I'm so thrown off by his presence that every shred of royal protocol evaporates. The second I realize I've forgotten to bow, I panic.
“I-I’m so sorry, Your Highness.” I stoop quickly, an easy gesture in the slim black servant dress I'm wearing. It might not be as appealing as the simple gowns I wore back home, but it's much more convenient. Less fabric, less layers. The leather maroon bands around my wrists, the mark of a servant, are the only things I could do without. They’re a bit uncomfortable. “I meant no disrespect, I was just flustered because I’ve been wandering these halls forever?—”
“Rise, please.” His tone is unbothered as he cuts me off, and when I stand to meet his gaze again, there’s a curious gleam in his eyes. An uptick at the corner of his lipless mouth.
Is he…amused?I don't know him well enough to be sure, but I think so. One of his faint brows rises as he looks me over.
“You don’t have to worry about rules like that with me,” he explains, keeping his voice low as his eyes sweep the hall to ensure we’re still alone. “I’m not like the rest of my family.”
My lips part, but no words come out. I’m not even sure what to say.
Royal protocol and etiquette has been crammed down my throat since I was child. To behave otherwise, to break the rules… Besides, what if he’s just baiting me to see what I’ll do?
Maybe he wants me to break the rules so I’ll get in trouble. I have no idea why he’d do that, but I also have no idea why he wouldn’t.
I swallow hard. “Forgive me, Your Highness.”
His head cants to the side, and my eyes track back to his horns. They aren’t just a part of him, they’re weapons, and he could easily run someone through with them.
At the thought, goosebumps raise on my arms, and my gaze shifts back to his. I’m probably already breaking one of the countless rules I’ve yet to learn about holding eye contact with a prince for too long, but I can’t help it. I can’t look away.
An awkward moment of silence passes between us, during which my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I might have dared to hope I could get Oryx alone, but I hadn't been insane enough to think about what I'd say to him.
Now, all I can do is shift awkwardly as my heart pounds harder.
“Where are you headed?” he asks.
“Th-the kitchen.”
His features contort into a curious expression. “The kitchen?”
I nod hurriedly. “Princess Irissa isn’t feeling well and asked me to fetch her lunch.” I spew the alibi I practiced a dozen times on my way here. “I thought I remembered the way, but I… clearly forgot.”
“How unfortunate,” he says, then steps around me, gesturing down the hall with a jerk of his horns. “Well, come on. I’ll show you the way.”
Two
Lizette
My jaw falls slack as I watch him walk away, nerves turning into butterflies in my stomach. I can't believe my luck—the fact that Oryx found me lost in the halls is chance enough—but now I'll be able to steal a few moments alone with him.
I swallow down the giddy energy bubbling through me and hurry after him.
Heart slamming against my ribs, I fall in step just behind him, the way servants are instructed to. If we are accompanying a royal, we must never walk at their side, because we’re not their equals. We can only walk in front of them if we’ve been instructed to lead. Directly behind is preferable, but I want to be able to hear the low rumble of his voice if he speaks again, so I stay back and just to his left.
“What's your name?”
It takes me a second to remember that there’s no one else in the hall. Oryx isn't talking to another royal or a guard. He's talking tome.
Nerves make my throat tight. “Lizette. But Irissa calls me Liz.”
He stops and turns, and I stumble to a halt. I should avert my eyes or keep them low, but they wander up to his face instead. “What should I call you?”
“Whatever you prefer, Your Majesty.” I dip my head a little without breaking eye contact. It feels dangerous, like I’m breaking the rules, but I can’t help myself. If this is my only chance to be this close to him, I plan to soak in every detail that I can.
It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.
“That isn't what I asked.” He pauses for a beat, and I swallow hard. “And please… call me Oryx. I'm not one for titles.”