Page 9

CHAPTER 9

Korven

“And what was the last book you read, Duke Broughford?” My quill was ready, poised above the imbecile’s name. One more idiotic thing from his mouth, and he’d be gone from the scroll and out the door.

“M-my last book?” A bead of sweat broke down his forehead and he reached into the pocket of his burgundy vest, pulling a handkerchief monogrammed with an enormous B embroidered in delicate flowers. One his mother likely sewed for him. “I-I don’t remember the title, Prince Korven, but...but the subject was”—he cleared his throat and wiped his forehead—“hunting. Yes, yes, it was a book about hunting pheasants.”

I took a sidelong glance at Seraphine beside me. Her arms were folded at her chest and her feet tapped in irritation, falling through the floor of the tower room continuously. Her adorable little nose scrunched upwards while her lips pulled into a clear frown. She wasn’t impressed and neither was I.

“Are you telling me, Duke Broughford,” I began, “that the last book you read was about killing birds?” I shifted my wings, reminding him of what I was.

“N-no! I swear it was just a book I looked through! I-I didn’t even really read any of the words—just looked at the pictures!”

I hid a chuckle. “So, you’re telling me the last book you read was a picture book, Duke Broughford?”

“It wasn’t—I was?—”

“I’ve heard enough.” I scratched his name off the scroll. “You are excused.”

The man looked relieved and as he turned to open the door, Seraphine exhaled, her shoulders relaxing slightly.

“He was worse than the last,” she mumbled, lifting her hands to her face. “Who are these men?”

“Bachelors of the Burrow, darling.” I sighed myself and then laughed, remembering how Sir Bristleshaft did not like my joke about his name.

She leaned towards me, looking over the list. “How many are left?”

“Three. Then we’ll be free until the Hare can give us more tomorrow.”

She sighed heavily. “I’m not sure this is going to work.” Her eyes narrowed at the crimson door with more men waiting just outside for their turn to enter.

“We had to start somewhere. And I don’t trust Urik to solve this problem.” I paused for a moment, carefully watching her reaction to my next words. “Fiola said he must be the one who loves you most. She didn’t say you have to love him back.”

She turned to face me instantly. “What are you saying? I should be focused on who I think could love me and less on whom I could love?”

My wings ruffled of their own accord. “Perhaps.”

She shifted back to stare at the bright red door. “Who could love me most...” She gave a nod. “Alright. Bring the next one in.”

I stood and stretched, flaring my wings wide and reaching my arms up over my head. She stared up at me with those violet eyes of hers and smiled softly.

I felt the side of my mouth tilt upwards, but it didn’t matter what her eyes said or what summersaults my heart did as she watched me. She had three more gentlemen to meet, and I had a curse to help her break.