by A. R. Henle
“Convenient.” An apt word, for Leander didn’t miss how little the gardener shared.
“That’s what I thought.”
“And the woman he saw?”
“He didn’t know her,” the gardener said with a shrug.
But Leander caught a glint in their eyes, and the way the corners of their lips twitched into a smirk for a moment before returning to work away at the stalk.
“You do.”
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.” The other tilted their head back for a long moment, then gave a decisive nod. “It were twilight. He said she were short with plenty of curves, lots of black curls, and dark skin with glittery bangles at her wrists. Young and bouncy with energy even as she ran.” A hand with dirty fingernails stroked the short gray and white hairs sprouting from their chin. “Only one I can think of fits that description. She’s a sweet thing, too. I’ve seen her over the summers grow from a little toddler turning circles on the green to as lovely a dancer as you’d ever want to see. You treat her well, you hear?”
“Of course. Her name?” Flickers of energy surged through Leander’s body. Young, bouncy, sweet, curved, lots of curls. The winter court held several matching such a description, but only one he knew had come with the Terparchon to the summer court.
“She’s one of them princesses, now. The youngest, though not the newest anymore.”
“Good to know.” Leander swallowed, mouth suddenly dry. More warmth welled within him, beyond that of the air and the sunlight. “Her name?”
“That’s enough for you to find her.” The other grinned, showing every one of their remaining teeth. “No doubt she’ll tell you all you need to know, mind she might need a push. You just talk to her daddy on the quiet, and say old Natter pays his debts.”
“Much obliged to you.” Leander managed to smile and nod as the stranger turned on his heels and stalked away—quite fast at that. He hadn’t missed the gardener’s reference to himself—assuming Natter was, indeed, his name.
Likewise, he noted the old man’s skillful avoidance of true details, the kind Leander would need for any report. Leander extracted his parchment and took notes, wondering if the tale were true, and if Natter meant the princess well or had a score to settle with her father. The gardener would bear further investigation in addition to those he’d so carefully kept from naming.
Still, he’d given Leander another place to start with his investigation.
And a reason to introduce himself to a certain princess. Unfortunately, as an inquisitor with questions rather than merely an admirer.
Also by A. R. Henle
The Dancing Princesses (fantasy romance)
1. A New Princess (September 2001)
2. A Healer Princess (October 2021)
3. A Royal Princess (early 2022)
Contemporary Fantasy with romantic elements
Swan and Shadow (Ordinary Sorcery)
The Webmasters of Fate (Ordinary Sorcery)
Historical Fantasy with romantic elements
How Full of Briars (Ordinary Sorcery — forthcoming 2022)
Contemporary Fantasy without romantic elements
The Museum of All Things Lost and Forgotten (Ordinary Sorcery)
Water for Blood (Twisting World)
Short Stories
Tortoise and Feathers (fantasy)
About the Author
A.R. Henle writes non-fiction by day and fiction by night. Magical realism, fantasy, fantasy romance—and history! Check out her website www.arhenle.com.
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Copyright © 2021 A.R. Henle
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ISBN:
Published by Crabgrass Publishing
Editing by Rare Bird Editing.
Cover and layout copyright © 2021 by Crabgrass Publishing
Cover design by Crabgrass Publishing
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
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