POV: CAT
The dark, cold, river water swallowed me whole. The waves gobbled me up before I even had the chance to scream.
I tried to swim, to kick, to move my arms, but my limbs were tangled in all the skirts of my dress. The lace wrapped around me like a fisherman's net.
Salt water stung my eyes as I tried to find light, the sun, air.
My lungs burned as the seconds drew on. I could feel the current spinning me, pulling me.
I was gonna die.
I was gonna die from a fashion mishap while trying to escape from the arch nemesis of my fake boyfriend.
Just as my lungs were about to burst, there was another splash in the water near me. Strong arms wrapped around me, pulled me upward, as my vision blurred, my limbs growing lighter and lighter.
I coughed and sputtered as my head suddenly broke above water. I was lifted upwards, my back pressing onto something warm and hard. Still coughing, I opened my eyes to find a very wet and very angry looking Leopold hovering over me.
Water dripped off the perfectly straight bridge of his nose, off the ends of his water darkened hair. His white dress shirt was near seathrough, plastered to his skin and the taunt muscles beneath.
"Cat," he said, voice dangerous and deep. Then again when I didn't focus on him. "Cat, are you hurt?"
The words were heavily accented.
I looked into his eyes, one the colors of the sky, the other near black, and my breathing began to slow.
Was I hurt?
I didn't think so. Scared, yes. Cold, yes. Embarrassed, yes. But not hurt.
I shook my head slightly, not letting go of his gaze. Found myself yearning to press closer to him and the heat coming off his skin. I tried to reach for him, to touch his chest, to let him know it was alright, to thank him, but found I couldn't
Not hurt, but not able to move apparently.
Leopold's lips pressed into a thin line. He looked up, barking out an order in French. Then I was lifted again. He scooped me up off the dock as if I weighed nothing. Held me against his chest.
That's when I noticed the crowd. They circled around us, whispering, watching. They scuttled out of the way as Leopold carried me. I shut my eyes, Curling into his chest, blocking out the noise, and my racing heart, and my flushing cheeks.
Oh god. I've ruined everything.
Leopold stopped walking. I opened my eyes to find a huge speedboat pulled up to the dock in front of us. Farrow was at the wheel. Mr. Arsenault stradling the space between the dock and the boat.
I squirmed, expecting Leopold to me put down so that we could climb into the boat but he only squeezed me tighter.
He hushed me, muttering something soothing in French.
"It's okay," I said. My voice sounded like I'd been chain smoking cigarettes. "I can stand."
I was pretty sure I was fine and this boat seemed like a very over the top exit strategy. Better than staying at the regatta in sopping wet clothes though.
"Stay still," Leopold said in English this time.
My stomach sank at his sharp tone. I'd fucked up. I knew it.
He'd seen me with Antoine.
I'd embarrassed him and ruined our plan by falling in the water.
Mr. Arsenult grabbed Leopold's bicep, steading the Prince as he stepped down into the boat, still holding me in his arms.
Leopold lowered himself onto the back bench of the speedboat as Farrow pulled back on the throttle. He settled me in his lap, not letting his grip loosen even the slightest bit.
The three men exchanged words, shouting over the roaring of the motor. My ear piqued up as a word that sounded very similar to 'hospital'.
"No," I shook my head. Then louder again so they could hear me over the sound of the engine. "No hospital. I'm fine. I promise."
Leopold looked down at me. His frown drew deeper as his eyes scanned my expression. He nodded once, speaking again to our guards.
Time became wobbly after that. The hum of the motor, the rolling of the waves, the warmth and safety of Leopold's embrace lulling me into a half conscious state.
When I woke up, I was in my bed in the palace. I shot upright, heart pounding in my chest, dreams of water filling my lungs swirling fresh in my mind.
I was still in my wet clothes, a pile of blankets on top of me. I could hear water running in the bathroom. Angelique softly humming to herself.
Leopold was nowhere in sight.
With a groan, I flopped back down dramatically onto the sheet.
"Mademoiselle?" Angelique called. My pretty maid appeared at my side, gently taking my hand. She murmured to me in french, gently helping me upright.
"I think I fucked up big, this time," I told her, and shivered as she stripped me out of my damp dress.
She tisked at the ruined fabric, but didn't respond to my words. Grateful, I continued.
"I think I ruined our deal. I've embarrassed Leopold. Went against the plan. Spoke to Antoine. I fell in the river and nearly drowned. The whole party saw."
I let Angelique guide me to the steaming bath she prepared.
I couldn't make sense of the heavy feeling in my chest. I'd hated Leopold only days ago but now, the weight of feeling like I'd disappointed him, that I'd let him down, was nearly crushing.
The pain in his eyes when he'd looked at me on the boat. The intensity of them when I'd pulled me from the water. It was like his whole world was ending.
And I'd been the one who delivered the final blow.
By the time I was warm and dry, and didn't stink like salt water, I'd made a decision. I needed to apologize to Leopold and hope it was enough to convince him to forgive me. To let me help him. To let me stay.
Dressed in an oversized hoodie and leggings, I padded barefoot to the end of the hall, stopping before the door to Leopold's bedroom.
I prayed he was there. It was the only palace I could imagine looking. Normally, Leopold just appeared when I needed him. I'd never actually had to go hunting for him before.
With a big breath in, I brought my hand up and knocked three times on the door.
Rapid fire french responded.
Good news was that it was Leopold. Bad news was that I had no idea what he said.
"Ah…"I floundered. "It's Cat."
There was a brief moment of silence then in english: "Come in."
I pushed through the heavy door and into the Prince's bedroom.
The room beyond was very similar to mine, only slightly larger, and messier. The bed was unmade, clothes strewn across the floor, mugs and books sitting on antique wood table tops.
The mess made me smile a little. I was sure this was one way Leopold kept some ounce of control over his space. That this little corner of chaos was his way of claiming territory in the otherwise spotless palace.
My eyes danced over the space, looking for Leopold.
Finally, a breeze lifted the curtains, and I caught sight of him through the open french doors on the other side of the room.
Outside, Leopold leaned against the balcony railing. He looked like he'd showered too. He was barefoot on the concrete, grey drawstring pants low on his hips. A plain v-neck t-shirt pulled taunt across his chest. And a cigarette pinched between his lips.
At least that explained the faint smell of smoke that always clung to him.
I stopped just before the doors, my feet still firmly on the hardwood, leaving a few meters of space between us. "That's bad for you, you know."
Leopold's eyes ran over me as he took a long drag from the cigarette, then flicked the butt into the garden below. "What do you want, Cat?"
I bit my cheeks, eyes dropping to the ground. I needed to focus on the words I needed to say, not the way his hip bones were slightly visible above the waistband of his pants.
"I'm sorry," I blurted.
Well, subtly was never one of my strong suits.
"What?" Leopold's voice was peppered with shock.
I wrinkled my nose in a wince.
"I know, I know," I said, walking towards him. "It's not enough. I screwed up big today."
"Cat–" Leopold interrupted.
I pushed on though, speaking over him. If I didn't get this out quick, I'd never do it. "You have every right to be angry with me. I–"
"You think I'm angry with you?" The words were clear and even. Steady.
It made me look up. Leopold's brow was pulled into a frown. His head cocked slightly to the side.
I was standing in front of him now. Close enough that I could touch if I reached my hands out. The look in his eyes made me want to step back though.
"Well, yes. I embarrassed you. I–"
Leopold's eyebrows shot up. "Embarrassed me?" He ran a hand through his hair as he pushed himself off the balcony railing, pacing back and forth. "God, no, Cat. You didn't embarrass me."
I crossed my arms over my chest. "Then why were you so upset when you pulled me from the water? Why did you–"
I was cut off suddenly. Not by words this time.
Leopold stepped towards me, grabbed my waist, and pulled me against his hard body.
A quick gasp escaped my lips and then his mouth was on mine in a hungry and all consuming kiss.