Page 15 of Gifted to the Alien Prince
"Your voice," I let my words drift down to him. "It's amazing."
A very visible red flush crept up his neck to clash with the cool blue of his skin. "You heard that?"
"Hard not to," I admitted. "It carries well. Good to see you back.”
He nodded, his jaw tightening as though he already knew I was going to ask where he’d been. “I had things to attend to.” The words were clipped, a deflection I’d heard before.
I rested my hands on the cold stone if the balcony. As I moved the rustle of the dress was louder in the stillness between us. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
He didn’t deny it. His view drifted toward the snowy horizon. “I thought it was better that way.”
“Better for who?” The words slipped out before I could stop them. The hurt I’d tried to suppress cracked through my voice. “Because it sure didn’t feel better for me.”
Why did I even feel hurt by all this? My feelings were starting to not make sense to me. If it hadn’t been for the fact I experienced them before, I would’ve assumed it was due to Thadron’s hypnotic singing.
His gaze returned to mine, a storm brewing in his eyes. For a second, I thought he might shut me out again. Instead, his shoulders dropped a fraction, the tension softening.
“I didn’t mean to—” he started, but the words caught in his throat.
I took a shaky breath. “I’m wearing your gift, you know.” I held out a fold of the dress, trying to lighten the moment, even as my heart pounded. “It’s hard to be mad at someone who makes you feel this warm in a place this cold.”
A shadow of a smile curved his lips. “The dress was meant to do that.” He paused, eyes meeting mine. “But I didn’t want you to think I... didn’t care.”
“You told me you didn’t care.”
“That was about the festivities. I didn’t mean you.”
My heart skipped a beat. The sincerity in his voice melted a little of my frustration. “I appreciate that,” I said softly. “And the dress. Thank you.”
He nodded. The cold air swirled around us, but for the first time since I arrived, it didn’t feel so biting.
“Are you going to the festival?” I pointed to the way leading to the main hall.
“I have to take Elinru to the stables and then change.”
I noted that could mean either yes or no. “I guess I’ll let you surprise me.”
“You seemed to like the first one. We’ll see.” This time he presented a smile that went through the layers of my dress, warming me in secret places the dress couldn’t reach.
"The dress suits you.”
His compliment made the warmth spread throughout my body. “Thanks. It’s cozy. You know me and cozy things.”
“I didn’t want you to shiver during the festivities.” He put the frostgrazer’s reins in his other gloved hand. “The queen may have assisted me by telling the royal tailors your measurements.”
“Well, I’ll be sure to thank Her Majesty as well.”
He inclined his head in regal fashion to me before turning his frostgrazer in the direction of the stable.
I stared after the rider. How could I be drawn to him, this alien male who seemed to pull away even as he stepped closer?
Thadron was an enigma. I wanted to blame it all on my love of a good mystery, but it was something deeper.
Oh, jingles. Was this me getting into an alien prince?
The cold wind prickled at my neck and ears . I got myself across the walkway and headed towards the ballroom before I had time to think of an answer to my own question.
Chapter Six