Page 46 of Of Might and Mettle

“I already did,” Teresa said, waving her off as she went to say something to the violinist.

Lorelle raised a brow. As much as Teresa was more relaxed than most nobility, Lorelle figured the princess wouldn’t take to direct insubordination. Though Teresa was definitely full of surprises every week they got together for dance rehearsal.

The orchestra picked up a lively tune, and heels clicked across the marble floor. Lorelle glanced up from a stretch to see Queen Rosario enter the room.

“Amor,” said the queen to Teresa, “are you all ready for tomorrow?”

Lorelle glanced between them, lifting her head from a stretch. Tomorrow?

Teresa shot her an apologetic grin, though all semblance of contrition disappeared when she said with a wink, “I’m going to Elevsk.”

The queen looked as if she was fighting a grimace, but she held her composure—at least as far as Lorelle could tell. “Do you have all that you need for the cold? It won’t be like winters here, Teresa. Maybe I could go with—”

“Mamá,” Teresa said firmly, though without frustration. “I need to do this. I want to be a voice for our people.”

The queen still didn’t look convinced. “I’ll make sure the final preparations are in order,” she said, leaving the ballroom. When she left, the music returned to its more placid strains, though not without the occasional dissonant note before the chords resolved.

Lorelle settled back on her heels, casting a curious look at the princess. “Why didn’t you cancel practice today if you’re leaving tomorrow?” she asked, feeling guilty. Had she somehow pressured the princess into keeping the appointment even if she would have rather cancelled it? “We’re not performing.”

Though she had teased Teresa about coming out in costume, they weren’t meant to go anywhere beyond this room. What with the closing of the company—and the remaining smaller companies overcome with the pick of the best dancers on the island—opportunities were scarce. Not that Lorelle wanted to feel the sting of a spotlight for a while. She was content with her weekly sessions with Teresa, stretching under a pool of warm sunlight with the strains of music filling the air.

“I wanted to see you before I sail out,” said Teresa meekly, her face pinking slightly.

Lorelle smiled. “Well, I’m glad for the company of royalty. As long as you don’t mind me practicing,” she added with a wink. Teresa grinned.

The music shifted again, this time to an adventurous plucking of strings that masked the three-legged gait of the large wolf rushing straight for her. Peluche bolted across the ballroom, stopping short just before he would barrel into her, and she dug her fingers into his fur.

He was far bigger than any dog, reaching her waist if she was standing, but he had all the cuddliness of a small pup. At least joining the guard hadn’t trained that out of him.

“My, don’t you look rather handsome,” she said with a laugh. He even had a little medal pinned on his collar. With a second glance, she saw the chewed corner and recognized the four-pointed silver star of valor. “I see you’ve stolen something that’s not yours, Peluche.”

“Titan,” said a masculine voice, and Lorelle’s gaze shot up to Antonio leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. “We’re on patrol, but it seems our pup is easily distracted.”

“He’ll be off on an adventure soon enough,” said Teresa with a smile. She tapped her foot against the ground and Peluche rushed to her.

Lorelle gave the princess a stern look. “Where is he going? Surely, he’s not going all the way to Elevsk.”

But if Teresa heard her, she didn’t answer, leaning down to play with Peluche.

Now Antonio had crossed the room, and Lorelle fixed a pointed look on him. “Is there something you’d like to confess about our Peluche?”

He ran a hand through his hair, at least having the wherewithal to look guilty. “Yes, but that can wait for tomorrow. There’s a much more important confession I have to make at dinner.”

His words hung in the air, fluttering in her chest, and Lorelle felt her cheeks flush. How she suddenly wished she wasn’t sitting on the ground, feeling for all the world like the sun and the mirrored wall were highlighting her blush. And the romantic strains coming from the violin didn’t help.

She waved a dismissive hand. “Are you finally going to tell Tía Clarisa that you don’t like tembleque?”

He caught her hand and, with a gentle tug, pulled her to her feet.

“Not yet,” he said. “She makes so much more for me, that I know you would miss it if there was less.” He nodded down to her feet. “Your shoe is untied.”

She glanced down and, sure enough, her ribbon had come undone. No doubt when Peluche had scrambled up to her.

“Well,” she said with a smile, “could you tie it for me?”

He knelt and tied the ribbon, and he was so earnest and focused that she didn’t have the heart to tell him that it was wrong. She doubted Teresa would really push to dance today anyway, what with her impending adventure tomorrow. But even when he had finished, he didn’t stand. He remained on one knee.

Her heart fluttered again, but she stamped it down. He’d teased her a few times in the last few weeks—with the same innocent cluelessness he feigned so well before—but she knew he’d purchased a ring, and she knew he wouldn’t ask here, right now, where Tía Clarisa would chew him out for not inviting her to the proposal. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try and make her guess when.