Page 31 of A Wayward Movement

“I believe that’s the term for something not yet proved.” Xavier shrugged.

“You don’t even believe there’s foul play, do you?” Alina said, frustration rising. “I should have known the crown still wasn’t taking this seriously when they sent you.”

An expression crossed the prince’s face, one she’d seen before on another occasion she’d spoken too harshly.

“I shouldn’t have said that,” she amended quickly. “But the threat is real, and we need to do something.”

“Which is exactly why you shouldn’t be hesitating to help when asked.”

Xavier’s voice was smooth again, but with a lingering coolness. Alina regretted her words doubly. Injured Xavier was much more unsettling for her heart than the charming prince.

“I just don’t see how I can be any great help,” she said. “I don’t know more than anyone else, and I don’t know why you think people will talk to me.”

“Alina, if you can’t tell how well liked you are, you’re not paying attention,” Xavier told her. “You should really learn to read people better. It’s incredibly useful.”

“You seem to consider yourself an expert, Your Highness, but I doubt I want to know how you acquired the skill,” Alina said.

The last of Xavier’s stiffness fell away, a rakish smile spreading across his face. “I doubt it as well,” he told her.

Alina shook her head, but she didn’t try to hide her smile. She was relieved that she’d restored his good mood. She’d come to a decision the day before, after she’d recovered from the shock of his arrival. She wasn’t going to wallow in the awkwardness of it all. And she wasn’t going to avoid him at all costs, either. Those approaches only made sense if she was ashamed of their history, or perhaps of the choices she’d made. But she wasn’t. She was content with her lot. The tedium of her days was the only thing that was sometimes a struggle, and a whirlwind visit from the famously outrageous prince would be just the thing to liven it up.

“So can we count on you for the investigation?” Xavier prompted, when she failed to say anything further.

Alina hesitated. Her determination to enjoy the prince’s foolishness by receiving it in the light-hearted way it was intended was all well and good. But signing on to trail him around every day as he conducted his investigation was maybe taking things a little far.

“I can’t, Your Highness,” she said.

“Can’t, or won’t?” the prince demanded.

Alina frowned. “I can’t afford to,” she clarified.

“You’ll be paid for your efforts, of course,” the prince assured her.

“I appreciate the offer,” Alina replied. “But it doesn’t change the answer. The investigation could go for weeks for all I know. My regular jobs won’t wait for me that long. I can’t afford to have no employment after the investigation finishes. There are people depending on me.”

He frowned, giving Alina the impression he couldn’t decide which of his questions to voice first.

“How much would you need to be paid in order for it to be worth it?” he asked calmly.

Alina let out a small sigh. She shouldn’t be surprised he was being persistent. Of course he was used to getting what he wanted. She cast around for a number, giving him a sum that was too absurdly exaggerated for him to approve, without being high enough to sound like a joke.

“Done,” said Xavier promptly. “How convenient—it turns out that was the exact figure I was going to offer you.”

Alina’s eyes widened. She knew his claim wasn’t true, of course, but he did seem to be genuine in the offer.

“Surely the team won’t approve such a high fee for my assistance,” she said.

“The team?” Xavier repeated, amused. “I am the team, Alina. It’s my investigation, and my decision. Consider it approved.”

Alina bit her lip. It was a difficult sum of money to turn down. It would replace her foolish expense on the green dress, many times over. She’d be halfway to affording to get Benji and Lilah to the capital, and paying for him to take the entrance test to see if he could qualify for a scholarship with the Craftsman’s Guild.

“And all you want is a local guide for the team?” she asked carefully.

A satisfied smile spread over Xavier’s face. He clearly knew he’d won the battle. The expression should have made him look smug and arrogant, but instead it was maddeningly appealing. Alina felt a flicker of annoyance which she pushed down, laughing at her own fickleness. Hadn’t she just been reminding herself, moments ago, that she was determined to enjoy his outrageousness rather than be offended by it?

“When do you want me to start?” Alina asked.

“Immediately.” Xavier’s reply was prompt. “We’re going to be following up on some information around town today. You should come with us. And soon we’ll go into Alton to ask some questions there, as well. We’ll want you to accompany us, of course.”