A Dove's Tale

Chapter 63

My mind was a mess.

What was I supposed to say? How was I supposed to explain sitting in a private gazebo with Prince Gilbert? My blush would complete the picture well enough to whoever was approaching, and though I hadn't wanted Prince Gilbert's attention, he had been kissing me.

And I hadn't hated it.

I really needed to get away from him so I could think. He was like a poison seeping into my thoughts, twisting what I knew and what I thought I knew until I wasn't sure of anything anymore. I'd scooted to the opposite end of the bench from him, but there still wasn't enough distance between us. He was still right there, both arms stretched out over the back of the bench and one leg crossed over the other, watching me and clearly enjoying himself at my expense.

"Ivetta!" Prince Clavis called, rounding the bend in the cobblestone path with Prince Silvio following closely on his heels. A faint hope fluttered in my chest. Prince Clavis' smile remained firmly in place as his golden eyes flicked from me to Prince Gilbert and back again, but it seemed strained. "Fancy seeing you two here."

Prince Silvio was already smirking knowingly.

"I found the official tour of the palace lacking," Prince Gilbert said casually. "It ignored these beautiful rose gardens and their great potential. Fortunately, our little dove has been more than happy to accommodate my interests."

I dropped my gaze to my lap, clenching my hands in my skirt until my knuckles turned white, hating how red I knew my cheeks were. Could he make it sound any worse?

"Careful with that 'our little dove' talk, Gil," Prince Clavis said lightly. "Chev doesn't take kindly to the idea of sharing her."

And Prince Clavis was making it worse. Just what I needed. I closed my eyes as the spark of hope died, wishing I were anywhere but here.

"So I've noticed, and yet he keeps sending his brothers to fetch her in his place. Now, why do you think that might be?" Prince Gilbert asked thoughtfully.

Prince Silvio laughed. "Probably so he doesn't kill you. If you had your hands all over my woman, I know I'd kill you."

I grit my teeth, wondering how much more of this I could take. How much more I would have to take, since I didn't really have a choice in the matter. I had to sit here until they let me leave. Prince Clavis was under Prince Gilbert's thumb, just like I was, and he couldn't help me.

But then I heard three claps, and that spark of hope was back.

"Okay, since I am clearly the only gentleman here, as well as the most handsome prince present, I shall take it upon myself to escort the lady from this bawdy house. Ivetta, shall we go?"

I looked up to see a brown-gloved hand hovering in front of me and Prince Clavis smiling down at me. The choice was simple. I placed my hand in his and stood as his fingers tightened around mine, so much warmer than Prince Gilbert's frosty touch.

"Not so fast. I still have a few questions for her," Prince Silvio said, leaning against a pillar at the entrance to the gazebo and looking me over with his sharp sea-blue eyes.

"Hm. In that case, I'll just have to make you move," Prince Clavis said pleasantly, reaching into his jacket to withdraw a small glass vial.

Prince Silvio's light blue eyebrows shot up to disappear behind his fringe, and he stepped quickly aside. "Are you insane?"

Prince Clavis laughed. "I don't know, but Gil should, since he is. How about it, Gil? Am I insane?" he asked cheekily, shooting a smirk back at Prince Gilbert as he pocketed the vial and led me out of the gazebo.