I managed a smile. “Perhaps I am. I don’t feel like myself any longer.” Did love change a person? I felt I’d been turned inside out—and it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling by any means.
Ali’s concerned gaze caressed my face, so tenderly. “Something has changed, but I can’t quite figure out what. You’re normally an open book, but you’ve not only closed yours but locked it as well.”
“That means you only need to find the key—a noble quest for a gallant knight.”
An earnest intensity filled his entire expression. “I’ll never stop looking until I have.”
I rested my head against his chest and allowed him to hold me. In this moment, I knew for a certainty I’d found my prince, a man who’d been in disguise but who was everything I’d ever wanted in my prince. While my story hadn’t gone entirely as planned and I’d had to rewrite many chapters, there was still a plot element I was determined to have—that of my true love professing his love for me. Only then would I know for sure whether I possessed the heart of the man I loved.
Chapter 25
I spent the next several days hidden away in my room, poring over volumes of fairy tales taken from the royal library’s vast collection. It took hours perusing them and studying their secrets with a religious fervor to create the perfect plan for how to obtain a confession of love. I researched tale after tale, exploring the methods used by heroines to capture their heroes’ hearts. I painstakingly wrote down each foolproof tip—staging an opportunity for the object of my affection to perform a dramatic rescue on my behalf, batting eyelashes, demure smiles, accidental touches, compliments on his manhood, staring at his lips, and seeking uses for his brawny strength. Success was assured.
I gasped at the knock on the door. My list fluttered to the ground and my elbow bumped into my teetering stack of books as I bent to retrieve it, knocking them over. Oh bother.
“Rosie?”
Eileen. I dropped to the floor and scrambled around, gathering my books in a wild frenzy. “Yes?”
“Can I come in?”
“If you must.”
The door opened and Eileen entered. “‘If I must?’ What a way to greet your best friend.” Her bewildered expression took me in, kneeling on the floor amidst the chaos I’d created. “What are you up to? I’ve scarcely seen you for days, inexcusable with your visit nearing its conclusion. I’ve come to convince you not only to leave your room but to possibly extend your stay.”
She bit her lip, looking as if she feared I’d want to leave as soon as possible with my lovesick prince still driving me insane, but I now had a greater incentive to stay, even if it meant putting up with Prince Liam.
“Of course I’ll extend it.” After all, I needed more time to extract a confession of love from Ali. “I need to stay longer in order to…oh, bother.”
I’d picked up one book too many and my entire armful toppled. The breeze created by the falling books caused my list of flirting advice to blow towards Eileen. She picked it up, brow furrowed. I gasped and scrambled over to grab the incriminating evidence.
“Oh, please don’t read it.”
Too late. “Flirting Advice from Literature’s Greatest Heroines—A Romantic Guide Compiled by Heroine Rosalina, Seeker of Her Happily Ever After.” She raised her gaze to mine. “What’s going on, Rosie? I thought you were trying to discourage Liam’s affections, not encourage them.”
I gnawed at my fingernail as I remembered my lovesick prince. I’d been receiving love notes three times a day since I’d locked myself in my room, and they’d immediately gone straight into the fire. “I don’t want Prince Liam’s attention but rather his inattention. Unfortunately, the love spell hasn’t worn off.” At this point I was beginning to fear it never would.
Eileen’s eyebrows rose. “Such interesting techniques you have here. Who are you trying to woo, Rosie?”
I fought to maintain an innocent air. “Who says I want to woo anybody?”
Eileen smiled girlishly. “Oh Rosie, you can’t hide anything from me. I know it’s Alastar. I must say you’ve been quite slow to realize you care for him. It’s driven me and Aiden mad.”
“Aiden knows?” How mortifying that even the Dark Prince knew of my ignorance to recognize my true love. Did the entire palace also know? How could everyone have known my true feelings when I’d kept my most precious secret hidden even from myself? I covered my face in my hands. “What a daft heroine I’ve been.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. It took me a while to realize that I loved Aiden.”
“So you don’t mind me wooing your guard?”
“Rosie, it’s obvious you already have his heart.”
“I hope so, but I can’t be sure until he professes his love for me.”
Before Eileen could comment, a note slid beneath my door. She picked it up and grinned girlishly as she read it.
I sighed. “I’m so sick of Prince Liam’s love notes. Just toss it into the fire.”
“You might want to read this one first.”
I seized the note and my heart fluttered when I saw the signature—it was from my real prince.
Dearest Rosie,
I’ve pondered your recent and rather agonizing absence and have entertained several possibilities: either you’ve been cursed by a wicked warlock, you’re lost within the secret passageways, you’ve become a tasty snack for a dragon, or you’re avoiding me. Whatever scenario has befallen my damsel in distress, I’ll be your gallant knight and find a way to either break your curse or rescue you from becoming a ghost trapped within the palace walls.
I miss you.
Ali
I happily gaped at my delightful note, far better than all of Prince Liam’s love notes combined. Eileen wrapped her arm around me for a side hug. “I believe you’ve already succeeded in your quest. Simply share your feelings with Alastar rather than this nonsense.” She nodded towards my list of flirting advice.
“I’ve already rewritten so many of the chapters in my story; this one needs to go as I’ve always dreamed: my true love confessing his undying love for me.”
Eileen sighed. “Must everything be so complicated? There’s no need to play games.”
“But Ali and I always play games.”
“I can’t deny that.” Eileen shrugged. “Well, if your silly quest will get you to leave your room so you can spend time with me and a certain guard you’re head over heels for, then so be it.”
I froze with my hand on the knob. “Is Ali right outside the door?” My heart fluttered in hope.
“No, I asked him to wait in the garden for me.” And she led me from my bedroom so the quest “Win the Confession of Ali’s Heart” could commence.
The moment we stepped into the gardens, Ali hurried up to me, not even glancing at Eileen, let alone bowing; Eileen only smiled in amusement at his faux pas before quietly slipping away.
“I see you found your way out of the passageways,” he said. “I was about to organize the royal guards to search for you.”
Seeing him again was like eating a feast after a long period of starvation. Flutters overcame my heart just being in his presence. “It wasn’t the passageways that I’d succumbed to but the curse of an evil warlock.”
“If I’d known earlier, I’d have embarked on an epic quest to discover the counterspell to save you. Thankfully, you’ve rescued yourself and had no need of a knight. I’m relieved it was only a curse that befell you rather than a dragon consuming you.”
I giggled. Oh, how I’d missed him. “Luckily, I was able to avoid the palace dragon.”
He eyed me warily and broke from our playful script. “Obviously, you’re whole and unspelled, so does that mean you’ve been avoiding me?” He actually bit his lip in worry at the possibility.
“There were some important matters I needed to attend to.” And speaking of, it was time to implement the first bit of advice I’d excavated from my precious fairy tales. I tipped my head back and batted my eyelashes. Surely, he’d melt at
such an adorable romantic gesture and thus feel compelled to share the feelings of his heart.
Instead of melting like he was supposed to, his brow furrowed. “Do you have something in your eye, Rosie?”
I stopped immediately, my cheeks flaring with heat. “It must have been the dust from all the books I’ve been reading.” Not to be deterred, I tried another tactic and offered him my most alluring smile.
“Are you alright, Rosie? You don’t look well.”
Defeated again. Why weren’t these fairy-tale-tested flirting techniques working?
“Perhaps you need a brisk stroll through the garden.” He tipped his head down the path and motioned for me to follow. I waited for him to reach for my hand in order to hold it like he’d done a few nights previously, but he determinedly kept his arms clasped behind his back. My heart cracked.
We walked in silence. I suddenly felt both uncharacteristically shy around Ali and rather lost. How did one interact with the love of their life? Things had been so easy before I’d realized just how dear this man was to me. Now I was afraid of saying the wrong thing and inadvertently sabotaging everything.
“Did you read any interesting stories while you were immersed in your world of words?” he finally asked to shatter the silence.
I avoided his eyes. “Not really.”
He tilted his head, waiting for me to elaborate, but it was hard to be imaginative when glaring at Ali’s unavailable hand, one I desperately wanted to hold.
He frowned. “Hmm, you seem different ever since our midnight dance. I know you, Rosie—you’re hiding something. Won’t you please tell me?”
My secret burned on my tongue, one I wanted to share but couldn’t until he professed his love first. But I refused to let my secret conquer me, for this was a battle I was determined to win.
Focus, Rosie. What were more of those flirting tips? But it was impossible to concentrate with Ali so near, bathing me in his intoxicating warmth.
“You smell like lemons,” I blurted. You smell like lemons!? Oh, what a ridiculous thing to say.
He gaped at me as if I’d lost my mind, which I likely had. “Pardon?”
“You smell like honey and lemons,” I stuttered. “Just like my favorite muffins.”
He continued to gape at me for an agonizing moment before he chuckled. “It’s a defense mechanism against dragons."
“Of course it is.” I instinctively leaned closer, succumbing to the battle that had been raging in me since being in his presence again. “Are you sure it isn’t pollen for a Rosie?”
His breath hooked and his gaze locked with mine. A fierce intensity passed between us. “I desperately hope so.”
We stared at one another for a blissful moment more before I lowered my gaze to his lips, flirting tactic number three. To my delight this one worked. He leaned down and I stood on tiptoe to meet him…
“Alastar, where’s Eileen?”
Ali yanked away from me, cheeks crimson, and swiveled around to face Aiden, who’d arrived with Duncan guarding closely behind. He watched us with a frown.
“The princess?” Ali stuttered.
Aiden’s frown deepened. “Yes. Where is she? You’re on duty and should be watching her.”
Ali looked around the rose garden where we stood, scanning the manicured paths. There was no sign of Eileen. “I—”
Aiden’s eyes widened. “You mean you don’t know?”
“I—no, Your Highness, I’m afraid I don’t.”
Panic and anger filled Aiden’s face. He looked ready to spring into a frantic search when Eileen strolled casually into the rose garden, her sketchbook tucked under her arm. Before she could even greet us, Aiden seized her in a tight embrace.
“What is it, Aiden? Is something wrong?”
“Where were you?” he demanded.
“I just went to fetch my sketchbook,” she said. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had a chance to draw, and these gardens are too lovely to remain unsketched for long.” Her brow furrowed as she took in Aiden’s expression. “Were you worried about me?”
“Alastar lost track of you, which is inexcusable,” Aiden nestled her close and began rubbing her back.
“It was more I purposely lost track of Alastar,” Eileen said. “He was spending time with Rosie, and I thought they could use a moment alone in order to—” She gave me a mischievous look and my heart tightened with guilt.
Her explanation was clearly not enough to satisfy Aiden. He snapped his attention back to Ali and glared. “Your duty is to watch the crown princess and to ensure no harm befalls her, not to fraternize with her friend.”
Ali bowed his head. “You’re right. I forgot my place. My apologies, Your Highness.”
“An apology isn’t good enough. Eileen could have been hurt.”
Eileen rolled her eyes. “Aiden, I was only gone for a few minutes.”
“I know, dearest, but you are the future queen, meaning there’s always the possibility of harm befalling you. Alastar’s first duty is to the crown.” His glare sharpened. “He hasn’t been paying close attention for weeks. I cannot tolerate this any longer. I’m afraid he’s going to have to lose his post.”
Ali flinched but nodded humbly. “I understand, Your Highness. Please forgive me for failing to protect the princess.”
Panic knotted my insides. I’d distracted Ali and now he was being punished for it. Once again I’d made a muddle of everything. “No! Please Aiden, don’t send Ali away. It was my fault. I was trying to—I mean, I was distracting him because—” My cheeks burned.
Aiden frowned at me. “Rosalina, it’s only due to your friendship with Eileen and my friendship with Alastar that I’ve tolerated the situation for this long, but things cannot continue like this.” He turned to Alastar. “I’m sorry, but your behavior has left me no choice.”
Ali merely nodded in acquiescence while horror swelled within my breast. “Please give him another chance. I promise I won’t talk to him while he’s on duty.”
Eileen rested her hand on his arm. “Please Aiden, don’t punish him. It’s my fault for leaving without telling him.”
Aiden shook his head. “He should have noticed you’d disappeared, whether you told him you were leaving or not.”
“Yes, dear, I know, but don’t be too harsh on him. He’s been a wonderful guard and remarkably attentive considering the circumstances…” Her eyes flicked towards me and I wanted to sink in shame that my presence had been causing trouble for Ali. Eileen rested her hand on Aiden’s cheek. “Please give him another chance. For me.”
He searched her eyes for a moment before sighing, relenting. He glanced at Ali. “I don’t want to punish you, Alastar. You’ve been a loyal friend, which is why I’ve entrusted you with Eileen’s protection.”
“You have every right to be upset, Your Highness,” Ali said solemnly. “It was the greatest honor to be granted the position to protect the princess, and I have treated it lightly as of late. Forgive me.”
Aiden stared at Ali for a long moment. “Despite the circumstances, I’m still inclined to give you another chance.” His expression became serious. “But I’m warning you—this is the last time this lack of attention will be tolerated.”
Ali bowed, and when he straightened, I gave him a relieved smile, expecting him to return it, but he hastily looked away, his jaw taut, as if angry with me that I’d nearly cost him his job. My heart sank. This wasn’t how the story was supposed to go, for if Ali loved me, surely he’d understand I hadn’t meant to hurt him. It seemed that tragedy struck whatever I touched.
Chapter 26
True to his word, Ali guarded Eileen with rigid and unwavering attention, not even glancing in my direction whenever we were together. Although I yearned for the relationship we’d built between us, I understood the reason for his inattention—he wanted to prove to Aiden he was still worthy of the position to which he’d been entrusted. But when his behavior continued long after he was off duty, my panic escalated, especially
when I no longer found him wandering the palace at night, no matter how many corridors I traipsed through.
On the third night of his absence, a horrific thought filled my heart—he was obviously avoiding me. The only explanation I could conjure up as to why was that he didn’t share my tender feelings like I’d believed. Perhaps that was why he’d never confessed his love for me. I must have mistaken his affections, just as I’d been wrong about Prince Liam’s. Horror curdled my stomach at the thought. Now nothing remained for me except for living out my spinsterhood in Arador with my cats.
I entered the dining room for breakfast. Out of habit, I glanced over at Ali’s usual guarding place and startled—he wasn’t there. Instead, Duncan stood in his place. I frantically scanned the dining room but there was no sign of him. My panic rose—Aiden must have sacked him after all.
“Eileen, where’s Ali?” I demanded.
She paused in buttering her toast and glanced towards the wall, as if just noticing her usual guard wasn’t at his post. “I don’t know.”
How could she not know? I turned to Aiden, sitting at her right. “Where’s Ali? Did you let him go? I thought you were going to give him another chance. He’s been unwavering in his promise not to talk to me.” A bit too much so.
“He approached me last evening requesting time off,” Aiden said. “He didn’t say why.” But the look he gave me caused me to suspect that I was the reason. Ali must not be able to bear being around me any longer. My stomach tightened in despair.
I scrambled from the table over to Duncan. Surely my prince’s brother would know his whereabouts. “Where’s Ali?”
Duncan continued looking straight ahead, “I couldn’t say, Miss Rosalina.”
“Did he leave the palace?”
No response. I released a huff of frustration.
“He did, didn’t he? He must be avoiding me.” The thought was unbearable. “Do you know when he’s coming back?”
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