Page 72 of A Wayward Movement

The four guards Xavier had requested materialized as soon as they started to move, and the six of them walked in silence. Xavier seemed relaxed, but Alina felt nervous. Her aunt had disapproved of her helping with the crown’s investigation—what would she say when Alina turned up with the prince himself in tow?

She remembered her aunt’s unreasonable frustration that the crown hadn’t somehow prevented Alina’s father from being ruined. She just hoped the bizarre grievance wouldn’t color Aunt Diana’s interactions with the prince.

But there was no avoiding it now. Xavier was clearly determined to accompany her, and she knew from experience that when he was determined to do something, it was near impossible to shake him from his purpose.

Chapter

Seventeen

Alina was very quiet as she led the way to her aunt’s house, and Xavier thought he’d be driven mad with wondering what was in her mind. He kept watching her sideways, trying to read her profile.

It wasn’t an arduous activity. She had a particularly lovely profile. And he should know, he thought ruefully. He’d spent years making a study of just what features women most tried to show off. It was why he was so good at giving exactly the right compliment to either delight or fluster, depending on the whim of the moment.

For possibly the first time, he found himself wishing he’d spent his time and energy on something more useful. He’d thought his tricks were working well with Alina, but she’d shattered that illusion when he’d seen her with that whelp, Benji. It wasn’t news to him that she was an entirely different sort of woman from the ones he’d made a study of. But he hadn’t fully considered before just what a disadvantage he was at with someone looking for real substance rather than flattery.

He’d decided long ago that if he was going to be branded as wayward and irresponsible, he may as well do it with flourish and get some entertainment from it. For years, he’d made an art of swallowing any instinct of authenticity or serious thought, and carefully projecting the opposite. It had been very effective both in getting him out of many of the more tedious duties that came with his position, and in earning the approval of his multitude of vapid admirers. But he must have been out of his mind to think the same tricks would win Alina’s approval. He supposed he should be grateful she’d found him entertaining rather than offensive, but gratitude was not what he felt.

Did Alina despise him? Did she think him as foolish as Benji, but lacking the teenager’s good intentions and therefore much worse? His chest tightened at the thought that she saw him as entertaining but not worthy of respect. Was that why she’d been reluctant for him to accompany her to her aunt’s house?

None of his turmoil showed on his face. He was good at wearing a mask, and it came to his rescue now. Something had changed between him and Alina during their ordeal in the desert. Its effects were conflicting—on the one hand, he felt a constant need to keep her close so he could assure himself she was safe. But at the same time, he needed some space to figure out how to approach the relationship now.

So he kept his thoughts to himself, and tried to pull his eyes from that compliment-worthy profile.

As Alina had predicted, the walk took only ten minutes. Xavier hadn’t even noticed Zuzu following him, but she swooped in to land on his shoulder as they came to a stop outside a respectable house. He scratched the anzu’s chin absently. It had been a bit overwhelming at first, but she was becoming a delightfully low-maintenance pet, which suited him perfectly.

“This is the place?” Xavier asked Alina, casting an eye over the dwelling before him. It looked a little tired and wasn’t as fashionable as some of the other homes they’d passed. But it was large, complete with a yard and a small kitchen garden. He hadn’t expected such comfortable circumstances. He frowned. “Why did you stop living with them, again?”

“There was no reason for them to keep housing me once I was grown,” Alina said, as though it was a foolish question. “Come on.”

Xavier followed Alina through the painted gate, noting her demeanor. She was usually very sure of herself, so he didn’t understand why her manner would become uncertain around the only people she had a real claim on.

They hadn’t yet reached the front door when it swung open. The woman who strode out, a basket on her arm, bore no strong resemblance to Alina. But Xavier wasn’t left in suspense as to her identity.

“Aunt Diana.” Alina raised a hand in greeting. “I’m back again already, I’m afraid!”

The older woman paused, her gaze passing swiftly from her niece to the prince. For a prolonged moment she just stared. Xavier smiled in a friendly way, used to people needing a moment to compose themselves after unexpectedly encountering royalty. Then Alina’s aunt unfroze, dipping into a surprisingly graceful curtsy.

“Your Highness! This is an honor indeed.” She turned to her niece. “Alina, I’m so happy to see you. And so glad that I don’t have to rush off this time. We’re overdue for a proper visit, I’ve been regretting how distracted I was the last couple of times you were here. Today, I’m all yours.”

“But you were on your way out,” Alina protested.

“No, no,” her aunt assured her. “Just going to collect the eggs, but one of the children can do that. Come in.” She waved them forward, hesitating as she looked again at Xavier. “That is, you’re very welcome, Your Highness, but I don’t want to presume…”

“I’d love to come in,” Xavier said cheerfully. “Thank you for your hospitality.” He gestured behind him. “I’m afraid my guards will insist on accompanying us.”

“Of course,” Aunt Diana said, inclining her head. “They’re welcome, too.”

She ushered them inside, and Alina followed at once. Xavier stayed a moment to approve his guards’ request for two of them to follow him inside and two to patrol the outside of the building.

He entered to catch the end of a whispered conversation between Alina and her aunt.

“—sure it’s all right? I know last time you told me you didn’t think I should be—”

“Oh, Alina, I’m sorry about all that, don’t give it another thought. Of course we’re honored to have the prince visit us. You never said a word last time about anyone so exalted being on this investigation team!”

Xavier entered the room, and both women fell silent. He pretended not to have heard, but his curiosity was burning. What had Alina’s aunt thought she shouldn’t be doing? Why had Alina omitted to mention him when telling her aunt about the investigation?

A couple of Alina’s teenage cousins appeared, and she performed introductions. Xavier responded dutifully, being friendly for Alina’s sake even though the giggling of one cousin and the open-mouthed staring of the other were tedious.