Uncharted - A My Sweet Prince Novel (2)

Spitfire

I waste no time in finding a seat, a plush chair beside a large window with a gorgeous view. Chezem watches me for a moment before claiming the chair beside mine. "I love this view," I tell him.

He smiles. "As do I." He turns in his seat and looks out the window. "It is easy to get lost in thought up here."

"Do that often?" I ask carefully, watching his face. His eyebrows pull down and his lips purse tightly.

"I have duties I must tend to," he says. "Things that need doing. The life of a prince is not always fun and games." I feel almost as if he is scolding me, and I feel a little color rise into my cheeks.

"Of course," I say, grabbing the nearest book to me and opening to the first page. "Pardon me," I say quietly, but with force.

Chezem sighs and stands. "I will leave you to it then."

He starts to walk away and I glance up, watching him. He pauses at the door and looks back, catching me staring. "Thank you," I blurt. He tilts his head to one side. "For showing me the library."

"Ah," he says, blinking slowly. "My pleasure." He opens the door and I hear him give a hefty sigh. "As much as I understand spending hours in here, do try not to get too lost. We must still show you to your room and Asaka will want you to join us for dinner."

He disappears, and I think about the book that is in my hands. It is a fantasy novel, probably full of danger and mystery, a damsel in distress, and a handsome hero who saves her. They probably fall in love. As exciting as that all is, I can't help but think that I'm sort of living in a fantasy all my own. My best friend is becoming the Queen of a very large country and marrying a King - whom she adores - at the same time. I'm in a castle with princes at every turn and a friendly butler. Who knows what sort of things I can expect in the coming weeks. I place the book aside and stand. There will be time for reading later. For now, reality seems a little better.

I scurry across the room after Chezem and step out into the hallway. He is nowhere to be seen and I pout slightly, standing with hands on hips. "No fair," I say aloud. "I don't know my way around."

"I can help."

The voice is behind me and startles me so badly I nearly scream. I whirl around and come close to mowing Melchiorre over. He smiles mischievously at me and takes my hand in his. He brings it to his lips and kisses the inside of my wrist delicately. I feel my face heat in a blush and I try to remove my hand.

"Where are you headed?" he asks me, tightening his hold slightly.

I wrack my brain, trying to figure out how to get myself out of whatever situation he is trying to get me into, and force a smile. I've heard all about his tricks from Asaka. "The ballroom," I say easily, thinking I can get him off my trail with a little lie.

He quirks an eyebrow. "What for?"

I shrug one shoulder and slide my hand free of his. "Dancing," I say. "Asaka told me about this big dance number that happens at the wedding reception. All of you princes have to do this choreographed dance and since I'm the Maid of Honor, I'm going to have to learn it."

Mel lights up. "I love dancing," he says. "I shall accompany you."

Great. Not exactly what I had in mind, but I suppose it can't be helped. I've heard all about Melchiorre and his stubborn ways. His womanizing ways. I'll be sure to keep a close eye on this one. He leads me to the ballroom, chatting casually about an array of things. I tune him out for the most part, nodding whenever needed. We arrive at the ballroom and I step into the room, surprised to find that most of the princes are in attendance. Asaka glances over and sees me and she grins.

"Lina!" she calls, and hurries across the room. Melchiorre steps away from me and kisses her cheek brotherly before joining the others. "I thought you were with Chezem?"

"I was," I say. "He showed me the library."

"Oh, he must be lost in a book," Asaka says, shaking her head.

"No," I say, surprising her. "He actually left me there to read. I decided to come explore, but he was already gone. That's when Prince Melchiorre found me and we came here."

Asaka shoots a look at Mel over her shoulder and shakes her head. "What am I going to do with him?" She turns back to face me and smiles. "Anyway, I'm glad you're here, actually. Lambert, Nagit, and Alvah are horrible dancers." She laughs. "And I'm not much better. I need someone to teach them, but our dance instructor got sick and can't make it."

"You want me to teach them how to dance?" I ask, bewildered.

She nods her head excitedly. "Yes! You are such a good dancer, Lina. You've got all the artistic talent!"

I stare at her blankly until Jun walks up and puts his hand on her shoulder. "Did you break her?" he asks.

I shake my head, color rising in my cheeks. "No," I say. "No, no, no, absolutely not." I turn and see Chezem standing in the doorway, watching me. I stare at him for a moment, feeling my entire body blush.

"Lina?" Asaka asks. "Are you okay?"

"You just can't put me on the spot like that, Asaka. I need time to prepare." I watch Chezem walk into the room and can't help but notice how graceful he is in his movements. "I bet he's a good dancer - or a fast learner."

Jun laughs outright. "Chezem? I don't think I've ever even seen him try to dance. Let alone with a woman."

"Great! Then it's settled. You'll teach the princes to dance. Especially Chezem - since you two will be dancing together at the reception," Asaka says with a grin.

I glare at her. "Stop."

She smiles innocently. "Stop what?"

"I am not stupid, Asaka. Stop. Stop playing matchmaker. He's a prince, for Christ's sake." Her smile wilts. "And I'm hardly a princess." I turn away from her. "I'm not feeling very well, either. Ask Melchiorre to do it."

I am walking away from her and I hear Jun mutter something under his breath. I stop and whirl around. "What did you just say?" I demand sharply.

Everyone in the room looks at me. I feel my temperature rising and I ball my hands into fists. Jun looks at me and shrugs one shoulder. "I asked what the hell is your problem?"

"My problem?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"Stop it!" Asaka cries, covering her face with her hands. "You're not supposed to fight!"

Because she is my best friend, and she loves him, I let out a breath. "Sorry," I say, deciding to be the bigger person. "Just...you know me, Asaka. All fire and attitude - zero to one hundred in the blink of an eye." I rub my forehead and sigh loudly. "Alright, fine. Give me a partner to show me the steps and I'll teach them the rest."

Asaka beams and runs over to give me a hug. "We'll talk later," she whispers to me.

"I figured as much," I whisper back, giving her a squeeze.

We step away from each other and Asaka waves Melchiorre over. "Teach Lina the steps - she's a fast learner."

Mel grins at me and I feel my stomach flip. I have this strange feeling that I'm a fly and he's the spider, and I'm caught in his trap. He takes my hand and I glare at Asaka as he leads me out onto the floor.

^^^

Okay, guys, so I am having a bit of a hard time writing this one, but not for the reasons you might think. I know exactly where I want this story to go and I'm so excited to get there. The problem is getting there. I know what Chezem and Lina can be, and I can't wait to let them be that, but we have to get to know each other first and of course Mel has to cause some trouble - it's what he's best at. So, keep reading and I'll do my best to keep posting. I just don't want to make things go too fast. XOXO Jennifer