Beauty's Cursed Sleep

by Mary E. Twomey

  Remus didn’t know how to comfort his niece after her grueling tutoring lessons, so he opted for shtick. “You look a little stressed. Maybe you should go to the movies with Calvin, get married and pop out a few kids. That sounds like a recipe for happiness if I ever heard one. I mean, with a condescending offer like that, who could say no?”

  Rory let out a sarcastic snort. “Do me a favor? If I’m ever considering his offer, haul me off into the woods and shoot me.”

  “I’ll even let you pick the gun. Come on. I know a certain someone who’s been waiting for your lessons to end. Enchanting though your father is, I’m sure Cordray would much prefer your company.”

  Rory took him up on the offer of an escort, walking down the hallway with her uncle’s protective arm tight around her shoulders.

  12

  First Date Jitters

  It was the first day Rory had gone into the office without feeling waves of stress. By taking four tasks off of her plate each day, hiring two more assistants to work alongside Francesca, and training her staff to handle the workload Rory had championed by herself for years, the death grip she’d had on her Foundation began to loosen. There were even whole three-minute periods where she found herself without anything to do.

  It wasn’t until Cordray called that she realized how calm the whole office felt. Everyone was handling their zones, and understood what work needed to be done, and by when. “Hey, you,” she said, cradling her phone with her shoulder as she shut her office door. She was wary of saying his name in an area where anyone could hear it, or see the telling smile that caressed her face whenever she spoke to him. “How’s your day going?”

  “It’s going well, actually. My boss closed a big account today because of research I did, and I wanted to celebrate. How would you feel about me taking you out to lunch? Can you step away for an hour?”

  Rory froze, her voice lowering to a whisper. “Are you joking? People would see us.”

  She could hear the joy in his chuckle. “That’s kind of the idea. We’ve been dating in secret for a month. I think it’s time to take the training wheels off this thing.”

  Rory scarcely comprehended the rest of their conversation, only when and where she was going to meet him. She grabbed her purse before heading not to the entrance, but to Remus’ office, knocking lightly on the door. When he let her in, she shut the door after slipping inside, her eyes wide. “I have a favor to ask.”

  “If you want me to buy you a unicorn, my money’s a little tied up in a new business deal your father talked me into. And by ‘talked me into’, I mean I was more than a little tipsy, the sneak. He knows my weakness for good whiskey. Next week.”

  Rory rolled her eyes at his joke. “Cord asked me to go to lunch with him.”

  Remus’ face broke into a wide grin. “Is that so? Well, well, well. Isn’t that adorable? Are you two going to share a milkshake? One straw or two? One straw means you’re going steady. Two straws means he has an STD, but he’s afraid to tell you.”

  Rory’s hand went to her forehead. “You’re making me nervous! I only came in here to see if anything could be done about Benjamin.”

  Remus’ face fell. “No, hun. You know the house rules. If you’re here, I watch you, but you’re Benjamin’s charge the second you step out those doors. It was a big ordeal just to get your parents to keep Benjamin out of the building when you first started here, and he still comes and scouts out the perimeter every morning. I’m sorry, but rules are rules. Safety first.”

  “This stinks!”

  “I’ll be sure to tell Benjamin you love him.”

  “Oh, hush. You know what I mean.”

  He studied her nervous fidgeting, and her need to stand straight as an arrow. “Rory?”

  “Yes, Uncle Remus?”

  “I want you to tell me everything about your date tonight over dinner. I think it’s great you’re taking your relationship out into fresh air. Cord is a good guy.”

  Dread coursed through Rory as she touched her forehead. “That Mexican place just outside of town is nearly empty this time of day, right?”

  “That sounds like a safe bet for a first date. You’ve got your sunglasses and a hat in the car. It’ll be fine.”

  “Thanks.” She smoothed the front of her gray blouse, and then leaned over the desk to kiss Remus’ cheek. “It’ll be fine, right?”

  “More than fine. You haven’t been on a proper date in ages.”

  “I don’t think you understand the severity. He was actually naked, and actually on my bed.”

  Rory sniggered into her taco salad. “Can’t blame a guy for trying. That’s some high self-esteem, to use his nude body as a selling point, unsolicited.”

  “Hilarious. That was the last roommate I had. Since Albert rubbed his junk all over my sheets, I decided I prefer living alone.”

  “I can’t imagine why. Poor Albert. Can you blame him? I mean, you’re positively delightful.”

  “I’m glad you think so.” Cordray dimpled at her gentle teasing, and Rory thought to herself what a perfect shade of dark caramel his skin was, and how handsome he was when he laughed. His brown eyes locked in on hers, and for a moment, both of them wished Benjamin wasn’t at the table.

  When Benjamin rose from his seat, he placed his hand on the center of Rory’s spine. “I’ll be right back. I need to check that car’s plates.”

  Rory shot him a look of gratitude that he was giving them a moment unsupervised. “He’s usually not that lax. He must be starting to trust you. Well done. You even bewitched old Benjamin.”

  Cord brushed his gloved knuckle against hers, but Rory retracted her hands and tucked them under the table with a look of warning. Cordray tilted his head to the side as he studied her darting eyes and careful movements. “Was this too soon for you?”

  Rory kept her voice low, though there were only a handful of other diners in the restaurant. Thanks to her black hat that shrouded a good portion of her face, no one had recognized her. “Things are going so well between us. If something got to be too much and spooked you away…” She shook her head, her voice pinched with worry. “I don’t think I could take it.”

  “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just feel like I’m doing this all in the wrong order. I feel like a tool for having never taken you on a date before.”

  Rory’s eyes softened around the edges. “You’re wonderful to suggest this. Maybe this is exactly how our first date was always going to go.”

  “Then have some of your lunch. Can’t have my favorite Story going hungry. What would the press say?”

  “Oh, shush.” Her phone rang in the two-noted chime that was designated for Benjamin. “Sorry, I have to answer when Benjamin calls. Security nonsense.”

  Cord waved his hand to excuse her apology. “Take it. I totally understand. I have to do the same thing whenever my bodyguard calls.”

  Rory narrowed her eyes at his teasing. “What’s up, Benjamin?”

  Her guard’s voice sounded tight. “There’s a car out here registered to a man who’s been dead for five years. Do you see anyone shady in there?”

  “No. I’ll do a lap and let you know.” She hung up and set her phone on the table. “Did you want more water? I’m almost out. I’ll go flag down a waiter.” Though she didn’t need to, she stood and moved to the bar area, asking for a refill so she could survey the restaurant.

  When Rory sat back down, she debated taking a chance and reaching across the table to hold his hand. How she wanted to be a woman on a regular date without external complications.

  Cord’s expression had been lively and mildly flirty just a minute ago, but now it was stony. “You missed a text.”

  Rory checked her phone and saw a text from Henry, whom she hadn’t spoken to in over a week. She still hadn’t told him she was seeing Cordray, mostly because she enjoyed the private bubble she had with her boyfriend and wanted to keep it intact as long as she could.

  Her lips pulled to the side as she read Henry’s mess
age. “Tell me you love me, and that I own your heart. Take me to the gallery this weekend? We didn’t see everything last time.”

  Rory texted back a quick, “Love you to the moon and back. Can’t do this weekend. Take one of your many adoring fans.” When she looked up from her phone, she took in the stiffness that flattened Cordray’s lips. “Everything alright?”

  “You tell me. You’re keeping me a secret, while the Prince of Avondale is saying he owns your heart. Am I missing something?”

  All the color drained from Rory’s face. “What? No! Henry is my dearest, oldest friend. You know there’s nothing going on between us. He’s just like that. You know how he is; you’re his neighbor.”

  “I’ve barely met him more than a handful of times. I’m his neighbor for a property he barely visits, and we mostly keep to ourselves.” Cordray shook his head. “I don’t get it. He’s allowed to ask you on dates to public events, but we’re hiding out in no man’s land, like you’re ashamed to be seen with a Lethal.”

  Anxiety welled up in Rory as she scooted closer. “Us being here is a big step for me. This is me protecting you. You can’t honestly think I’m ashamed of you. I love you!”

  It was the first time either of them had said anything like that to each other, and of all the ways Rory envisioned herself speaking those three amazing words, she never heard them being flung out in frustration.

  Cordray blinked at her, his mouth open in shock.

  Before either of them could speak, Benjamin was beelining toward her with wide eyes. The restaurant was sparsely populated, so when someone bumped into her seat and brushed her shoulder, she took note of the oddity.

  Then a sickening wave of heat hit her. It was the kind she sometimes experienced when the flu descended too quickly, and she was hit with an overwhelming urge to lie down before she passed out. As her eyelids drooped, she called out to Benjamin, panicked that someone had Pulsed her with a suggestion of Rest. It was one of those gifts that could go either way. You could use it to help those around you sleep peacefully, or you could force people to pass out against their will, and then take your advantage.

  “Run, Cord!” she warned through slack lips, but he didn’t listen.

  Cordray’s chair tipped backward as he lunged around the table to catch Rory before she fell off her chair – a lifeless ragdoll in his arms.

  13

  Somewhere to Hide

  Rory fought with her consciousness in the backseat of the town car, jostled in Cordray’s arms.

  “You killed that guy!” Cordray shouted, his volume uncontrollable in the aftermath.

  “I did what I had to. He attacked the Chancellor’s daughter. They can’t be allowed to get away with that. Now they’ll all know that one of their men died trying to attack our family. They won’t be so careless next time.” Benjamin shook his head. “Broad daylight, too. Man, they’re getting desperate.”

  “Who are ‘they’?”

  “That’s classified.”

  “What do they want with Rory?”

  “Classified.”

  Cordray growled in frustration. “Come on, Story. Open your eyes. Explain all of this to me.”

  Benjamin called the mansion with the press of a button, and explained the situation in clipped, coded phrases that didn’t answer any of Cordray’s multiplying questions. “You need to get The Chancellor and his wife out of there. The palace? Sure. That’ll work. We’re too far from there, though. It may be that Rory’s the only target, but best be cautious and get Stefan and Leah out.” Benjamin paused, a shadow falling over his eyes. “I know where to take her that no one will come looking. I’ll confirm once we’re safe.” Benjamin glanced in the rearview mirror at Cordray. “This is your last chance to bail.”

  “Bail? With an unconscious woman in my arms? You expect me to walk away from this and just leave her in the back of the car?”

  Benjamin’s usual firmness with strangers dissipated slightly. “You really do care about her.”

  Cordray glowered at Benjamin. “I’m this close to losing it over here. Tell me what I need to know, so this doesn’t happen again. I’m permanent, okay? I should know how to protect her without having to take off my gloves.”

  Benjamin responded by focusing on the road, still refusing to answer any questions. “I’ll tell you this,” he said after a full minute of silence, “Rory is bait. Always has been. Whenever someone wants something from the Chancellor, they go after his daughter, because they know her parents would move heaven and earth for her. The mess you stepped in? This is the tip of the iceberg.”

  “How often does this happen?” Cordray’s hold on Rory grew protective as he clutched her to his chest – a limp doll in his arms.

  “Whenever there’s dissention in the council. A couple times a year maybe; she’s only been actually abducted eight times. Though it’s usually in the dead of night, and it’s an attack on the mansion. To go after her in broad daylight?” Benjamin shook his head, concern weighting his eyebrows. “It’s bad. I would send you away, but frankly, I could use an extra pair of hands in case they intercept us on the way to the safehouse.”

  “Intercept us?” Cordray ducked down, his jaw tight as he tried to shield Rory with the solid mass of his body.

  The phone rang throughout the vehicle, and Benjamin shot Cordray a look of warning to shut up when he answered. “Benjamin.”

  A woman’s voice fretted over the phone. “Benjamin, put Rory on. Honey? Honey?”

  “Leah, she’s alright. She got Pulsed by someone who won’t be a problem anymore. She’s unconscious, but she’ll be fine. Just like the last time.”

  Leah burst into a fit of tears. “We’re headed to King Hubert’s palace. When will you be there?”

  Benjamin choked the steering wheel, his voice grim. “I’m taking her to Adam’s castle. No one will look for her there.”

  “Adam is horrible! I know Rory thinks he’s harmless, but the boy is mentally unstable!”

  Benjamin exhaled a small portion of his frustration. “I realize that, but his castle locks down like a fortress. Until we can get to the bottom of who’s behind her attack and why, I want Rory safe. They’ll look for her at King Hubert’s place, so don’t let anyone announce that you’re arriving. Stay away from the staff. In fact, Prince Henry’s got a few chalets you can hole up in while we get to the bottom of this.”

  Cordray stiffened when he heard Stefan shouting in the background. “I’ll not be forced into hiding! We all know the Baron is behind this. The palace is exactly where I’ll be heading to hold court with the king and report that, once again, my daughter was attacked! I’ll not hide away in some cozy chalet. Benjamin, get my daughter to safety, and I’ll handle the rest.”

  Benjamin rolled his eyes. “Put Pierre on the phone. I’ll not argue with you about this again, Stefan. You’ll follow protocol, and that’s that.”

  Cordray tried to piece together the bits of Rory’s world that made little sense to him, and fit better in the context of a spy novel. Whatever frustrations he’d held over her reluctance to take their relationship public, he began to let go.

  She was a flaccid noodle in his arms, but when he moved his cheek to her face, he was overwhelmed with relief that she was still breathing, her shallow in-and-outs calming his heartrate. “Hang in there, Story. I won’t leave you.”

  Cordray held tight to his promise, and to Rory, as Benjamin drove them away from the city. After a few minutes, Benjamin turned down a dead-end road, ignoring the sign, and driving on the dirt when the pavement ended. Cordray didn’t ask anything about where they were going, but he knew by the overgrown, craggy path the car teetered down, it couldn’t be anywhere good.

  14

  The Generosity of Adam Fontaine

  “No,” a gruff voice said from the other side of the door.

  Benjamin banged as if he was in a boxing match with the immoveable wood, his tone spiking with fury. “Hide in there all you want, Adam, but the future Chancellor of Avalon n
eeds somewhere safe to recuperate. You’ll open the door for her, so help me!”

  “Are all the hotels full? Is there no room at the inn?” Adam replied with too much sarcasm from the other side of the door.

  Benjamin was irate. “Rory and Henry are the only people who haven’t given up on you! She visits you every month, and you won’t even open your doors to her the one time she has a need? You’d let her freeze out here?”

  “You’re the one who’s letting her freeze. There are hotels not ten miles from here.”

  Cordray frowned at Benjamin for driving them to a “safe” house that appeared more like a gargoyle-bedecked haunted castle. Everything was gray and surly, the statues all over the place looking down at them with a clear message of “get out.” The woods they’d driven through were overgrown, the knotted branches twisting in what looked to be painful and unnatural ways. There was an overwhelming ambiance of doom and a life long-since forfeited.

  Benjamin wasn’t deterred by the gloom, nor the man behind the door. “Adam, you’ll open this door right now!”

  Adam huffed. “You have a car you can drive her away in. If anyone’s going to be responsible for her safety, it’ll be the man who’s on payroll for such things. Rory’s not as delicate as you all seem to think. It’s Stefan and Leah who are fragile, going into hysterics every time their daughter breaks a nail.”

  Benjamin stomped over to the car, took out a wooden bat from the trunk, marched over to the mailbox and swung, knocking the whole thing over in one shot. “Had enough?”

  When Adam didn’t open the door, Benjamin moved toward the window to the left of the entrance, aiming to break the glass.

  “Put that thing down!” Adam bellowed. “How is my castle the place that screams ‘safe harbor’ to you?”