Cursed

It's Complicated

"What? You're questioning my being attacked?" Stephanie asked Dominic. He wouldn't look at her. She didn't want to look at him but her emotions would not let logic win. She kept her eyes clamped to his pacing form.

"No," Dominic said firmly, finally daring a look at her. He stepped closer. "I'm questioning my letting you go," he whispered.

Stephanie sucked in a breath as she caught his scent. No, I won't give in to him. "You made your decision," she said sharply, turning her back to him.

Silence pulsed through the chamber. She felt his eyes burning into her back, probing her form. He was waiting for her to speak. She stood firm.

After a long aching pause, she heard his voice in a clear cadence, "How can I prove to you that it was mistake and that it wasn't at my doing? In fact, I think it was all a..."

"What?" Stephanie finally turned to him, eyes round, suddenly intent on knowing the truth.

Prince Dominic just stood there, his blank gaze focused steadily on her. She could see sincerity and hurt in his eyes, but it was unforgiveable; especially if he couldn't even be honest with her now.

Shaking her head, Stephanie turned away to break eye contact with him. "It is too late, Dominic. I'm considering moving into town and taking a job with a shopkeeper."

Dominic shook his head. "No," he said as he began a pace the room, brow furrowed. He stopped abruptly then turned to her, eyes bright. "A mistress!"

"What?" Stephanie asked, taken aback and extremely confused by his unexpected response. What on earth was he talking about?

"Yes. That's it!" he said, flashing an elated smile, dimples digging into his cheeks and his green eyes flashing, both of which sunk her resolve. Damn him. "If we wait a little while longer, perhaps you can become my official mistress. Then, once I become king I can give you back your lands and title."

Stephanie stared blankly, incensed by how excited and happy he seemed. It reminded her of a boy on Christmas morning. Only a prince would think such a thing might turn to a happy solution for someone of only noble rather than royal birth. "Listen," she said, her tone firm. "I am helping your wife this one time, and after that, you will find yourself painfully lucky to catch a glimpse of me in town."

"What? In town?" he asked, his voice incredulous. Had he even been listening to her?

"Yes. As I said, I am thinking of taking a job in a shop," Stephanie replied, looking at him squarely in the eye.

Dominic's brow knitted together in utter confusion. His mouth opened and closed a few times before her uttered, "And how will you ever get your title back then?"

It was true if she moved away, she would have to give her dream up, but what other choice did she have? More than her lands and titles back, she wanted dignity. Finding a respectable job in town might give her that, even after such a blight as the attack would give her if what happened to her became public knowledge to the masses. She was sure the servants knew that she'd had a wretched knight of wailing and all manner of things and that she had stayed with her former stepsister that night. But they also knew that she'd been summoned to take a room adjacent to the princess's quarters and they also knew that she was not just a servant. They would not spread a word of gossip about her unless the specifically knew about the attack.

"I'll be going now," she said. "Good night, sweet prince," she said, trying to swallow the spite that threatened to escape but failing.

Stephanie exited the chambers, feeling Dominic's eyes on her the entire time. Was it something she understood searing through the heat of his gaze? Was that regret? No, it couldn't be. And even if it was. It didn't matter. It was too late.