A Dove's Tale

Chapter 85

It didn't take me long to realize Prince Chevalier was carrying me toward the hall of bedrooms reserved for honored guests - like the foreign princes. I didn't need that kind of luxury, but arguing with him was as fruitless an endeavor as arguing with the doctor, so I held my tongue until he opened a door and I saw my new bedroom.

"Prince Chevalier," I gasped.

The bright floral blanket from my old house lay folded across the foot of the four-poster bed, with matching curtains tied back from the floor to ceiling window looking out onto a balcony over the gardens. Pastel spring green wallpaper and sheets complimented the colorful draperies, and a matching green rug covered most of the hardwood floor. Assorted furniture, including a bureau, vanity, sofa, and bookcase, gave the room a cozy but not cluttered feeling, and it was all lit by a massive gold chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling.

"Prince Chevalier, this is too much."

He set me on the bed, and I had only a second to register his smile before his lips were on mine, his arms encircling me gently to hold me in an upright position as he kissed me with an intensity I hadn't felt from him before. I closed my eyes and leaned into him, savoring the feel of his lips against mine, the smell of his cologne wrapping around me, wishing I could wrap my arms around his neck, settling for curling my fingers into his jacket instead. He pulled back and glanced down at my hands.

"Are you supposed to be doing that?" he asked with amusement, his warm blue eyes coming back up to my face as he removed one arm from around me to take one of my hands in his.

I shook my head, smiling so widely my cheeks hurt. "But I'm supposed to be lying down right now, too."

"You can do that after your surprise," he said, setting my hand on the sheets and reaching around me to prop up the pillows.

"Another one?"

He chuckled and put both hands on my waist, picking me up and shifting me back against the pillows. "This is just your bedroom. The surprise is still coming."

"You're spoiling me."

"I enjoy spoiling you," he replied, leaning forward to place a quick peck on my lips. "This suits you," he added, fingering the green fabric of my skirt.

"I told you he'd like the green skirt," Theresa said triumphantly from the doorway.

"Theresa! Can't you knock?" I exclaimed, my cheeks warming even more at her mischievous smirk. Prince Chevalier chuckled and stood up, turning to take my shoes off without a hint of flush in his cheeks.

"I didn't know I had to," she replied.

"W-well, you do!"

She giggled. "Where do you want the trunk?"

"Pick a spot fast," Prince Jin huffed, his face red with exertion as he led the trunk, with an equally red-faced Prince Luke at the other end, into the room. Theresa's bright green eyes immediately left me to stare at Prince Jin's bare forearms, flexed muscles exposed by his rolled-back sleeves, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

"Why don't you choose, Theresa?" I suggested.

"Oh, um, uh," she stammered, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she tore her eyes from Prince Jin's muscles to scan the room for a location. "How about over here?"

I giggled, and she shot me a glare. Prince Jin and Prince Luke set the trunk down with a unanimous groan and straightened up. Her eyes wandered back to Prince Jin, stretching his neck to the side and rolling his shoulder.

I would have so much fun teasing her about this later.

"How many books did ya read to her?" Prince Luke complained.