Chapter 39

MILA

My questions about Felix only intensified over the next few days. I started preparing for opening night of the restaurant, putting the finishing touches on the decor and menus and placing advertisements in the local paper.

Felix and I started having dinner with the royal family every Friday night. I found myself growing to love Ivana and Rowena, who consistently delighted me with their kindness. Esmeralda did not attend a single dinner since the first one, which I found a little odd, considering she was such a close family friend.

I would have much preferred her presence to those of Charles and Isabella, who insisted on coming to every meal. The two of them always sat together, whispering to each other and giggling in my direction. It took everything in me to keep my head held high and to ignore them, even though I felt sick to my stomach at their cruelty.

At least the other members of the royal family were quick to shut down any snide comments Isabella made in my direction. I got the impression Rowena really did not like the noblewoman, and that brought me a quiet sense of joy.

My relationship with Felix was going really well. He took me out dancing at elite Fresonian nightclubs, he was constantly showering me with lavish gifts, and he was always telling me how fabulous and beautiful and talented I was. Not to mention, the sex was amazing.

And somehow, that purple stone necklace remained on, every time.

If it weren’t for the doubts in my head, everything would be perfect.

It started off with the knife cut, but things quickly escalated.

I came home one night with a small burn on my arm from accidentally bumping a frying pan. When I took Felix’s shirt off that night, I was stunned to see that he had a burn in the same place. When I asked him about it, he merely shrugged and started kissing me.

Another afternoon, I was by myself in the kitchen and about to back up into a pot of boiling water when Felix somehow showed up at the right moment to save me from scalding myself with the hot water.

“How did you know I was in trouble?” I asked him, for what felt like the millionth time.

“I just have a good intuition,” Felix told me with a smile.

Felix kept insisting nothing was wrong, that he would never keep secrets from me, but that faraway look in his eyes was appearing more and more often nowadays.

The questions kept forming in my head, even as I kept falling in love with Felix.

FELIX

Things with Mila were going extraordinarily well.

I was continually amazed by her kindness and thoughtfulness, and the passion she put into creating her restaurant. It was evident how much she cared about her work, and it warmed my heart to see her so happy.

Our dinners with my family were also going well–it was clear Mila was a big hit with my parents. Esmeralda had not attended a meal since her confirmation of Mila’s status as my Destined Bride, choosing instead to dedicate her time towards researching how to break the curse once I had found the one.

I could tell that Mila was having some questions about how I managed to always show up at the right time, but I thought I was covering my tracks fairly well. Whatever she could have possibly suspected, I knew it had nothing to do with dragons or curses.

But I couldn’t help myself. If I knew she was in trouble, I would do anything to save her. Curse be damned–I couldn’t bear to see her get hurt.

Our magical connection only grew stronger as our emotional connection intensified. With every passing day, I could feel her emotions and pains more deeply than ever before. The burn she had gotten a few days ago still stung my arm, as raw and red as if it had just happened.

We were on our way to the castle for one of our weekly dinners when Mila looked over at me with wide, expectant eyes.

“Do you think we could ever arrange a dinner with just us and your parents?” she asked carefully. “I don’t mean that as any offense to your brother, of course, but I was just thinking–”

“I would love that,” I said, cutting her off. “And it’s okay if you mean something with offense to Charles. He can be a lot to handle sometimes.”

She lowered her eyes bashfully.

“I understand,” she said softly. “My family back in America… they can be quite a lot to handle sometimes, too.”

She had mentioned her family in America a few times, and each time, I found myself with a strong desire to fly there myself and throw a few punches. They sounded like awful, cruel people. It was a miracle Mila turned out as kind and gentle as she had, given their horrific behavior.

I had privately decided to myself that if I ever met them, I would bring the full wrath of a Dragon Knight upon their house.

I covered Mila’s hand with mine and gave her a kiss before we got out of the car. She looked at me with adoration in her eyes.

Dinner with the family went smoothly. Charles and Isabella were surprisingly quiet, for once, which meant that we had a rather peaceful meal. Mila had taken to bringing a dessert for us each week, and this week we were about to dive into some butterscotch bread pudding when my father pulled me aside.

“I’d like to take a moment to talk to you, son,” he said. I gave Mila a nod before we left the room.

My father’s study was in one of the highest turrets in the castle. He liked being able to overlook the whole city below him. I knew one day, the study–and the throne–would be mine.

“When are you getting married?” my father asked as soon as the large stone door closed behind us.

“That’s one way to start a conversation, Father,'' I said. “All I will say is that I’m not sure.”

“Time is running out,” he reminded me.

“I know,” I murmured. “That's all I can think about.”

That, and my overwhelming guilt over lying to Mila.

My father sighed and paced the length of the study.

“I worry about telling her the truth,” I confessed. “Will she ever forgive me for lying to her?”

“Esmeralda is hard at work doing research to make sure we actually understand this curse,” he said. “But we will not know anything for sure until your wedding day. It is your duty as the future King of Fresonia to put your country first.”

“I’m working on it, Father,” I said. “Remember that Mila is from America and she was not raised royal. She needs to be eased into the idea of a hasty marriage.”

“Have you professed love to her?” my father asked.

“I’m trying to sort out my own feelings on that particular front,” I admitted. “I know I care deeply for her. I’m just not sure yet if it’s… love.”

“She’s going to save your life,” my father said. “How could you not love her?”