Chapter 24

“Let’s go back to the castle,” Leo said against his mouth. “It reeks here.”

“I like that you came and knelt in the dirt for me.”

“It was the least I can do.”

“You’re going to smell like a barn animal. That’s not very princely.”

Leo smiled. “I guess that means it’s bath time.”

“Leopold!”

Despite his earlier comforting words, Leo jumped back as though he had been scalded. Dexter immediately pushed himself to his feet, and tried to bow, but the attempt was clumsy. And unseen. King William’s attention was entirely focused on his son.

“What do you think you are doing?” William demanded.

“I…”

“You ran out of the royal court in order to roll in the mud with some peasant?”

“Your majesty…”

“You have embarrassed the entire court.” The King’s face was red, almost purple, and hot shame trickled down Leo’s back. Not at anything he had done—he was not ashamed of Dexter—but he didn’t like to anger his father. The King rarely lost his temper with Leo.