Page 11 of Enamored
I tried not to think on Rasmus’s strange commands regarding the princess while I memorized the intricate language on the scroll, which I soon realized was an early form of cuneiform. Even though I was already versed in Sumero-Akkadian cuneiform syllabary, I had to maintain my focus if I had any hope of learning the symbols and being able to read the script on the Sword of the Magi by the time day broke.
As dawn started to lighten the sky, I labored feverishly. Thankfully, I’d learned various methods for rapid memorization over the years and could quickly retain information. I pieced together the translation:For a worthy king.
I didn’t have time to contemplate the meaning as I gathered up the scroll and headed out of my chamber into the tower stairway. With a sense of urgency prodding me to return to Rasmus’s chamber, I descended the steps two and three at a time. A door swung open, and before I could halt, I collided with someone stepping into the stairwell.
The force of my body knocked the person—a woman—into the wall. My momentum propelled me against her, and I grabbed her arms to steady her.
“My apologies—” My words froze at the sight of startling green eyes—green the color of a moorland meadow, green that belonged to only one woman.
Hastily, I released her, backed up, and bowed my head. “Your Royal Highness. I didn’t realize anyone else would be walking about. Please forgive me.”
She said nothing. But even with my head bowed, I could feel her gaze upon me. What did she think of me? Especially after the way I’d avoided her thus far.
Rasmus had indicated my behavior was cold. If I was completely honest with myself, I knew he was right. I had been rude to her. For no reason other than my own self-protection. It wasn’t her fault I’d always cared about her more than I should. Though I feared caring for her again, I couldn’t punish her for my weakness.
Based on the friendship we’d once shared, at the very least, she deserved my kindness and respect for this reunion after so many years apart.
“Your Royal Highness, I—” Rasmus’s commands also pressed to the front of my mind—the commands to enamor her, seek her out at every opportunity, and make her fall in love with me. “I beg you to forgive me for earlier, for not renewing our acquaintance more properly.”
She remained silent.
I couldn’t do as Rasmus ordered. Fostering such familiarity with the princess was out of the question, wasn’t it?
Yet how could I refuse him? If I deviated even slightly from what he’d requested, he’d find many miniscule ways to make my life miserable. Not only that, but he’d likely obliterate my ambitions and carefully laid plans for the future.
The simple truth was that I needed Rasmus as my ally and not my enemy.
I lifted my head and cocked it to the side, making a show of studying her, as if I hadn’t yet had the time or desire, although I’d had both. “When I left, you were but a child. You have grown and changed much.”
She cocked her head—clearly imitating my move—and studied me in return. “Who has changed more, Maxim? You or I?” Neither her eyes nor voice held any warmth. Had I already ruined my chances at connecting with her? I would have to labor diligently to ingratiate myself with her.
But the very idea of ingratiating myself was both frustrating and humiliating. I had more important matters needing my attention than winning over the princess. And for what? What exactly did Rasmus intend to prove by thrusting me back into the princess’s life? Did he hope to make the chosen noblemen jealous? Would they work harder at wooing her?
Her hair hung in unfettered waves over her shoulders, falling nearly to her waist. The glow from my candle highlighted the golden sheen, turning the waves to satin. Though her hair wasn’t yet styled, she was already dressed for the day in a lovely gown cinched at her slender waist with a belt. The velvet bodice fit snuggly, outlining a womanly form that indeed showed her to be very much changed.
I let my lips curve into a slightly off-center grin. Over recent years, I’d perfected the smile—had learned I could wield my good looks like a chisel to mold maidens into doing my bidding. Not that I’d spent much time in the company of women. I’d only done so on occasion with my friends. However, I easily understood my power.
But here... now... I didn’t seem to have any sway over the princess and didn’t cause her to smile back. If anything, her beautiful eyes turned colder.
“Who has changed more?” I repeated her question lightly but with a touch of flirtation. “We have not been reacquainted more than a few minutes, and you’re already giving me a riddle to solve?”
“’Tis no riddle.” Her chin jutted, lending her an imperial look, reminding me she would someday be queen of Norvegia and my sovereign.
One thing was becoming abundantly clear. I had offended her with my lack of warmth earlier. And now she was angry with me.
“I have changed more.” I dropped my tone and infused it with contrition. “I’ve been away from court life too long and have become as uncouth as a boar.”
Her fingers clutched at her skirt, and she remained pressed to the wall. Where were her ladies? Her guards? She oughtn’t be out of her chambers alone lest trouble befall her. She might collide with a ruffian who would think nothing of causing her ill will.
Perhaps I had become a ruffian now that I was at Rasmus’s beckoning. Was I the one who would ultimately bring her ill will? I loathed the thought. I couldn’t—wouldn’t—harm her. Never.
I glanced up and then down the stairwell. As far as I could tell, we were still alone. Did I dare tell her the truth, that I was afraid to resume a friendship with her, that losing her once had been unbearable and I couldn’t go through such pain again?
And what about telling her the truth about Rasmus’s strange command to spend time with her and win her love? Did I dare mention it?
The young boy I’d once been would have confided everything. But I was no longer so naïve.“The path is made by walking”as the old saying went. Even though my journey had been difficult, I’d grown more careful with each step, learning that trust was not so easily earned.
The memory of the morn of my departure ten years ago shifted to the front of my mind. I’d stepped into the schoolroom I shared with Elinor, a solar in the private royal chambers. A cozy room filled with all variety of books—geography, science, mathematics, history, languages, logic, politics, and more. Maps and charts were tacked to the walls. Three-dimensional models of the solar system, a skeleton of the human body, jars of dried insects, and so much more filled the room, supplying Elinor and me with much delight during the hours we spent learning and experimenting and soaking in knowledge.
