His eyebrows drew together in confusion, as if he’d never been dismissed by a girl before. “I understand,” he finally said. Trailing his fingers down her arm, he lifted her hand, bringing it to his lips, where he softly kissed it. “Until next time.” He released her and left.
Allyssa sighed with relief. Tilting her face toward the setting sun, she closed her eyes, taking in its warmth. She put all thoughts of Prince Odar and him kissing her hand out of her mind. He may be devastatingly handsome, but that was all he had going for him.
Entering the library, she found it gloriously empty. She headed straight to the back wall where the private alcoves were located. The one on the end—the one she always used—still had its curtains drawn shut, so she flung them open and found the table stacked with books, just as she’d left it. Sliding onto the cushioned bench, she noticed two additional books about wooden jewelry. The librarian must have left them for her. She peeled back one of the covers and flipped through the pages, looking for some clue about the wooden ring she’d received.
“Princess,” a gruff voice said.
“What?” Allyssa snapped. Chiding herself for her nasty tone, she said, “I’m sorry.” Schooling her face into a mask of calm, she turned to whoever had interrupted her thoughts. “Yes?” she regally asked.
Jarvik stood there, staring at her. “I’d like to have a word with you.”
Allyssa froze. What did the squire want with her? Perhaps he came to reprimand her for dismissing the prince so easily the other day. She hadn’t spoken with Jarvik alone since the ball. Taking a deep breath, she prayed she could remain calm and not lose her temper. She motioned to the bench on the other side of the table, inviting him to join her.
He sat down and peered at the books lying on the table. “What are you reading?”
Slamming the book shut, she placed it on the bench next to her. “None of your business,” she answered.
His eyes narrowed. “You know, if you and Prince Odar marry, you and I will be working together quite often.”
Interesting choice of words. Not when she and the prince married, but if.
“I would prefer to work closely with the prince, not his lackey.” She folded her arms and leaned back against the wall, awaiting his response.
“I don’t care what you prefer,” Jarvik said, contempt in his voice. “The fact of the matter is, our kingdoms face war with Russek. We must do things we might not want to, in order to ensure the safety of our subjects.” He leaned forward on the table, as if challenging her to disagree with him.
“What is it you came here to discuss?” she asked, ready to be rid of the surly man.
“Prince Odar would like you to join him for a private dinner tonight.”
She sat there, staring at Jarvik, not sure how to respond. There was no way she was going to sit through an entire meal all alone with the prince, at least not until she absolutely had to.
“Can we be frank with one another?” Jarvik asked, his eyes darkening.
“I thought we already were.” Around the squire, she found she didn’t have to watch her words like she did with members of her court.
Jarvik glanced at her guards, who were far enough away they couldn’t hear. “Do you already have a lover?” he questioned.
Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. A lover? “Why?” she demanded. He had no right to ask her such a thing.
“Prince Odar is my primary concern,” he said, his voice low. “If you are in love with another man, he has a right to know before he enters into a marriage contract with you.”
Unable to help it, Allyssa started laughing at the absurdity of the conversation.
“This isn’t funny,” Jarvik spat.
“No, it’s not,” she said, becoming serious. “It is ridiculous. And not that it’s any of your business, but no, I do not have a lover.”
“Then why aren’t you interested in the prince?” he asked, scratching his head.
Leaning forward to invade his personal space, she said, “I’m going to rule an empire. I need more than a pretty face by my side. I want a man who’s intelligent and determined. Unless the prince can prove that to me, I have no reason to be interested in him. I want you to leave before I have my guards drag you out. I’m done with you.”
He abruptly stood. “Trust me, the feeling is quite mutual.”
She waved Marek over. “The squire was just leaving,” she said. “Please help him find his way out of the library.”
Marek reached for Jarvik, but the squire brushed him off. “I don’t need to be escorted, thank you very much.” He stormed away.