A Dove's Tale

Chapter 103

"We need to get another chair in here."

Chevalier chuckled and turned the page of his book, his arm flexing against my waist as he did so. When I told him the day was his, I didn't think he'd insist on me sitting on his lap while we read our respective books. He didn't want me to sit on the floor, he wouldn't sit on the floor, and he didn't want to go out to the main library. So, there I was, on his lap with his arm around my waist, losing my focus every time he turned a page. And he was a fast reader.

"You don't like this arrangement?" he asked, amused.

"It's not that I don't like it," I replied, keeping my eyes on my book and ignoring the warmth in my cheeks. "I just can't concentrate, and I'm a little worried about someone walking in and seeing us like this."

He marked his place and snapped his book shut, and then he took mine and did the same. I bit my lip nervously and stared at my empty hands, wondering if he was about to destroy me with kisses again. Not that I would mind, but what he did earlier was really intense, and now that my head was clearer, I realized he'd still been holding back. He'd followed all the unspoken rules about where was safe for him to kiss and touch me, and he'd transitioned abruptly from fiery passion to soft tenderness before I had to tell him to stop. The thought of what he would be like unrestrained was almost frightening.

He caught my chin with his fingers and coaxed me into looking at his searching blue eyes. "Did I scare you?"

And I still couldn't hide anything from him.

"No. Well, not exactly. I guess it's the idea of what you could do if you wanted to that scares me," I confessed.

He brushed his thumb across my chin, just under my bottom lip. "What I want is for you to feel safe with me."

"I do, it's just...you know," I said, my eyes wandering guiltily away from him. It wasn't fair for him to have to prove himself again and again when my negative experiences got in the way, but I couldn't forget the past, no matter how much I wanted to.

He leaned in for a soft kiss. "I know," he murmured against my lips, pressing another kiss to them before he leaned back and loosened his hold on my waist. "We're going outside."

I took the cue to stand up and smooth my skirts, grateful for the change in subject. "Even though the guests are looking for me?"

"You forget how unapproachable I am to others," he replied, picking up our books and heading for the door. "Nobody will bother us."

He held the door open for me, as always, and I walked through it into the main library. A couple of people I didn't recognize turned quickly away to the shelves, as if they were only browsing, but they kept glancing back over their shoulders at me. It was almost humorous, and a little uncomfortable, too. I raised my chin and took Chevalier's arm, determined to hold my head high and play the part of a princess to perfection. He led me to the exit with a small smile of approval.

"Sariel has reviewed the schedule for tomorrow with you, correct?"

"Yes, he has," I said, taking his cue to engage in a conversation that would hopefully distract me from the curious onlookers. "I have the entire morning to get ready, although I don't know why I would need that much time, and - oh! I forgot to thank you for the dress!" I interrupted myself, beaming up at him. "It's beautiful! When did you design it?"

"At the beginning of the goodwill gala," he replied, his crystal blue eyes warm as he held the next door open for us.

"How did you know this would happen? That I'd be with you at your coronation ceremony? Did you already know I was a princess then?" I asked, the questions tumbling out of me too quickly for me to stop them.