A Dove's Tale

Chapter 79

"Your handsome and gallant savior has arrived," Prince Clavis announced, strolling into my room later that afternoon with a wide grin and mischievous golden eyes.

"Prince Clavis," the doctor started, drawing himself up to his full height of five and a half feet and putting his hands on his hips.

"I know, I know," Prince Clavis interrupted, waving the doctor off. "She's in a very fragile state, be careful, don't stress her out, if anything goes wrong, I lose my head, blah, blah blah. I've already heard it all from Chev, so you can go now."

The doctor relaxed and shook his head, his mustache twitching as he left. I didn't see any reason to hide my smile as Prince Clavis sat on the chair next to my bed.

"Hello, Prince Clavis."

"Oh, good. You remember my name," he said lightly. "I'm not sure my heart can handle another rejection like the one you gave me a few days ago."

"I didn't reject you, Prince Clavis," I chided him.

"Of course you didn't. How could you reject someone as charming as me?" He scooted the chair closer and leaned in conspiratorially. "I know you were too weak from blood loss to think clearly when I swooped in to save the day. But just between you and me, that really damaged Chev's ego, so I think we should hide our love from him a little longer. He's in a delicate state right now, and another blow might send him into an emotional meltdown. Or a bloodbath. Or both."

I giggled and rolled my eyes. "You never change, do you?"

He sat back in the chair and shrugged. "Why mess with perfection? So, aside from Chev's obviously overbearing behavior, any complaints? Bad food, stinky soap, loud neighbors? Chev's gone now, which means I'm in charge, so you can tell me the truth."

"No, there's nothing to complain about. The food is delicious, the soap smells like lilacs, and the doctor is a quiet neighbor."

He laughed. "You never change either, Ivetta. This is clearly a dump, but you're too sweet to say so," he said, gesturing broadly at the room that was larger than my old house, tastefully decorated with pale pink furnishings, and well-lit by a massive window and a glittering golden chandelier. "But I guess I can make a few changes, so your stay is at least tolerable until you're well enough to make the journey to my private villa. Then you'll learn the true meaning of luxury."

This was already at a level of luxury on par with the palace. I couldn't imagine anything more luxurious, and Prince Clavis' smirk filled me with misgivings.

"What changes?" I asked suspiciously.

"That is best left as a surprise, but I'm open to requests," he teased.

"But there's nothing I need," I said quickly. "The doctor takes good care of me, and all I really want is company, so I don't get bored. That's all."

"That's all?" he asked, raising a quizzical violet eyebrow.

"That's all," I repeated.

His grin widened. "Then you'll love what I have in mind. It'll take a little time-"

I opened my mouth to protest, but he raised a hand to silence me.

"Now, I know you're dying of curiosity, but you'll just have to be patient. We'd better talk about something else to get your mind off of it. Hm, let's see..." He put a finger to his chin and tapped it thoughtfully while I tried not to imagine what he might be planning. "Did Chev tell you about the treaty?"

"I heard something about that," I said evasively. Prince Clavis didn't need to know that I heard it from Prince Gilbert, not Prince Chevalier.

"Chev probably didn't want to overload you with boring facts and details. Luckily for you, I am never boring, so who better to tell you what the rest of Rhodolite already knows? While Chev and I were out rescuing you from a psychopath, the rest of our brothers cooked up a four-way alliance with Benitoite, Jade, and Obsidian. It'll be official as soon as all the kings sign the treaty."