Awakening Beauty Read Free Page A

speculation, and gave a quick smile. A good smile, lightening the natural solemnity of his expression and making him look both younger and more approachable.
    “You’re awake again.”
    She pulled herself into a sitting position. “How long this time?”
    He shrugged. “Just a few minutes. Long enough for me to carry you in here, beat some cushions and lay you on them in my sleeping bag. I loosened your dress, by the way, because it looked so uncomfortable, but I promise I didn’t gape or grope.”
    She frowned. “Gape or grope? What does that mean?”
    “Never mind,” he said hastily.
    As the rest of his speech sank in, she began to blush with understanding. She wasn’t used to being handled by menservants, only by women, so this seemed wrong. And yet, oddly exciting. Of course, she was emotionally confused right now.
    “Thank you,” she said faintly, examining the strange quilted cocoon in which she was wrapped.
    He walked toward her and crouched down among the dustier cushions beside her. “How do you feel?”
    She swallowed. “Sore. Confused.” She closed her eyes on the upsurge of tears. “Desolate,” she whispered.
    “Aurora.” Her name on his lips soothed, as did his hand when he laid it on hers, warm and comforting. “Don’t worry. We’ll work this out. It’s dark now, so we’ll stay here tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll take you down to the village and we can find a doctor who can help you.”
    She stared at him. “Will he give me back lost time? Will he give me my mother and father? My friends and my betrothed?”
    There was a pause while he searched her eyes. He wasn’t remotely intimidated by her anger. “I don’t know,” he said at last. “But I hope he’ll give you something that helps.”
    He took his hand away and she felt curiously forlorn. But he only reached across her for his backpack. Clearly he had no concept of maintaining a respectful distance, for the hair on his arm, at once crisp and soft, actually tickled her chin. Even more strangely, she didn’t mind. She liked the smell of him, warm, a little faint sweat from exercise, something both elusive and alluring that reminded her of spice and orchards in summer.
    He heaved the bag over her and dumped it between his long legs while he rummaged inside. “Hungry?”
    Bemused as much by watching him as by his strange, curt speech, she had to think before she answered. “Um—yes, I think so…”
    “Good.” He brought out some odd, light containers, pulling the lids off each with a mocking flourish. “Help yourself.”
    Aurora closed her mouth. “What is it?”
    “Bread, local cheese, salami and ham, some salad. Fruit, chocolate.” Misunderstanding her hesitation, he added, “There’s enough for two.”
    It wasn’t what she was used to. Frankly, it was peasants’ food, but she’d been brought up never to be rude to her inferiors, and so she thanked him politely and reached into one box to pick up some cheese. He cut off a hunk of bread from the loaf, using a knife that unfolded from a short, rounded silver stick and handed it to her.
    “Thank you,” she said again.
    He took out a couple of bottles, one the clear water bottle she’d drunk from already, and the other a dark green color. He glanced at her. “There’s water and beer. I’d advise the former until you’ve seen the doctor.”
    “I’ve never drunk beer in my life. Don’t you have any wine?”
    “No.” He didn’t have to sound so pleased about it.
    Sniffing, she took the water bottle, remembering to thank him once again. Her stomach rumbled and, as she bit into the bread and cheese together, she realized how good peasants’ food really was.
    “So, Aurora, what’s the rest of your name?” he asked, placing two slices of salami and tomato slices onto one piece of bread.
    “Alexandra Maria Helena, daughter of King Hubert Wilhelm George and Queen Elizabeth Annaliese.”
    “I meant your surname.”
    She frowned. “Do you jest? We are the royal