A Dove's Tale

Chapter 90

It really was silly of me to feel embarrassed. Chevalier called up an army to rescue me, and he'd spent so much time with me and doing things for me over my lengthy recovery that everybody in the palace knew what was going on between us, and, according to the Stotts, rumors were trickling out into the general populace, too. So, there was really no reason for me to be shy about walking hand-in-hand with him through the palace.

The king. I was walking hand-in-hand with the king through the palace.

Nope. Still embarrassed.

I kept my eyes on the floor, too nervous to look up and risk making eye contact with anybody. My cheeks had to be bright red. It was such a relief when the library door closed behind us - until I heard Chevalier's amused chuckle.

"It's not that funny," I pouted, glaring up at him. "This is my first day out of bed, and I've only been a princess for two weeks, so I think I'm entitled to being a little shy."

"No, you're not."

"What?"

The mischievous sparkle in his sidelong glance set the butterflies in motion. He led me into the back room, and I pulled free from his hand, spinning to face him as the lock clicked in the door.

"A princess should always hold her head up high," he said, removing his gloves and tossing them on the end table. I took a step back from him, the nervous fluttering in my stomach growing with the intensity in his eyes.

"But, if you would prefer that I treat you as a maid," he continued, each slow, deliberate step forcing me further back against the bookcases, "I suppose I can humor you."

My hands touched the shelves behind me a moment before my back pressed into them.

"Well, I don't know that I want you to treat me as a maid," I said, keeping my voice steady even as my heart raced out of control. "You weren't very nice to me when I first started working for you."

His fingers touched my neck, sending a shiver of anticipation down my spine.

"And yet, you stayed," he said, tracing lightly up and down, back and forth, his eyes drawing nearer and nearer. "But you always have been a foolish little dove, haven't you?"

I bit my lip nervously. His eyes dropped to my mouth, then flicked up to my eyes, giving me a split second to register the heat in his gaze before his lips were on mine. He pressed into me with a hungry urgency I'd never felt before, sliding his fingers around my neck to cradle the back of my head, his other hand circling my waist to bring me closer as he nibbled on my bottom lip and drew a surprised gasp from me. I wrapped my arms around his neck as the kiss deepened, his tongue tasting mine and stealing my breath, making my head spin more with every kiss. When I was sure I couldn't take any more, his lips left mine to travel down my throat, giving me the chance to catch my breath as his onslaught of affection continued.

"Chevalier, I think you've had too much champagne," I gasped, digging my fingers into his cloak as his hand slid down my shoulder and his kisses trailed down my neck.

"I only had one glass," he breathed. "What I've had too much of is you."

"Wh-what? Oh..."

He nibbled on my collarbone, and my knees went out from under me.

"Or not enough of you," he amended himself, pulling my collar aside to expose my shoulder. The sensation of fabric leaving my skin and cool air drafting across it sent a sudden surge of panic through me that far outweighed the pleasure of his kisses. I shrank away from his hand and into his chest, the breath catching in my throat and escaping as a soft whimper.