?” I asked, realizing I didn’t know much about him, and desperately trying to break the thrall I was tangling up in.

“I like building things, and traveling.”

“What sorts of things do you build?” I asked, intrigued.

“Buildings.”

“Goodness! What an overwhelming hobby,” I teased.

His grin was mischievous as he shot me a wink. “You could say that. The problem is getting the free time to do it.”

“The King and Queen keep you busy?”

“Very,” he sighed. “But it’s rewarding work.”

I nodded, understanding that completely. “It must be an honor. Your parents must be very proud of you.”

Julian cleared his throat as he nodded. “They are.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

I wanted to know everything about him.

“None. I’m an only child.”

I made a slight noise of displeasure. “How dreadful …”

“What about you? You have a brother, yes?”

I laughed out loud and he stared at me. “You could say that. Alric is, well— a menace.”

Julian shook his head. “I can admit. I have heard the stories. But you’re a bit of a mystery.”

I grinned. “That’s by design.”

“Is it?”

“It’s not that I keep out of the spotlight, I do find myself there from time to time, but I’m not as wayward as my brother. I embrace my duties—excel at them—if I’m not being too forward. There’s a lot of good I can do and I strive to.”

“Spoken like a queen,” he said under his breath.

I almost didn’t hear him, but the wonder that sparkled in his eyes had my cheeks blazing with color once more.

“We’re almost there,” he gestured to a gap in the trees and I could just make out the sparkling of moonlight on the water.