Page 77 of A Storm in Every Heart
“I don’t really care what anyone thinks.”
“Of course you don’t, you’re a prince. But what do you think they’ll say about me?”
“What do people expect is going to happen?” I blurt out before I can stop myself. “Am I supposed to have my way with you in this boat? That would be an impressive feat of acrobatics.”
The tiniest hint of a smile appears on Odessa’s lips, but she refuses to relent. “Please, just row out from under the tree.”
“Fine.” I sigh, and pick up the oars again, moving us just beyond the cover of the willow. Odessa looks marginally pacified, though still unhappy.
“Did I do something to offend you?” I ask, as we float along the bank in plain sight of the rest of the lake.
She lets out a bark of laughter. “Was I not clear about that already?”
“Not now,” I clarify, waving her off. “I meant before. I’ve never met anyone so intent on disliking me before I even opened my mouth.”
“You certainly opened your mouth when you shouted at me in the hall.”
“I am truly sorry for that, but I can’t imagine that’s the problem. You don’t seem like the type to be scandalized so easily. I must have done something else.”
Her cheeks flush pink. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,Your Majesty.”
“Bullshit,” I blurt out without thinking.
Odessa laughs, for real this time, her entire face lighting up. She relaxes slightly, and I let out a breath. I suddenly find myself vowing to use as much foul language as I can think of in her presence if it makes her laugh.
“I don’t know why you keep seeking me out,” she says.
It’s not really an answer to my question, but she’s at least looking at me now, so I’ll take it. “I don’t like leaving debts unpaid, and I owe you a favor.”
“Oh, right, that.” She bites her lip. “Perhaps we should just call it forgiven.”
My stomach does an uncomfortable flip. If she forgives my debt, then there’s no rational excuse I can come up with to seek her out again…and that’s unacceptable. “No, I can’t accept that. You must think of something I can give you.”
“Why do you even care?” she asks, a note of accusation in her voice.
“Maybe I just like you,” I reply honestly.
Her face flames scarlet this time. “Impossible. You just met me the other day.”
“How long do you need to know someone to know if you like them?”
She thinks about it for a moment, face still flushed. “Three days. Minimum.”
“Why three?” I ask, genuinely curious to understand how her mind works.
“Well, this summit is three days—” she gestures around the lake “—that must be long enough for Prince Thorne and Princess Serena to get to know each other.”
I scowl, unable to help myself. “There’s no chance my sister will marry your prince, but I take your point. So, in three days, will you accept it if I say I like you?”
She shakes her head and looks down, once again refusing to meet my eyes. “No.”
“Why?”
“You know nothing about me, and I haven’t been exactly nice to you.”
I laugh, and row our boat a few feet to the left to avoid a pair of swans swimming past. “So you admit you’re being intentionally difficult. I must have offended you. What did I do?”
“Nothing,” she hisses, glancing around again as if searching for an escape. “But you cannot expect me to believe you truly like me, Prince Kastian. You don’t know me. Whatever you think you feel isn’t real.”
