Moody and the Beast

by Kristen Painter

  He nodded. “It is. Which is probably why I never use the theater.”

  “But that must have a bigger screen.”

  “It does. I suppose we should start using it. There’s a popcorn machine and soda fountain in there, too.”

  “You could invite the rest of the staff. Might be fun for them. If you wanted to, obviously.” Maybe that was overstepping. He might not want to spend time with the staff like that.

  He gave her suggestion a few seconds of thought. “I love that idea. In fact, the night after the dinner party would be perfect. A little evening off after the extra work.” He took her hand. “Although, a movie night for just the two of us has merit as well.”

  She smiled.

  He tipped his head toward the next room. “Balcony is just through here.”

  So was his bed, an enormous nest of a thing with a swooping canopy that connected the four tall posters. He went right past it to the sets of French doors on the far wall.

  He opened one pair, then turned. “My balcony. A little grander than the one attached to your guest room, but I do spend a lot of time out here.”

  She walked through. His balcony was the size of all of his rooms combined. “It’s an amazing space.”

  “I think so, too.” He hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll just go call Amelia, and then after lunch, we can do nothing but read for the rest of the day.”

  “I’ll be right here.”

  He went to make his call. She put her food and drink on the small table, then walked to the railing and looked out over the garden. It was a beautiful space. From above, the pavilion with its blossoming vines looked like a raft of flowers. They were so thick they hid the fountain, although if she listened closely, she could hear it. That garden was all that separated the house from the encroaching forest. She stared into the murky depths of the thick woods, intrigued.

  At home in Limbo, the forest that surrounded the kingdom was her refuge. When life got too burdensome, which was often, she’d slip outside and wander into the woods until she found a spot just to sit.

  Once, she’d gone starstone hunting. They were usually found in the very early morning after a hard rain. The rain had an effect on the sap of the elestia trees, and if the temperature was right, starstones formed. They were such pretty things. Like a translucent silver pearl. When faceted and polished, they were dazzling.

  Working at a bakery meant her early morning hours were rarely her own, so that hunting trip had happened only once. Still, that single hunt had earned her a week’s pay for the two stones she’d found. That money had given them a little breathing room with one of her father’s collectors.

  Her gaze dropped to the balcony as her thoughts turned to him. She hoped he was all right. That his health was good and that he hadn’t given in to the urge to wager money they didn’t have.

  “Theodora?”

  She looked up. “Sorry, lost in thought.”

  Robin came to her side, carrying his plate and drink. “I see that. Everything all right?”

  “I was just thinking about my father. Could I write him a letter? You have a way to get mail to Limbo, don’t you?”

  Robin nodded. “We do. And you can write one in the library. Everything you need is in the rolltop desk by the reference section.”

  “Thank you.” She felt better already. “Is everything set for dinner?”

  “It is.” He went to the table and put his meal down. “Amelia was thrilled and promised me that she’d take care of inviting Deacon and his sister.”

  “That’s wonderful.” She bit her lip. She still didn’t have anything to wear that wasn’t jeans or leggings. Hopefully, that would be fine.

  One of his brows lifted. “Really? Because that’s not what your face is saying.”

  “Nope, I think it’s great.”

  He gave her a look. “Theodora.”

  “You should call me Theo. Theodora seems so formal, and now that I’m calling you Robin—”

  He smiled. “Stop trying to change the subject, Theo. What’s bothering you? Besides your father.”

  She sighed. “I’m just thinking everyone else is going to be dressed nicer than me.”

  “Ah, yes. We haven’t done anything about that, have we?” He took her hand. “I have something to show you.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Robin had a feeling Theodora might not like what he was about to show her, and he completely understood if that was her reaction. He didn’t like it either. Despite that, he’d done nothing about it in all the years he’d lived here.

  He led her back to the foyer entrance of his quarters and through the doors opposite the ones that opened into his personal space. He wasn’t sure how many years it had been since he’d entered these other rooms. He knew Mrs. Baton kept the apartment clean, but other than that, he did his best to ignore its contents.

  He opened the doors and walked through, Theo at his side. Gone were the deep blues and royal purples that he favored. Instead, these rooms were all about the pale greens and aqua blues that had been the queen’s signature colors. He took a breath, then wished he hadn’t. Her perfume still lingered faintly. “This was Vesta’s side.”

  Theo looked around. “The space is gorgeous. I don’t want to like it, but I do.” She made an apologetic face. “Sorry.”

  “It’s all right.” He supposed it was very pretty. To him, it just reminded him of her. “She left a lot behind. Anything personal, I assume she took. What’s here is mostly clothing, jewelry, shoes, some knickknacks, cosmetics, things like that. Anyway, I thought maybe some of the clothing might be useful to you.”

  Theo’s brows went up. “Are you suggesting that I borrow some of the queen’s things for the dinner party?”

  “Absolutely. Why not? She clearly doesn’t care. If any of it meant anything, she would have taken it with her.”

  “But these are…the queen’s things.”

  “Does that matter? Because it doesn’t matter to me. In fact, I should have thrown all of this out years ago.”

  “You would have thrown all of her stuff away?”

  “In a heartbeat.”

  Her brows crept slightly higher. “Why haven’t you? You obviously have no love for her anymore.”

  He snorted. “As if that was even possible.” He surveyed the space. “I guess I’ve left it all because ignoring it was easier. And in the beginning, I might have thought she was going to come back and confess that it was all a bad dream.”

  How idiotic he’d been.

  He shook his head, disgusted at himself. How had he ever cared for her? “I was so young and so foolish. I should never have trusted her.”

  Theo frowned as if it bothered her to see him upset. “Don’t do that to yourself. Yes, you were young, but you were supposed to trust her. She was your wife. And the marriage was intended to bring the two kingdoms together. How were you to know she had other ideas?”

  “I guess.” Her concern was like a spring breeze, reminding him that there was still good in the world. He stared at the space before them. “I realize you may have different tastes from Vesta, but do you think you can find something to wear?”

  “I’ll have to see what’s left, but I’m sure there will be something I can adapt. I’m all right with a needle and thread, if need be. And we’re about the same size. Or we used to be.”

  “Used to be? Did she finally grow that two inches she always wished for?”

  “Not vertically. Her Royal Highness has developed quite a fondness for butter cakes and pulled-sugar sweets. Her figure is a good deal rounder than it once was.”

  He couldn’t care less what Vesta looked like now. “Maybe that’s why she didn’t come back for these things. Or send for them. They won’t fit her anymore.”

  Theo shrugged. “Maybe sending for them or coming back for them would, in her mind, be admitting she needed or wanted anything associated with you. If that makes sense.”

  “It does.”

  “But I can�
��t imagine she’d ever return here. Considering what she did to you, she should be too afraid to do that.”

  “I hate her with every living inch of my being, but I would never lift a hand against her. Unless she attacked first.”

  Theo pondered that. “I’d say she’s already attacked you.”

  He couldn’t argue with that. “True. But I would never try to harm her. I wouldn’t hesitate to tell her what I think of her, though.”

  Theo seemed less interested in the contents of the room than she had just a second ago. “This is a very generous offer, and one I will take you up on, but I’d like to eat my lunch, then write that letter to my father before I look through the clothing. If that’s all right.”

  “Of course it’s all right. Let’s eat, then we’ll go to the library, and I’ll get you what you need.”

  They finished their lunch quickly, then went to the library. In a few minutes, he’d shown her where the stationery was in the desk and which drawer held the pens. She got to work on the letter immediately, head down, pen clutched just so, the tip of her tongue peeking out of her mouth.

  He settled into a nearby chair with the book he’d been reading, a biography on a scientist that interested him. Every once in a while, he’d glance up at her. Sometimes, she’d be writing away. Other times, the tip of the pen would hover over the paper while she seemed to be searching for the right word.

  It was utterly charming.

  At last, he looked up to see her standing next to him, a sealed, addressed envelope in her hand. “All done.”

  “Put it in the chute. That goes directly to Mrs. Baton’s office. She’ll mail it. She handles all the mail.”

  Theo scanned the room. “Where’s the chute?”

  He pointed. “By the bellpull. Near the door.”

  “I see it. Thank you.” With a smile, she started in that direction.

  “And then are you going to look through Vesta’s clothes?”

  Her smiled faltered. “You’re really sure you’re okay with me doing that?”

  “Absolutely. Are you okay with it?”

  She squinted just a little. “I think I am. Honestly, I’m not sure. I guess I’ll know when I get in there.”

  “Well, if you decide there’s nothing there you can use, that’s fine. But I do think it’s high time I put Baton to work cleaning it all out.”

  Theo took a breath. “Okay. I definitely need something to wear to this dinner party, so I can’t afford to turn this opportunity down. I’m sure I can make something in there work.” She stuck her letter in the chute, then turned back to him and gave a little wave. “Off to see what’s what. You know where to find me.”

  But she didn’t go anywhere, and he realized she still had an air of trepidation about her. He suddenly understood what she must be feeling. Vesta had been his enemy for years, but until a few days ago, Vesta had been Theodora’s queen. Under those circumstances, how could she not feel strange about digging through the woman’s closet, no matter how long it had been since Vesta had cared about those things?

  He closed his book. “How about I come with you and then go read on my balcony? That way, if you need me, I won’t be far. Would that make you feel better?”

  Theo exhaled, nodding. “I think it would. Especially if I have a question about something.”

  He stood and tucked his book under his arm. “Say no more. I completely understand. Let’s go.”

  Together, they walked back to his quarters. In the foyer, he opened the doors to Vesta’s side, leaving them wide open. “If you need me, I’m just a shout away.”

  “Thank you. This is really very kind of you, even if you say you don’t care about these things.”

  “I don’t. But you’re still welcome. Have fun.” He went off to read, wondering what Theo would make of Vesta’s castoffs.

  If Theo couldn’t find anything in those deep closets, he’d have Henry drive her into town to go shopping. No companion of his was going to help host a dinner party feeling less than her best if he could help it. And he could.

  * * *

  There was something utterly surreal about standing alone in the midst of Queen Vesta’s quarters. Theo would have been lying if she’d said there wasn’t the tiniest element of fear involved. Vesta did that to a person.

  But Vesta was a world away. And Theo’s curiosity quickly squelched any remaining fear. She was bursting to explore. To see what Vesta had considered too insignificant to take with her. Part of Theo felt like she was about to read the woman’s diary. There was definitely a personal, private nature to all of this.

  Then again, these quarters represented the Vesta of nearly twenty years ago. Not exactly the woman who ruled Limbo now. And yet, that woman had been the one who’d poisoned Robin and turned his people against him. How different could she be?

  Theo wandered through the sitting room. Unlike Robin’s quarters, there were very few books here. A few of the coffee table kind, the big weighty things filled with pictures, but that was it. Robin, on the other hand, had a stack of books on his nightstand and another on the floor beside the bed.

  Could it be that Vesta had taken her books with her? Or was it just that reading wasn’t her thing?

  Theo felt she knew the answer to that one.

  She went to the double doors that probably led into the bedroom and opened them. Indeed, the bedroom lay beyond. All the same colors that were in the sitting room adorned the space, though a few shades deeper and with more touches of gold and crystals.

  The bedroom was, in a word, gaudy. Mostly because of the bed. The tall, upholstered headboard was done in white velvet. The tufts were each accented with a glittering crystal surrounded in gold. The bed linens were shiny white satin finished with gold thread. And the coverlet, also white satin, was quilted with an enormous gold V embroidered in the center.

  Theo put her hands on her hips. “That’s not over the top at all.”

  With a bed like that, what on earth was she going to find in the closet? There was only one way to find out. She started looking around. There was a small balcony, nothing like the one accessible from Robin’s side, but maybe his balcony was so large because they’d been meant to share it.

  Another set of double doors stood at the far end of the room. Theo headed in that direction.

  But there was no closet behind them. Instead, Theo found the queen’s bathroom, which was as extravagant as the bedroom. Maybe more. In part because it had a soaking tub shaped like a swan and gold faucets at the tub, sink, and shower that also resembled swans. The floor was a mosaic of blue tiles in different hues, to look like water. Every so often, a green lily-pad-shaped tile broke up the blue. A few had pale pink flowers painted on them.

  Vesta liked a theme.

  Theo left the bathroom to look for the closet again. That’s when she realized that the mirrors on the wall across from the bed might actually be doors. It seemed at least one of them was.

  “Closet door, open.” One of the mirrors swung wide, and a light came on, illuminating the room beyond.

  Theo went through. And stared in amazement. Vesta’s closet was larger than the house Theo had grown up in. The same house she still shared with her father.

  She walked in a little farther. Perhaps the closet just looked so large because it wasn’t completely full. Which wasn’t to say it was empty. Enough clothes filled the closet to open a small boutique. But it would have taken three times as much clothing, shoes, and accessories to call the massive closet full.

  Besides the racks around the walls, a large square island of drawers sat dead center. On top of that was a display of hats on stands. Past that was a sitting area with two plush velvet chairs in the same aqua as the bedroom walls, a bench, a dividing wall that was all shelves of shoes and handbags, and a large three-panel mirror across from the chairs. In front of those mirrors was a raised platform. Apparently so that whoever was on the platform could see themselves better. It felt like something a queen would have.

 
; Theo stood there a moment and had a long look around, turning slowly as she studied it all. She wasn’t sure where to start.

  Not because of the size of the space, but because she didn’t really know what people wore to a dinner party at the home of a former king. A dress seemed like the logical option. But what length? What color? How formal?

  Without answers to any of that, she stared at the array of clothing before her until the colors started to blur. There was too much choice. Being clueless about what was expected at such an event wasn’t helping either.

  Although, maybe she was putting the cart before the horse a bit. She didn’t even know if any of these things would fit her. Probably the best idea was to find something she didn’t hate and try it on.

  She started looking through the rack closest to her. Thankfully, the majority of what was in the closet was dresses. The closet was also fairly well organized by style. Blouses were all together, as were coats, pants, skirts, etc. But the biggest category was dresses.

  Vesta did wear them often. Theo thought back to all the times she’d seen the queen during her public appearances. Always a gown of some kind. Maybe that was a protocol thing? Theo wasn’t sure, but it was working in her favor now.

  She decided she’d start with the shorter ones since those were all in the front anyway. Day length, she thought those were called. But then, what did she know about such things? If there was nothing in the shorter dresses, gowns were at the end.

  Most of what Theo picked through was spangled and embellished to the point she was surprised the fabric could hold up under the weight of the additions. Fairies were well known for their love of all things sparkly, although her mother had been rather conservative in that area.

  Perhaps because their budget hadn’t allowed for such extravagance. Or maybe wearing a uniform to work every day had tempered her desire for anything too excessive.

  Either way, Theo’s tastes were definitely on the simpler side as well. She paused at an emerald-green dress with gold braiding spiraling around the neckline and down the front. Glittering rhinestones accented the spaces between the braiding. She squinted, trying to see past the abundance of extras.