Page 22 of The Winter Prince

Panic flooded through Zoya’s expression. “I’ll go check.” She gave another curtsy, then turned and hurried away.

Enlo smirked. He returned to the study. Kienna waited right where he had left her, shifting from foot to foot.

“It’s safe now.” He stopped beside her, offering her a conspiratorial smile. “Hurry back to your room. I’ve sent her off to the garden.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ll return soon, won’t you? The days are long and lonely in this place.”

“I will come back soon.” She gave him a hesitant smile even as she searched his face. “I’m glad I found you.”

Enlo couldn’t resist the grin that slid over his face. “As am I.”

Chapter 14

Revi

Reviwaitedinhisfrostcat form in the dining hall for Kienna to come. The servants had brought the food, warm under domed silver covers, and then left again, as usual.

There was only Revi and his thoughts. Even after all these weeks, the room still felt strangely empty without Enlo around. Not for the first time, a prickle of guilt trickled through Revi at his order for Enlo to keep away.

It had been the right decision. And, another part of him quietly admitted, now that he had seen how Kienna could smile, he found he wanted to share her with his cousin even less than before. His last visit to her dream echoed in his mind. The light brush of her fingers against his chest still burned through him. The way she had looked up at him...

If he could only see that look again. It made him believe that maybe love was possible, as fanciful as the idea was. Maybe it wouldn’t be so terrible to break the curse by marrying Kienna. He admired her already, from her bravery to her kindness. That wasn’t the same asheradmiringhim, but it was something.

And really, how hard could it be to be pleasant, to court her? He had done so before. Not courting, of course, but pleasantries. Before the curse, before his parents’ disappearance… He had made nice with courtiers. Not as well as Enlo, but he had managed. He’d had a hold on the beast once before. He could do it again.

His resolve thus strengthened, he settled his head on his paws and waited.

And waited.

Time trickled away, and still there was no sign of Kienna. Irritation at her tardiness built minute by minute.

But no. She did not seem the sort to be late for no reason.

That thought washed away the irritation with a wave of concern. He’d gone to the library in the afternoon, but she’d been absent there as well. He hadn’t thought too much of it. She didn’t visit the libraryeveryday. But now, with her current absence… Had something happened to her? But surely if something had, he would have been notified. Unless…

He pushed himself to his feet and leaped down from the sofa. It couldn’t hurt to just go check, to ensure that all was well. He was halfway across the room when the doors opened and Kienna stepped in, her cheeks flushed a rosy hue and her breath slightly ragged as if she had hurried.

He stopped abruptly. “My lady.”

Kienna’s gaze landed on him, and she dropped into a curtsy, her expression falling into a careful mask. “I apologize for my tardiness.”

“It’s no matter.” He drew in a deep breath, nostrils flaring as he checked the air. There was no scent of blood. No sign of injury. Still, something seemed off. Kienna stood before him, quietly agitated. He had not seen her so since her first week here.

“Are you all right?” he asked, the question feeling awkward.

“Of course.” The smile she gave him was stiff—cold, even. An edge of sweat tinged her scent. Her pulse moved a tick faster.

Was she…lyingto him?

“Did something happen?”

Her pulse jumped again. “Of course not. What would give you that idea?” She brushed past him, skirting him by several paces. She took her seat with a stiff posture. “I’m famished.”

He turned and padded after her, tail twitching behind him. Despite her protests, there was clearly something wrong. And Revi did not appreciate being lied to. It was a strange sensation, one he had rarely experienced in his life. He didn’t want it to become familiar now.

Kienna plucked the domes off their plates and started eating with gusto.

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