I sat up straight against the headboard, clutching the sheet to my bosom, feeling slightly betrayed. Conrad had told me he didn’t know the Bourbon Princess; why would his mother claim he loved her?
“Mutter, Vater; this is a little awkward, but may I introduce you to her Serene Highness, the Princess Sapphira Grimaldi de Monaco.”
All the color drained from his mother’s face. Both his parents looked completely shocked.
“Wilhelm, it’s her!”
“Welcome to Schloss Lichtenstein, Prinzessin,” his father said, his mouth covered by a bushy mustache. “We apologize for the intrusion.”
I couldn’t help but think all he needed was a monocle and a stein of beer and he would be the perfect caricature of the quaint old German man.
He swabbed his brow with a handkerchief. “Come, little dove. Let us go for some air.” He turned to his son. “We’ll see you downstairs shortly.”
“What was that?” I said.
“My apologies.” He kissed my hand. “Allow me a moment, and then we’ll go for a ride and I’ll explain.”
He quickly pulled on his trousers and coat and stepped into the corridor, closing the door softly. Behind him, I heard a flurry of steps and frantic whispering coming from some of the servants.
An hour later Conrad returned to collect me, and we mounted his horse. The rain had stopped and I watched, fascinated, as the scenery rushed past, a trail of limestone, dense beech forest, moss and juniper bushes. All the birds and woodland creatures scattered as they heard us winding down the Swabian Alb on horseback. It was warm for fall, and I felt beads of sweat form on my hairline as my long blonde curls fell in waves over my shoulder. Conrad had said nothing as of yet. I had peppered him with enquiries as we rode, but he dismissed me in his moody way. As we rode, the mist became thicker, lingering heavy in the air, like the unspoken questions twirling in my brain.
The edge of a lake appeared, and Conrad stopped the horse and helped me down. I paced back and forth a couple of times and finally sat down in the grass while he fiddled with the reigns.
“All right, time to spill,” I said, moving to the rock overlooking the crag. “What was that about an engagement party, and why did your parents suddenly change their tune?”
Conrad looked up. “I don’t understand.”
“Never mind. Why did your parents react that way?”
“Oh, that. I was given a threat months ago. Marry Maria or else. As I told you, it would make an excellent alliance. They insisted I settle into my responsibilities. I planned to court you instead just as we discussed originally when we met which is why I returned when I did and found you hurt. Anyway, after you rode off with the Comte, I returned as well but a summons had arrived, and so, before I could speak with you mother and Nico about us, I had to leave.
“A summons from who?”
“My parents. I thought something had happened but when I arrived home it was to an engagement party—mine.”
The horse whinnied and blew at us, shuddering its skin. Conrad patted the horse before freeing him from the harness to graze.
“I don’t understand.”
“I didn’t either.” He clarified. I thought Principessa Maria was in Venice and didn’t understand how such an announcement could be made without her family present.” He was quiet for a moment, and then his hand touched mine lightly.
“So, what happened?” I asked.
“Vater said he understood my reservations over the prospect of marrying a foreigner, so he spoke to my uncle, King William, and arranged a meeting with Karl Von Weizsäcker, who served as Prime Minister to the King. Together, they determined I would wed the Prime Minister’s eldest daughter, Marianne.”
My mouth hung open.
“Yes, I was stunned too, completely taken by surprise,” he said.
I fidgeted with my dress. Thinking of the conflicting information we’d found on Sapphira’s and Conrad’s union. What if my interference had changed things somehow?
“It was around midnight when Vater made his announcement. There had been much to drink, and the guests clapped and cheered at the prospect of our union.”
He paused and I wondered why he was nervous to go on.
I placed my hand on his to give him courage. The warmth that shot through my fingers at the touch sent a jolt through my body.
“They never dreamed I would protest, especially in good company, but I did. I broke from Marianne’s grip, apologized to her and everyone, and announced I was not free to propose because…”
“Because?”
“Because I was engaged to someone else.”
He turned toward me and looked into my eyes.
“Someone else.” Who else could there be? “The Bourbon Princess,” I blurted out.
He smiled. “No. I told them about Monaco and my time at the palace with you.”
“With me?” I stood suddenly, surprising myself. Conrad jumped to his feet as well, grabbing my hand.
“Yes, they had of course heard of you; everyone in Baden-Württemberg knows of your family.” There was a new light in his eyes as he spoke. “Then I did something that I hope you’ll forgive.”
“What?” I pulled my hand away.
“I told an untruth and suggested that I had asked and received your hand in marriage.”
“You what?”
“It’s unforgiveable. I apologize. It wasn’t a complete fabrication. I had planned to speak with your mother and Nico about it, but then I was called away. I don’t know how I shall resolve this, but I promise to do it. I only hope that you’ll forgive me. I’m not the kind of man who shirks his duty; it’s only that I felt—”
“You felt trapped. I get it.”
“I could never marry that plain mouse of a girl.”
“Always happy to be someone’s scapegoat,” I snorted.
“What? You could never be a goat. I do not always understand these Monegasque phrases. I was in love with you—am still in love with you. That’s why they were excited to meet you. I told them I was expected next month at the castle and they would meet you then. They never expected to find you, a royal Prinzessin, here, especially in such a compromising position. So, naturally, they thought I found some village girl to bed before settling down.”
“Naturally.”
“And they were disgusted I had disgraced you under their roof and allowed the servants to gossip.”
“How did you expect to pull this off?” I inquired.
“I hadn’t really time to think. I planned to return to Monaco to propose, but first I needed a ring, which was the reason I called on Großmutter. Then the schloss was robbed by those gypsies, and I found you,” he said, almost as an afterthought. “That’s why I was so bothered when I thought you had run away with another.”
“So, your parents believe we’re engaged?”
He faced me, gathering up both of my hands in his. “This isn’t customary. Neither is what I am going to suggest, but it seems that since they’ve seen us together, they’re pushing for an immediate wedding, before your family discovers I’ve compromised you. It’s underhanded and sneaky but I would do anything to be with you. After spending more time with you I’m positive you are the only one for me.”
Getting down on one knee, he lifted his face, gently pulling something from his pocket.
“Sapphira, meine libeling, will you marry me?”
“Huh?” A strangled cry escaped my throat. The intricate diamond gleamed in the sun. He took my finger and slipped it on.
I turned my head away from him.
“Wait, we—.”
“Sapphira?” His voice pulled me from my reverie, reminding me our relationship was a lie. I wanted to be with him but he thought I was another.
“Schatz, what is it?” His face grew angry, and I had the feeling of déjà vu. “You do not want to marry me!”
“I do.”
His face relaxed.
“But I have something to tell you, and it’s going to ruin
the moment,” I admitted. “And you’re not going to believe me. It’s really… well, it’s unbelievable.”
“More so than my tale? Please, go on,” he said, standing up, his voice teetering with nerves.
I stood staring, rotating my gaze between him and the ring on my finger, wondering how to come out with the truth.
“I’m not from here,” I blurted.
He laughed. “Not this again. I’ve been to your home in Monaco.” Relief momentarily flooded his face before being replaced by a frown. “That bump isn’t still affecting you, is it?”
“No, that’s not what I mean.” I shook my head. “I’m not from this time. There’s a portal, and I fell through it. Well, I didn’t fall exactly. I was pushed off a cliff. When I woke, I was here—well, not here, but here, as in the nineteenth century in Monaco. I’m from the future. The girl you met originally and fell in love with—the one who danced in the red dress and agreed to marriage—that was Sapphira. Not me. The girl you found at the bottom of the stairs, that was me. I’d just fallen through time.” I was gasping, half-sobbing, becoming less coherent by the second. “There’s something bad going on in Monaco and someone is threatening to kill Saphira if she doesn’t marry them. I found the name of an alchemist in Sapphira’s diary and I went in search of a spell to get me home because he’s—he’s a—” I stuttered, grasping for a term he would understand, “a sorcerer.”
“A sorcerer!” he repeated, in shock.
“Yes, and I asked him to return me to my own time but he couldn’t. Instead he gave me this potion that would basically help me escape the Palace if they took me prisoner again.” I felt a surge of hysteria swooping through my intestines, looping under my ribs like a rollercoaster on fire. “But I woke up here in the middle of the forest instead. That’s when those bandits found me. Well?” I asked.
He blinked, unmoving.
“I’m Sophia Marcil, not Sapphira Grimaldi. I’m a University student, studying to be a librarian or I was until I dropped out to go on this trip. I even read about you in a history book before I came…” My voice trailed off until I was mumbling. “Do you understand?”
“No. Why? How?”
“I don’t know exactly. Rochus said it’s because of this sapphire. He called it the faerie stone.” I pointed to my ring. “Can you believe that?”
“No,” he then said softly.
His face, inches from mine, resembled a statue: silent, cold and devoid of emotion.
“No!” I blazed. “No? Well, I can understand that. I had a hard time believing it myself.”
He just looked at me.
“I’m crazy, aren’t I? That’s what you think. Why would I tell you this? I’m such a dope,” I said, smacking myself in the head.
“Sapphira,” he said, gently grabbing hold of me.
I looked up, surprised that he hadn’t left me here in the middle of the Swabian Alb. His eyes bulged out of his head, and I realized he was creeped out by me.
He took me by the hand and slid Gigi’s ring from it, studying it in the light.
“Let’s return to the schloss. I’m sure Mutter will be worried by now, and you need a rest before dinner.”
“What? That’s all you have to say?”
Where were the questions, and the shouts of outrage? Instead there was just this eerie calm, and why did he just take my ring and pocket it.
My blood ran cold.
EIGHTEEN
M oonlight spilled in through the Graf’s chambers causing the window’s small diamond panes to glitter and I couldn’t help but think that if the situation weren’t so awful, it would have been romantic. We’d returned to the schloss and, wordlessly, Conrad had left me like a punk ass bitch. But then again, how could I have expected him to believe such an outlandish tale? My own stupidity was going to see me killed.
At least my stomach was full. One of the servants had brought me a tray of fried onion, sausage and raisin bread and shortly after that she’d helped me change into something more comfortable.
Now I paced the cold stone floor. Waiting as it grew darker to see what would happen next. Gigi always said I was intuitive and my gut was screaming loud and clear. Nothing good was coming.
He was probably in town right now, leading a mob with pitchforks, preparing to have me locked away. I paused in front of the ornately carved door. For a moment I let my panicked thoughts take over. What if the history books were right? What if he really was Sapphira’s killer? Now what? I could run, but without my ring I was stuck in this time. Not to mention, I didn’t have the slightest clue how to get through the Black Forest, let alone all the way back to Monaco. My gosh, travel between the two places probably took at least a week on horseback and that was people who were from here and knew how to ride and camp and survive Lynx attacks.
Chills teased at my neck. Pacing over to the hearth, I grabbed the fire iron and prodded randomly at the glowing coals. They scattered and dimmed slightly. I made a decision—I would sleep and leave in the wee hours of the morning when the rest of the castle slept. I was sure I could convince someone in the next town over to help me get back to the Palace. I’d just have to try and find the original stone once I was there and if that failed then perhaps Rochus would take mercy on me and whip up a spell.
I jolted awake; frightened by the awareness that someone had barged into my room. Instant, sweat-soaking fear gripped me. A black shape yanked me from my bed. I landed in a heap at his feet before being picked up and pushed against the wall. Three gulps passed, and nothing more happened. I remained pinned.
My eyes adjusted to the dark.
“Conrad?”
The curtains were ajar, and the faint glow of the moon stole the warmth from his fiery, green eyes. The smells of beer and black licorice emanated from him. Without warning, he released me.
“Are you a boszorkany—a witch?”
I gaped at him. “A witch? You… you think I’m a witch?”
He took me by the shoulders and gripped me hard, staring into my eyes as though willing an answer.
“I need to know. Tell me!”
“Naturally you would think that,” I murmured through dry lips. “No! Of course not! There are no such things as witches. Religious zealots only used that as an excuse to persecute women.”
A ridge of flesh grew above his nose as his eyebrows pinched together. “What?”
“Never mind that!” I said, violently, allowing anger to color my voice. “Who’s this?” I said, noticing another pair of eyes in the room.
“We’re checking you for the devil’s mark. Undress, girl,” she said, coldly.
“What! No!”
“Calm yourself. She is a God-fearing woman. If you speak the truth then there is nothing to fear.”
“Conrad, please.”
“There’s a group of drunken men in town who’ll gladly take over if you prefer. Which shall it be?” the old woman croaked in a raspy voice.
Conrad nodded to the woman. “Say a prayer first,” he instructed her, bowing his head and reciting the words. I didn’t flinch or make a sound. This man who I had more feelings for than I’d ever had for Nick, didn’t believe me. He was going to humiliate me and do God knows what else.
She finished the prayer, and they opened their eyes. Mine had defiantly remained open.
“Undress.” The word erupted again from her throat.
Tears filled my eyes as well as Conrad’s. He rubbed at the back of his head, suddenly looking upset.
I gathered the nightgown at the bottom, preparing to lift it over my head.
“Wait!” Conrad said. He turned to the woman. “Leave.”
“But you said—”
“I know what I said. Now leave. Speak of this to no one. I’ll check myself. You can keep the coin.”
I slid to the floor, wrapping my arms tightly around my knees.
“Are you all right?” he asked, softly.
I snorted and looked away from him.
“When were you born?”<
br />
“In the twentieth century.” I replied, tersely.
Placing his finger under my chin, he raised my eyes enough so I could see his face.
“I’ve been a fool,” he said, firmly. “Please forgive me, So-phi-a.” He stretched the syllables of my name out, over-pronouncing every letter to mimic how I said it. Then he fished in his pocket for a moment and then handed me Gigi’s ring.
I tried to speak and instead sobbed harder.
“Come here,” he said.
I squirmed but he was persistent.
I was still sobbing when he gathered me up and held me tightly against him, pushing my head tighter to him.
At last, I calmed down, “So you believe me now?”
He smiled down at me. His mouth trembled slightly, but he smiled. “Well, it’s a lot to comprehend but you don’t talk or behave as though you are from here. What is a dope?”
I laughed at his pronunciation, feeling the tension release. “Damn it, I thought you were the one on the hot seat today.” I wiped away the tears spilling down my cheeks.
“See?” he laughed. “What does sitting on heat have to do with this?”
I laughed again, but he looked at me, puzzled.
“Would you explain more? I must admit I am confused.”
I was exhausted, but I forced myself to tell him again everything that had happened, and all about Nick I explained the history books had implied that Conrad was the one who killed the Princess as well as himself. I told him about my initial awakening at the palace and the man’s whispered threats, right up to the alchemist and waking up to the bandits in the Black Forest. I felt numb from going through every detail, but I was relieved to share.
He stroked and patted me back into silence. “So, that’s why you were running away from the palace?” he said, suddenly. “You were trying to get home.”
“Yes. I couldn’t tell you the whole truth.” I was beginning to feel drowsy, and I lay down.
“Do you think you can ever forgive me for this? I still want to marry you.”
I thought about it. “In my time, people don’t really get married at twenty anymore, so the idea of marriage is a little strange to me. However, if I’m going to remain here in 1857 then I’ll need to fit in and I would very much like to be with you so yes, I will marry you, Conrad.
Cruel Fortunes Omnibus: Volumes One to Four Page 12