Chapter 7: The Prisoner Chooses

Caedrin was off duty when the princess ordered him to enjoy himself.

He had removed his sword and left it in his room.

His uniform coat hung over the back of his chair.

Neither precaution had made the invitation sound less like an inspection.

"Sit wherever you please," Seravelle told him.

She pointed at the chair opposite her before he could move.

Caedrin took the chair beside it and waited for her response.

She looked from him to the empty place she had selected.

"That one has a view of the river," she explained.

"This one has a view of you," he said.

The answer had escaped before he had made it suitably cautious.

Seravelle lowered the sprig of mint she was holding.

He could have rescued them both with a professional explanation.

Instead, he let the compliment stand between their cups.

She placed the mint beside his saucer with unusual care.

"You may stop being polite now," she told him.

"I prefer not to," he replied.

"It is how I say things I mean."

The innkeeper arrived with a pot of tea and a covered dish.

Seravelle asked him for the most adventurous meal available.

The man considered the request while he poured their tea.

"The eel has surprised several guests," he said.

Caedrin looked at the dish and then at Seravelle.

"I shall have the chicken," he told the innkeeper.

Keep reading free with an account. Start They Sent a Knight to Fetch Me, I Kidnapped Him First from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.