Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“I will return in a couple of hours to ready your bath,” Florence murmured as she withdrew a set of burgundy-red silk pajamas from a nearby bureau and set them on the end of the bed. “Would you like me to call the valet who attended you last time to help you change?”
“No, I can manage on my own. Thank you.”
Florence bobbed a quick curtsy and hurried from the room, leaving Hugo alone. He wandered over to the bed and ran his hand along the pajamas. They were buttery soft and of higher quality than anything he’d ever owned in his life. The chambers were breathtaking. And Everand was one room away. This visit to the palace felt very different from his last one. It also felt like Everand heavily influenced the welcoming side of things rather than his mother. Would the queen have dared to put Hugo so close to her son if Everand hadn’t interfered? Probably not. Her earlier matchmaking stunt was likely an attempt to remind Everand that he needed to look for a husband, not that she was endorsing Hugo for that role.
And it was possible that introducing them had backfired for her. Was there any chance in the world that she could accept him as a husband for her princely son?
Hugo scoffed at his silly thoughts. What he needed right now was some sleep. Afterward, he could figure out how he was going to tell Ev and his mother about this magic nonsense.
Something was tickling his nose.
Hugo tried to bat it away and return to sleep, but a low chuckle and slight shift in the bed had him bolting upright. He wasn’t alone. He blinked awake, his heart leaping into his throat. In the dim gaslight, he found Everand lying next to him, his head on the neighboring pillow and a beautiful, mischievous smile gracing his lips.
“Ev!” Hugo gasped. “I mean, Your Highness.”
“No, you were right the first time.” The prince popped up and cupped Hugo’s face, pulling him in for a sweet kiss. Those perfect soft lips moved across his mouth, coaxing him to relax. Hugo sank into that warmth, that perfect touch, forgetting about everything except the simple joy of being with Everand again. His joy was a palpable thing between them, like a sweet drop of candy rolling on his tongue.
Even after Everand broke off the kiss, he continued to hold Hugo’s face, brushing their lips together and rubbing the tip of his nose against Hugo’s. He was a cat who couldn’t get enough affection. “I’m going to say something dreadfully embarrassing. I hope you won’t think less of me.”
“Doubtful. What is it?” Hugo pressed a kiss to the corner of Ev’s mouth, not wanting this moment to end.
“I missed you. Even though it was only a few days, I missed you.”
Those simple words gave Hugo’s heart wings. He felt as if he could fly around the room. “I missed you too.”
Everand hummed happily. “Then we need to make the most of our time together. You’re not allowed to leave my side for the next couple of days. We’re going to get you ready for the ball in grand fashion. We’ll go riding, and I’ll have our chefs stuff you with the best food you’ve ever tasted. At the ball, we’ll have a wonderful time. We’ll dance and sip champagne. Everyone will marvel at the handsome man at my side.”
But the prince’s elaborate plans became buzzing in Hugo’s ears. Hugo had gotten caught on his first sentence.
…make the most of our time together.
This was all temporary. It was clear the queen saw that his value was in a magical skill he didn’t actually possess. If he was going to be worthy of a prince, he had to prove himself. And the first step was telling the truth.
“Wait, no. We can’t.” Hugo pulled free of Everand and rolled out of the bed. He couldn’t have this conversation wrapped in silk pajamas and seated in the world’s most comfortable bed. Not when Everand was looking at him like he’d hung the moon in the sky. Everand trusted him.
He spotted a robe neatly folded on the bureau and pulled it on. Only after he’d tied the sash with trembling hands could he face the prince. Everand had climbed off the mattress and was leaning against one of the canopy posts, his left arm loosely draped on it.
“What’s wrong? I thought you wanted to spend time together. Even better if we’re not running for our lives.”
“I do. Gods, I do,” Hugo half moaned. He wanted nothing more than to live in a perfect daydream with Everand for a day or two. “But I need to speak with your mother. Can you get me an audience with her? She refused to see me earlier. Please help me.”
Everand’s smooth brow wrinkled, and he huffed out a laugh that sounded awkward. “If you’re planning to ask for my hand in marriage, that conversation is usually held with my father. Not my mother.”