A Beast's Tale

Chapter 13

This was a mistake.

I'd wanted to tease Leon, but I was tormenting myself. There was precious little to look at within the carriage other than Ivetta, and although I'd always possessed unparalleled powers of observation, I'd never been so aware of a female presence before. It was frustrating. Her gradual relaxation throughout the ride had resulted in an open, unguarded expression that elevated her charm, and try as I might to direct my eyes to the window opposite her, I found my gaze drifting back to her. For the first time in my life, I wished I didn't notice everything.

She was looking out of the window now, green eyes alight as she took in the rose-festooned streets, shops, and people. Her sleek black ponytail followed the curve of her neck over her shoulder to cascade down her dress, and when the breeze caught a few loose strands of hair and sent them skittering across her face, she reached slender fingers up to brush them behind her ear, then smoothed her skirt and settled her hands in her lap, twisting the end of her ponytail around her finger. Her eyes moved to follow something, and her full pink lips parted with momentary surprise before coming together in a soft smile.

I should have brought a book.

Although she occupied most of my attention, I didn't miss the many guards we passed, more than was usual for this annual celebration. Licht hated festive occasions and crowds, but I knew he and his horse Marron were somewhere among the mounted patrol. Festivalgoers would assume they were only present to keep the peace. If all went well, Licht and his men would find and apprehend the scum plaguing the city without creating even a mild disturbance.

I'd have to keep my focus on Ivetta once we exited the carriage. No sane person would dare to try anything so long as she stayed near me, but it would be all too easy to get separated, even with my proclivity for clearing a path at a single glance. The carriage was already slowing from the thickening crowd.

When I called for the coachman to stop, Ivetta's clear green eyes came  to me, her face smoothing into a neutral, demure expression. "You are here as my personal attendant," I told her. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Satisfied with her response, I opened the carriage door and stepped down onto the cobblestones. People took one look at me and hurried to move away, recognizing my nobility by my dress and my bearing, and Ivetta followed in my wake, beside and half a step behind. It was amusing to watch grown men avert their eyes from me, knowing the petite maid on my heels had never shown such signs of intimidation in my presence.

"Hey there!" a booming voice called out from the masses.

Leon. I was never hard to find in a group because of the ample space surrounding me, and he was never hard to find because of the people swarming to him. He had stripped himself of his royal regalia, as was his custom when he wanted to blend in with the general populace, and he was shouldering his way toward us in a plain black shirt and black pants, his smile focused on Ivetta.

"Didn't think you were coming. And you're still in uniform." He reached out to tousle her hair, and although she swatted his hand away, she still smiled at him.

"I'm still working, P—Leon," she said, catching herself before using his title and breaking his cover.

"Chevalier, you're making this lady work at a festival? That's no fun. How 'bout I buy you a drink, Ivetta?"

"Oh, I don't know." She bit her lip and looked up at me. "Prince Chevalier?"

The hopefulness in her eyes would have made it impossible for me to deny her request if I'd intended to do so, which I hadn't.

"Do as you wish." I shifted my gaze to Leon. "We won't be here long."

He grinned, understanding my unspoken message. I hadn't brought her here to use her as bait. "Apple cider it is," he announced, and then he disappeared back into the crowd.