Snow & Poison by Cruz Melissa de La

Author:Cruz, Melissa de La [Cruz, Melissa de La]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Historical
ISBN: 9780593326688
Amazon: 0593326687
Goodreads: 60219318
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Published: 2023-04-18T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

When Maximilian and Philip returned from the study, Claudia bid them all good night and Maximilian soon followed. The servants bustled in and out of the room, clearing away plates and setting everything aright for the morning.

“What a day we’ve had, Lady Sophie,” Philip said, aglow in the light of the fire.

“Indeed.” She smiled, leaning back in her chair.

“I don’t wish to end it early, but you look as though you’re about to fall asleep this very moment.”

“Nonsense.”

“Now, my lady,” he murmured, rising and taking her hands. “If I am to take care of you, I must ensure you get your rest.”

“I believe we’re meant to take care of each other, Prince Philip.”

“Well said.”

They walked the halls together. Sophie had the strange sense of being older, different; her status as an engaged woman was bringing her to another plane that was even more foreign than the one she’d entered when she debuted. Soon, the thought of chaperones and ill reputes and horrid suitors would be a thing of the past—or so she hoped.

“Philip,” she said quietly, not wanting to break the comfortable silence between them. “What will it be like in Spain?”

He smiled so warmly that she blushed. “It will be beautiful. I can’t wait to show you the mountains of my own homeland, the Cordillera Cantábrica, the beech forests. You can try mojama and fideuà; we can go to the ocean. I’ll take you everywhere.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Hearing the anticipation in his voice, she suddenly wanted to do all of those things as much as he did, to go right now. But she laughed nervously. “And your people—what will they think of me?”

Philip looked at her solemnly. “They will fall in love with you as I have. You won’t be some ornament on my arm, but someone who listens to Spain’s needs and cares fiercely for them—and for Bavaria’s, too. That’s the kind of princess they want.” He smiled wryly at her. “And eventually . . . queen.”

Sophie took a deep breath, nodding and telling herself to believe his words. But something nagged at her, still. “What did my father discuss with you in the study?”

“Just the hunting party.” He smiled. “And a few other things about being a man, doing nothing to hurt you, ever, lest I answer to him—the usual spiel. Why do you ask?”

She stopped, tugging where their hands were still attached. “How does your father truly feel about the marriage? You must be honest with me.”

Philip’s smile faded. “Oh. Let’s not talk about him tonight. Please?”

He looked so sincere, so pained about the subject, that all Sophie could do was drop it. “All right. I can’t say no to that face,” she said, grinning ruefully. “Promise we will, though? Sometime soon?”

“Promise.”

He led her upstairs and paused in the hall before her quarters. Sophie suddenly felt wide awake as they stood in the dim light, close and alone.

“This is where I leave you,” he said quietly.

“I hope you sleep well,” she whispered.

Then he lifted her hand to his face and very, very gently pressed his lips against her skin.

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