To Steal a Prince (7 page)

“Thank you.” If he wants to make me mad, he’ll have to try harder another time.

The prince takes his seat.

“Did you teach her to bow like that, Damie?”

I see Damon’s pinky twitch at the nickname. “I didn’t. I thought it was charming, though. Grace, I’m pleased to introduce my brother, Marc.” From his tone, he doesn’t sound entirely pleased.

“Nice to meet you, Grace. It’s been
so
long since we’ve met a friend of Damon’s. Who was it last week, Kayla? Or was she the week before?”

Twitch.

“Will your friend be arriving soon, Marc?” I ask. “I’d love to meet her.”

His expression sours, and he turns away from us. Behind me, Nic muffles a guffaw.

Damon’s shoulders relax. “I can teach you how ladies of our court curtsey, if you’d like.”

“I would.” I resist the urge to lay my hand in his lap.

“After dinner, of course,” the queen says.

“Of course, Mother.”

His voice is oddly stiff. From the way he spoke of her at the museum, I thought he loved her—and that she was dead. Maybe something else happened between them.

At some silent signal, servants step forward to place bowls of water next to everyone. I know this one. I dip my fingers in as Damon does, trying to act like I’ve done this before. I’m glad I’ve seen enough movies that I know it’s not some kind of clear soup. Dabbing my fingers on a napkin, I steel myself for the dinner to come. I won’t make a fool of myself again if I can help it.

Our bowls are ferried away, and bowls of actual soup are placed before us. I stare at the table. I know that the napkin goes in my lap, but why is there so much silverware? The soup spoon is obvious, but after that I’ll be lost.

“Start on the outside,” Damon murmurs. “Work your way in with each course. It’s not too complicated.”

The soup spoon is the one farthest out. I think I can manage that. Across from us, the king and queen sip their soup. This is happening. I’m really dining with royalty. Wait until Gabe hears about this.

I try to keep my hands from shaking. Despite my best efforts, some soup dribbles onto my lip. I wipe it off quickly, leaving a smear of lipstick on my napkin. Shit. Didn’t Eris warn me about this? She may not have been completely trustworthy, but I trust that my lip looks horrible in this light. I’m going to have to keep my head down, and hope that the monarchs have bad eyesight.

“So, Grace.” The king leans forward. “What brings you to our city?”

I almost choke on my soup. I had hoped that I would be mostly ignored. What am I supposed to say, that I thought they had nice stuff to steal?

“Well, sir, or … Your Highness…” I try not to wince, but it’s difficult. Every interaction is difficult to navigate here, but I didn’t expect that I would have to address the king. Shouldn’t I have gotten a handbook of some kind?

Damon reaches under the table to squeeze my hand.

“Sorry,” I continue. “I’ve been sightseeing. You have a beautiful city. Some of the nicest museums in the world.”

The king inclines his head by a centimeter. “I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it. Do let us know if you want to take in more sights, and we’ll lend you a driver. Many Americans aren’t used to driving on the opposite side of the road. Some of them get into terrible accidents.”

Oh god. He knows. I barely keep my spoon from clattering into the bowl.

Marc leans toward Damon. “Speaking of cars, where’s your Koenigsegg? I didn’t see it in the garage this morning.”

This isn’t going anywhere good, and there’s no reason to sit through it. I push out my chair, ready to sprint for the doors if I have to.

Nic catches my arm.

“Let me go,” I hiss. I can already feel my face burning. No doubt it clashes horribly with my dress.

“Not that way,” Nic whispers. Clearing his throat, he bows. “Highnesses, the Lady Sparrow has taken ill. She kindly requests your leave.”

The king gives the barest of nods.

Nic guides me to the door. “Now go.”

Doing my best to ignore the many stares, I run across the hall. Once I’m out of sight of the table, I duck behind a pillar to take off my heels.

“Grace?” Damon steps through the door. Is he really coming after me? I peek around the pillar. Yes, his eyes scan the hall.

“Son. A word?” The king puts his hand on Damon’s shoulder. I withdraw behind the pillar.

“What do you want?” The prince’s voice is low and harsh. “You’re the one who drilled me in etiquette for years. You must have skipped the part on how to properly shame your child’s guest.”

“Most guests don’t cost this city millions. You can tell the police any story you want, but they still report to me.”

“I’m sorry about the car. She is too. It’s only money, Father.”

“For now. That girl is trouble.”

I don’t want to hear any more of this. I slip out of the hall, walking as fast as I can without attracting odd glances. I like Damon, but why does his family have to be so cold? Are they worried I’ll corrupt him or something? It’s not like I want to marry him. I don’t even want to be here much longer.

I’m so tired that it’s hard to keep a placid expression on my face for passersby. The relief I feel when I reach my blue door makes me dizzy. I can sleep here one last time, then leave in the morning.

I step into my room, the only place of sanctuary available to me.

“Back so soon?”

Eris is still here. Oh no.

“I’m just tidying up. I’ll be out of your hair shortly.”

I can’t help it. I burst into tears.

“Miss? Oh, please don’t cry.”

My shoulders shake as tears run down my face. I gasp, barely able to breathe.

“My lady, er, Grace, I really didn’t mean it. I just thought it would be funny. Here, come sit on the bed.”

She leads me there, which is nice since I can’t see a thing. I sink into the mattress. This is a great way to end the night, at my most vulnerable in front of someone who despises me.

“Here, have a glass of water.” She pushes it into my hand. The unexpected kindness only makes me cry harder.

“Miss, please. People do worse things in this court than bow wrong. They do them every day. No one’s even going to remember this tomorrow.” She dabs my face with a handkerchief.

“It’s not that.” I take the proffered handkerchief and blow my nose violently.

“It’s not?”

“No. That was fine. Ridiculous, but fine.”

“What is it then?”

I hold back a sob. “They don’t like me.”

“Who? The king and all them?”

I nod.

“Of course they don’t. If they did, then you’d have a real problem.”

This manages to make me smile.

“Rest here awhile,” Eris says. “Things’ll be better in the morning. If you still think it’s important that they like you then, we’ll find someone who can teach you how to be snotty and stuffy.” She wheels her cart toward the door.

“At least I looked nice through it all, thanks to you.”

“No need to thank me, Lady. That’s what I’m here for.” She shuts the door firmly behind her.

Lying back on the bed, I try to relax. It’s mostly useless. I’m not sure I could face Damon again after dinner tonight.

There’s a knock on the door. Reluctantly, I get out of bed to answer.

“Did you forget somethi—”

Damon’s standing there. “No, but you forgot your dinner. I brought you some.” He holds out a covered tray.

“I’m not really hungry right now.”

Ignoring my protest, Damon strides across the room. He presses a panel in the wall, and it slides over to reveal a fridge and microwave. “I’ll leave it here just in case.” The panel slides back.

“Thanks.” I’m not sure what else to say. I only hope that my face isn’t still puffy and red from crying. I can stand being vulnerable, but that doesn’t mean other people have to see it.

Damon leans against the wall, looking uncertain. I know that look. He’s weighing his father’s words, and finding them to have merit. And they do, of course. He’s crazy to let someone like me stay here.

I’m not keen on dragging this out. “I can leave tomorrow. Or tonight, if you want. I probably need to call a cab, though.”

“We have our own drivers. And I don’t want you to leave at all.” He comes closer, until we almost touch. Damon starts to reach out, then clasps his hands behind his back. “One lousy dinner isn’t enough to drive you off, is it? Is the girl who stole my car really worried about what my father thinks of her?”

I study the tile floor carefully. “To be fair, I feel worse about wrecking it than stealing it. What would the king think about that?”

“Let me tell you a secret. My father rarely approves of anyone, myself included. You just gave him reason to disapprove more quickly than most.” He sets warm fingers under my chin, encouraging me to look at him. His eyes are warm too, but they don’t meet mine. Instead, they linger on my lips. Is he going to try to kiss me again? He leans in the slightest bit…

“Is it still hurting?” He touches his own lip at the spot where mine is split. “I’m very sorry.”

I rock back on my heels. I’m glad I didn’t meet his lips with mine. That would have been the perfect cherry on top of this embarrassment sundae.

“I’ve had worse.” I try to pull myself together. “Besides, I did it to myself.”

A slow smile spreads across his face. “Did you know that you look lovely this evening?”

“Even with my lip?”

“Especially with your lip. It adds character.” He takes my hand, raising it above my head. “Spin for me.”

I can’t say no when his eyes gleam like that. Trying not to blush, I slowly turn on one heel.

“Beautiful.” The prince pulls me back to him. “Your dress really brings out your eyes.”

“Really?” I’ve had men catcall me before, but no one’s ever said anything about my eyes.

He smiles. “Walk with me?”

I hesitate. Damon’s presence is magnetic, and I don’t want to leave his side. His body is taut next to mine, and I want to stay here as long as I can, basking in his presence. But I’ve already caused him enough trouble.

“I’m not really up for any more adventures tonight.”

“A leisurely stroll isn’t much of an adventure.” His pained expression melts my resolve. I thought I was the con artist. How can he bend my will so easily?

“Fine,” I tell him. “A short walk. No cars or bodyguards involved.”

His face brightens instantly. “I know just the place.” Beckoning me to follow, Damon walks onto the balcony. He leads me down a short spiral staircase, then onto a lit pathway. Judging by the high walls all around, we’re in the palace’s vast courtyard. The path branches many times, leading to courtyards within courtyards. We pass hedges, statues, fountains.

I’m glad Damon knows where he’s going, because the path becomes a maze. My feet are getting sore. We head toward the center of the courtyard. I hope we won’t go much farther. I’m not sure I could find my way back.

“Here we are,” Damon whispers.

Somehow, quiet words seem appropriate. This feels like a hushed place. Fireflies wink in and out of the dusk, lighting a sea of roses. Their scent washes over me, powerful and pure. It feels strong enough to wrap me up and bear me away.

I pull one of the flowers toward me. Its plush petals glow white under the moon. The rose is heavy in my hand, and I wonder how the stem is strong enough to hold it up. Its beauty is more bewitching than any work of art. I’ve stolen enough to know.

“Do you want it?” Damon asks.

Letting the flower go, I shake my head.

“Why not?”

“I don’t know. Cutting one of these would just be wrong somehow.”

Damon holds out his arm, and I thread mine through his. Silently, we walk down the gravel path that spirals through the rose garden. I like it here. It’s peaceful and picturesque. I feel like no one can disturb us here in the garden’s heart, not with all the thorns protecting us.

The prince looks at me. “Do you like it?”

“I love it.”

His smile is bittersweet. “It was my mother’s. She was always the one to tend it. Now no one’s allowed to step inside or touch the blooms, save the gardeners. And me.”

I stop beside a bush of lilac-colored roses. “I’m confused. I thought I met your mother at dinner tonight.”

Damon shakes his head. “That’s my stepmother. She insists on me calling her that for appearance’s sake. Marc is my half-brother, though you’d think he was heir to the throne the way Sarina carries on.” He waves a hand through the rose-scented air. “No matter. They’re not even here, I won’t let them bother us.”

A firefly lands on his shoulder, blinking in the darkness.

“Does your father ever come here?”

“Not anymore. It’s too painful. Too many memories.”

“I’m sorry about your mom,” I say softly.

“Thank you. I wasn’t ready to lose her.” He exhales. “She wouldn’t want me to still be moping about. And she would be very upset to know that I was carrying on about her instead of paying attention to my lovely companion.”

I take his hand in mine. “I don’t mind. Do you want to tell me more about her?”

“She had the prettiest laugh. And told the most terrible jokes.” He lets out a deep laugh.

“Tell me one.”

“Well… Do you respect me?”

I nod.

“I’ll tell you one when that’s worn off a little.”

“Hey!” I cuff him on the shoulder.

He wags a finger at me. “That’s better, but you’ve still got a long way to go.” Damon pins me to his side, presumably so I can’t hit him again. “I’ve spent too much time talking about my family. I really want to learn more about you. You said you’re from California. How did you find yourself on our shores?”

I hate talking about myself, but under his gaze I find the details spilling out. “I spent three semesters at USC, but it didn’t really work out. Even though I was broke, I wanted to travel the world. I got work on a cruise ship, washing dishes and serving food.” I don’t mention that I also made a pretty penny slipping watches and wallets off unsuspecting wealthy passengers.

“How long did you do that?”

“Just long enough to go through the Panama Canal and cross the ocean. I hopped off in Portugal. I made enough money to explore the coast, and I kept going until I ran out of cash.”