Page 21 of The Winter Prince

He tilted his head and gave her another lazy smile. “Are there any other expectations you had of me that I don’t live up to?”

“I... I...” She stumbled over her words, a blush rising prettily to her face. He wanted to laugh. Weeks Revi’d had with her, and she hadn’t even been in the same room as Enlo for five minutes before she was blushing.

She took a small step away as she gathered her courage and her words. “I wasn’t expecting to find you in a study.”

“No?” Enlo asked. “Where did you expect to find me?”

She looked around the room. “A dungeon. Somewhere less pleasant, at least. Imprisoned somehow.”

Enlo let slip a surprised, bitter chuckle. “You don’t have to be grimy and behind metal bars to be imprisoned, sweet flower.”

She recoiled. “Don’t.” She drew herself straight, less sharp but no less firm. “Please don’t call me that.”

Enlo’s brows rose. “Call you sweet, or a flower?”

“Either.” She looked away as pain flashed across her expression.

Interesting. She wasn’t a woman who wanted pretty pet names. Or him getting too close into her space, going by how she’d moved away. He filed both details away.

“You’re right,” she said softly. “Beautiful things can trap you too.”

Enlo gave a hum of agreement, too busy studying her to formulate a worded response. She wore a summer dress today, just like she did most days now, this one in a soft green that complimented her eyes. It would be impossible to miss the sadness that lingered there.

“Kienna,” he said, drawing her gaze back up to him and smiling with all the charm he possessed. “Are you happy here?”

She frowned at the question. “How—”

“Kienna?” a voice called, distant. Zoya.

He reached for Kienna’s hands, testing the waters. “You must go. Come find me again soon. I spend much of my time here.”

Her eyes widened, and she nodded.

“And you must swear not to tell anyone of this. If the beast were to learn that you had spoken with me...” He trailed off, letting her mind provide any implications.

Fear flickered in her gaze. “I promise.”

He shook his head. “No, you must swear it in the way of the Elyri.Tyshin dereht. Say it with your name at the beginning.”

“Kienna tyshin dereht,” she repeated, only slightly stumbling over the pronunciation. Her practice had served her well. A tinge of magic tugged from Enlo as it wrapped around her, sealing her vow.

Zoya called again, making Kienna’s head whip around toward the door.

“Stay here,” Enlo murmured. “I will send her away and give you time to slip back to your room.”

He brushed past her and stepped out of the study. At the sight of him, Zoya dropped into a curtsy.

“My lord,” she said in Elyri. “I’m sorry. I was just looking for Lady Kienna.”

“This is hardly where she tends to spend her time,” he said, giving Zoya a melting smile. “Have you checked the garden?”

“Yes… but I can check again.”

“Perhaps she wandered from her usual routes,” he suggested. “She doesn’t go near the frostroses, does she?”

Zoya’s eyes widened. “Not usually.”

“Good. If the prince found her there, there’s no telling what he would do.”

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