“So because I’m first in line, you have to use my title?” he said.
“Yes!” Luci blew out an irritated breath.
It was not a difficult concept.
The prince stalked forward and braced his arms over the desk, wearing a small smirk that made her want to give him bitter herbs.
“And if I command it?” he asked.
Refusing to be intimidated, Luci leaned forward, arching her brows.
“Then I would call that an abuse of power,” she said.
He threw back his head and groaned.
“You are exhausting,” he countered. “It’s fine, though, because I have a secret weapon.”
“Oh?” Luci asked, scooping Calcifer up.
As far as weapons went, the purring cat in her arms was a formidable foe when it came to crown princes.
His laugh was rich and deep like hot cocoa on a winter night, curled up in blankets, watching the snow blanket the ground.
“I may have made a grave error when I invited you into my home. I’m certain you will show no mercy when you decide to kill me,” he laughed, scratching his face that was beginning to gain a shadow.
Luci stood, making for the door with her spoils.
“You shouldn’t joke about murdering the crown prince,” she chastised. “You are going to get me beheaded.”
Prince Ira cocked his head to the side. “Do you think we still behead people?”
Yes. In fact, she considered the possibility several times in the last few days.
“I’m going to bed,” she announced, holding Calcifer to her chest and pulling at the handle of the door.
Remarkably, her escape plan worked, and she made it about five steps with her victory before she realized she didn’t have the slightest clue where she was going. What she was not going to do, though, was ask—
“Need some help?”
She could practically hear his smirk.
Taking a long, steadying breath as she closed her eyes for a moment, she turned and tilted her head.
“Why? Do you want to hold my cat?” she asked sweetly.
There was that laugh that, beneath lantern light in a golden hall, felt more like warm tea with honey. Nope. Absolutely not.
“You are vicious, but also lost. Don’t worry, as the crown prince, I am drowning in charm and chivalry, so I will escort you.” he bowed low with his hand over his heart for emphasis.
Luci groaned. “I think I’ll just sleep in the library.”
He frowned. “Alas, my chivalry will not allow it.”
Apparently, that was the end of it because he began walking, gesturing for her to follow. Maybe she could throw Calcifer at him, though she might need to ask why Prince Ira fed him, because the beast was sound asleep, once more rumbling like a carriage over gravel. At least one of them was peaceful.
They walked past the art of fairytales, and for a second, Luci remembered what it felt like the night of the ball to be someone different. To wear a pretty dress and a mask and pretend.
There were no ball gowns or running away from nobility tonight. Now all she had was a cat and a secret.