I woke the next morning to Riana tearing off my covers.
"Ten more minutes," I said trying to lay back down, but she stole my pillow.
"Now or no breakfast or seeing Alistor. Where did you sneak off to last night anyhow?"
I sat up with a groan and rubbed my eye with my good arm.
"To see Sasha."
She helped me to get dressed, and when I stepped outside, Alistor was leaning against a tree, his arms folded and looking so stunning. My heart fluttered faster and I lost all train of thought. Had he always looked so handsome?
"Hey," he said straightening up and running one hand through his loose pony tail.
"Hey," I said back awkwardly.
He chuckled, closing the gap between us and pulling me into his arms, stroking my cheek. I let out a small groan of hurt when he pinned my bad arm against me. He pulled back looking confused till his eyes fell on my arm. He moved away slightly, taking my good hand in his.
"I came looking for you last night- your servant told me you were out."
I looked away. "Aye. Seeing a friend."
He turned my head back towards him gently. "Let's get to breakfast."
With that we walked towards the great hall. Alistor seemed to be a bit more distant. I stopped tugging his hand and he looked back.
"Alistor, I went to see my friend Sasha."
He looked more relieved and pulled me into his arms gently for a moment before we headed the rest of the way to the great hall.
Breakfast was a blur and so was every class with Alistor. At dinner, we ate quickly and went out to the garden to just talk and enjoy each other's company. No one really had caught on to us being together and Alistor wanted to keep it that way.
He leaned down and kissed me and I leaned into him on the bench taking one of his hands in mine. I felt the calluses of his sword hand, felt the small, puckered white scars from our first years here using the wooden practice swords that bit into our hands. I looked into his eyes that held the color of the dark blue night sky today. He took his free hand and stroked my cheek, making flush.
"You flush so easily now, Eve," he teased.
"We were never this affectionate to each other and you are my first love, Alistor," I admitted, biting my lower lip gently. "I'm still trying to get used to being open about my feelings for you- I tried to hide them."
He chuckled. "You'll get used to it eventually."
I was happy he didn't point out Neil, but I think he even knew that I was never really in love with him.
I kissed him gently right as the prince and his betrothed came into view. When I turned to look back at Alistor, he had ducked into the bushes.
"This is my good friend, Guardian Eveline," the prince said to his betrothed.
She curtsied and I bowed my head. I had to admit, his betrothed was pretty- fair-skinned, tall, slender with tawny-blonde hair, freckles and dark green eyes.
"The prince has talked much about you," she said in a soft, even tone. "It's a pleasure to meet the first girl guardian the palace has seen in years."
I flushed, catching my friend's eyes. Why did he always speak so highly of me?
"Thank you," I said quietly.
She smiled.
"Want to see the rose maze?" the prince asked her after a moment.
"Aye. I'd love to, Christopher."
"Hope you heal soon, Eveline."
And just like that, he was gone.
As soon as he was out of sight and out of earshot, Alistor clambered out of the bushes. The last person we wanted to see us together was Chris.
"That was close," he admitted. "Should we go somewhere more private?"
"I... I think I should head off to bed," I stumbled.
I didn't feel comfortable being so alone with Alistor yet. His smile fell and he wiped his bangs away from his face. I could tell he was hurt.
"I'll walk you back," he said casually.