A Dove's Tale

Chapter 16

Finally, the clock told me it was a few minutes to five o'clock. I knocked at Prince Chevalier's library door, waited a second for the usual lack of response, and then let myself in to collect his empty teacup.

"Have a good night, Prince Chevalier," I said cheerfully, my mind already walking the road my feet would soon be taking.

"What happened in the Mime's room?" Prince Chevalier asked.

The road home vanished as I stared at him in alarm. His cold blue eyes held me frozen in place. How did he know about that? Did he know what Prince Licht was doing? Or was this from earlier, when I'd let my guard down? That had to be it, but why did he wait until now to ask?

It didn't matter. I couldn't tell him, and I quickly schooled my expression into a mask of composure.

"I gave him the note and the tickets, and he told me to leave, your highness," I carefully replied.

"And?"

And I couldn't hide anything from Prince Chevalier, but the memory of Prince Licht's rough hand clamped over my mouth was more frightening than Prince Chevalier's frigid glare right now.

"And I need to go home, your highness."

His eyes flashed.

"When I ask you a question, I expect you to answer it."

"I did answer it, your highness," I replied firmly. "If my answer doesn't satisfy you, perhaps you should ask Prince Licht yourself. Now, if you'll excuse me-"

"Yesterday."

I froze mid-turn. He was asking about the food stall again. I hadn't answered that question, not even partially, and I wasn't about to answer it now.

"It's none of your business, your highness," I muttered, heading for the door as briskly as possible. His hand beat me to it, slamming it closed as I tried to open it, and he grabbed my arm, spinning me around to face him. I flashed back to my first day, my heart pounding out of control as I stared up at that same frigid expression.

What was going on today?

"Someone scares you more than me," he said, his voice dropping into a low, threatening growl. "Do you realize how foolish that is, little dove?"

Nothing made sense today. Absolutely nothing. Why was he doing this?

"I need to go home, Prince Chevalier," I repeated, trying to keep my voice steady as his black-gloved finger traced up and down my throat.

"Answer my question."

"No," I said firmly. "I told you what I could about Prince Licht, but I made a promise, and I intend to keep it. Yesterday doesn't matter."

"If it doesn't matter, why won't you tell me?"

"Why do you care?" I countered, frustration and anger rising in my chest. "It doesn't affect you, and it doesn't affect my work, so it doesn't matter, and that doesn't change just because you feel like playing some sort of sick game with me. Is that what's going on today? I was so entertaining yesterday that you and your brothers came up with a plan to keep the fun going? Well, I'm sorry, but I'm not having any fun, and I'd really like to go home and forget all about this horrible day."

I slammed my mouth shut, but it was too late. The damage had been done. The princes had chipped away at my self-control bit by bit as the day went on, and I had to lose it with Prince Chevalier, of all people. His impassive face gave no clues what he was thinking. His fingers continued their dance across my neck. I waited, my heart pounding in my ears.

"You have become brazen," he murmured.

I swallowed hard. "My apologies, your highness. I was out of line."