Page 7 of A Heart Too Tender

She wiped under her eyes as she gathered composure. “Thank you,” she breathed, raising her chin, “that was exactly what I needed to hear.”

We stood and spoke for quite a while, enjoying a companionship that I didn’t often find in people my own age.

“So why did you come tonight?” She asked, handing me yet another glass of wine.

I shrugged as I took it from her and drank deeply. It was the first time I’d ever had wine, and the warmth in my belly lightened the reins on my anxiety. “I’ve never been here before. Have you?”

Alric approached, wiping a peculiar shade of lipstick off his neck. “Lettie, we must go.” He threw cautious glances behind him, and I could sense Zuri sizing him up.

“Princess Zuri, this is my brother, Alric, Prince of Silver Hill.”

Recognition sparked in Zuri’s eyes, and a smirk tugged her lips up. “Ah, I’ve heard of you.”

I groaned internally. Everyone had heard of Alric. All the good looks of Prince August, none of the wealth, or discretion.

“It was nice to meet you, Princess Zuri, and I wish you successful trials.”

She gave me a warm smile before vanishing into a throng of gossamer gowns and a cloud of perfume as I followed Alric to our carriage. We hadn’t sought a room in the city or the castle, knowing my likelihood of selection was slim to none. But as the carriage pulled away, storm clouds gathered in the bleak darkness and seemed to mirror my mood.

The scent of rain was a welcome reprieve from the sweat and smells I had inhaled at the ball, but an unusual feeling washed over me. I would miss this place. There was so much I hadn’t explored, and I hadn’t even glimpsed Prince August.

I pressed a hand to my chest, staunching the anguish I felt growing there. What had I even come here for? The adventure I had craved felt just a hairsbreadth from my reach. A flash of crystalline blue eyes made the discomfort in my chest grow as I forced a deep breath. I hadn’t even spied the stranger on my way out or caught his name. No one had ever held me so intimately, yet so gentle before. Heat pooled in my belly and I felt the effects flush my face.

But it was better this way—I wouldn’t get my hopes up.

Alric wiped the beaded sweat from his brow and propped his long legs on my bench.

“Did you have a nice time?”

I snorted, shoving his feet off the upholstery, and wiping it clean. “Not as grand as you, I’m sure.”

“It was a ball, what else was I supposed to do? Sulk in the corner like you?”

My dress tightened around my chest, squeezing, as I wrapped my arms around my middle. “I wasn’t sulking. I saved a pixie, made a friend and even danced.” I stuck my tongue out at him and pulled the mask off my face.

The first drops of rain began to fall. I sighed to myself. I had always loved the rain and the damp, chilly air would soothe the burn surging through my veins.

Alric glared at the water running in rivulets down the side of the carriage before he closed the shutters in an attempt to keep us dry.

“I wonder how long it will rain?” he asked, wiping his wet hands off on his breeches.

“Hopefully, a long while. You didn’t happen to notice the tall man with a raven mask did you?”

Alric shook his head and grinned ruefully. “I was otherwise engaged. Why? Did you finally get swept off your feet?”