Page 25 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

“Rise, my lady,” the King said. “And welcome. You have brightened the ballroom.”

As Cinderella rose, he heard footsteps. When he looked up, he found the King and Prince standing before him.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Cinderella said as she took the King's hand and let him help her stand. “You've been very kind already. What with bringing me to the head of the presentation line.”

“A woman of your beauty should not have to wait, Lady Cinderella.” The King placed Cinderella's hand into Prince Leovar's.

The Prince sighed but bowed over Cinderella's hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”

“And you as well, Your Highness.”

“My son is eager to dance with you.” The King clapped twice.

People were milling about the center of the ballroom, but as music began to play, they drew to the sides. The King grinned and returned to his throne as the Prince escorted Cinderella onto the cleared area of the ballroom floor.

“I'm sorry about my father.” Leo put his free hand on Cinderella's waist and lifted the hand he held. “He can be a bit pushy.”

“It's all right.” Cinderella focused on following the Prince's lead through the steps. “I'm used to pushy people. To be honest, Your Highness, I didn't want to come tonight.”

That got the Prince's attention. He focused on Cinderella. And then he frowned, looking closer at his face. “You didn't?”

“No. I'm not inclined toward marriage.” It was the speech Nevan had helped Xander with. The one they decided would hook Leo.

“You're not?” Leo certainly looked hooked. He cleared his throat. “Uh, I know that we've only just met, but . . . no. Let's get to know each other a little better first. My lady, if we are compatible, I think we could form a sort of partnership.”

“Can my new partner escort me elsewhere?” Cinderella asked. “I hate dancing.”

The Prince laughed boisterously, earning the shocked stare of every person in the room. His father's, in particular.

“I hate it as well,” Leo said. “At least, this sort of dancing. But I love your candor. Come with me, my lady.” He took Cinderella's hand and shocked everyone further by escorting her out of the ballroom.

No one barred their path. The attendants only bowed or opened doors for them. Soon, they were away from the glittering ballroom and all of its noble occupants. The sound lowered to a dull thumping, and Cinderella took a deep breath.

“Better?” Leo asked.

“Much,” Cinderella said.

“Would you like to sit in the garden?” The Prince waved at a door.

“Yes, that sounds lovely.”

Leovar opened the door and ushered Lady Cinderella through.

Cool air hit Cinderella's flushed skin, reviving him.

Here was the man he was fighting for—the reason for his subterfuge.

He had to play this right. But it was Leo.

Cinderella couldn't help but relax a little.

He was still Xander under the glamour. Still a he, not a she. He just couldn't let Leo know that.

“How about over here?” Leo motioned at a stone bench.

“Yes, that will do.” Cinderella sat down, and his skirts billowed ridiculously. “Ugh, these stupid skirts!” He smacked them without thinking. He had lowered his guard too much. Realizing his mistake immediately, Cinderella looked at the Prince in horror.

But the Prince was laughing again. He pushed down Cinderella's skirts and made room for himself on the bench. “They are a little silly.”

“Aren't they?” Cinderella smiled. “I'm sorry. I'm not a very good duch—I mean, lady.”

“You don't have to pretend with me.” Leo took Cinderella's hand. “I've already heard that you're a duchess, but you don't want to be announced in case I don't choose you.”

Cinderella pouted. “My family would not be pleased.”

“Neither would mine.” Leo chuckled. “I think my father is already imagining what our children will look like.”

“Children. Yes. Children.”

“Do you not want them?”

“No, it's not that. I don't mind kids. It's just that they're a duty for me, not a choice.” He grimaced. “You know how it is. We have very few choices.”

“Yes, I've had to come to terms with that recently.” Leovar went still, staring at Cinderella.

At last, he said, “Everything is a duty, isn't it?

Sometimes, I wake up with this heavy feeling on my chest. It's as if all of my responsibilities have come together during the night and condensed into a boulder to press down on me. I can't breathe under the weight.”

“What do you do?” Cinderella whispered.

Leo shrugged and let go of Cinderella's hand. “I sit up and force air into my lungs. I remind myself of all I have. Nothing is free, not even for a prince.” He looked at Cinderella. “Especially not for those of us who bear titles, am I right?”

“Yes, you're right. We pay more dearly than anyone else for our needs to be met.”

“Need.” Leo nodded. “I have needs that are different from other men.”

“I see. Are you speaking sexually?”

Leovar gaped at Cinderella.

“Was that too forward? I'm so sorry.”

“No, not at all! I was just surprised. Uh . . . yes, I mean sexually.” Leovar ran a hand over his face.

“I'm relieved, to tell the truth.” He looked at Cinderella.

“I can hardly believe that we're speaking so easily about such matters.” His gaze coasted over Cinderella's face.

“I feel so comfortable with you. It's as if we've known each other for months, not hours.”

“I am not your usual duchess. And you are not an average prince. I feel comfortable with you as well.”

“Thank you.” He pushed back and turned so he was facing Cinderella. “What do you want? I mean, we both have to marry, but what would you want from a husband?”

“If I could choose, I would like someone with whom I could be friends, but who would also give me the freedom to live my own life.”

“Dear God!” Leovar shot to his feet. “I think you're the perfect woman for me! ”

“Really?”

“Yes. It's as if you were sent here in answer to my heart's desire.” He knelt before Cinderella and took her hand. “I am not interested in women. I am a lover of men.”

Cinderella nodded. “I am too.”

“You don't have an issue with that?”

“No, I don't. It works better for me.”

“Good.” Leovar grinned. “What do you say to an agreement? A pact?”

“What will be our pact?”

“We will be friends, good friends, and I will go to your bed only when necessary. I will need to bring a lover with me, but you will not have to be with him. I will only . . .”

“Finish in me?”

Leovar blinked. “Yes. Yes, thank you for being so . . . well, for making this easier. It would be the only way I could, uh, finish. In that manner, we could have a child. That would satisfy our duty to our titles, and it would make our parents happy. Then, we could raise the child together. But our lives will be our own. You may take lovers and even keep one in the royal apartments if you wish. I would never get in the way of your dreams or desires. In fact, I will help you if I can.”

“I could take lovers?”

“Yes. And I will have someone too.”

“Only one?” Cinderella's heart sped up again.

“Yes.” Leo stood and looked up at the moon.

“I am in love, you see? I can't exist without him.” Leo's hand trembled as he slid it over his face.

“Sometimes, I can't remember what my life was like before him.

It's all just a dark blur. So dull. Without any substance to it.

And then I met Xander. I thought he'd be another conquest, but no one can conquer Xander.” Leo smiled, his gaze sliding back to Cinderella.

“He is the most incredible man. When I'm with him, none of this matters.

I don't feel that weight. He takes it from me.

Carries it on those broad shoulders. And he doesn't even realize that he does it.” He shook his head and chuckled.

“Listen to me. Going on about a man who will be more my husband than you will be my wife. I'm so sorry.”

“Not at all.” A tear slipped down Cinderella's cheek. He swiped it away before his lover could see it. “I'm so happy for you. It sounds as if you've found a rare bond.”

“I have! And I can't lose him.” Leo made a frustrated sound. “I've been terrible to him. I don't want to be, but I have all of this hanging over me.” He waved at the castle. “I don't know what to do. I'm afraid he won't accept an arrangement like this. And then I'll . . . I will never recover.”

“It's a lot—an entire kingdom. I understand why you won't choose him over it.”

Leovar gaped at Cinderella. “After all I just said, you think I wouldn't?”

“If you would, we wouldn't be discussing a fake marriage.”

“I thought you understood. It's not that I wouldn't give up the status and wealth for him.

I'd do that in a fucking heartbeat. It's my family.

As much as my father is a pain in the ass, I still love him.

If I gave up the crown for a servant, it would destroy him in many ways.

He'd lose me and his control of the kingdom.” Leo let out a shaky breath.

“I can't do that to him. He's my father.”

Cinderella stared at his lover. At last, he did understand. And he felt even worse for the game he was playing. The lies he had fed Leo.

“I do understand that. But we must be true to ourselves, Leovar. We are of our parents, but not them. You are not responsible for what happens to your father.”

“Are you saying that I should abandon him and be with Xander?”

“No. I'm saying that you must do what your heart tells you is right, not what your head says is your duty. Believe me, I know that's hard. But I think we can both follow our hearts without hurting our parents if we form this partnership.”

Leo grinned. “I agree.”

“I promise not to stand in your way with Xander, if you will make me the same promise about my lovers.”

“I will. I do!” He snatched Cinderella's hand again. “I promise that we will be as happy as we can in our marriage. Do you accept my offer?”

“One more thing, Prince Leovar.” Cinderella stood up. “I want you to promise me that no matter what happens between us, we will forgive each other. I cannot marry you under such an arrangement only to have something I say or do upset you and you turn on me.”

“That won't happen. I swear it.”

Cinderella smiled, hiding the bitterness he felt for deceiving his lover. “Very well then. We are partners.” With that vow sealing their fate, Cinderella shook the Prince's hand.