Disenchanted

by Susan Carroll

  But I was too late to intercept the majordomo. I do not know how the little man had managed to slip away so quickly, especially with the crowd still gathered outside my fence. But by the time I made my way down the garden walk, the majordomo was disappearing into the royal carriage.

  Florian, however, was still there, holding court among my neighbors. I dreaded to think what the prince might be saying, but when I appeared, a loud cheer aroused from the crowd. I froze in dismay as Florian turned to grin at me. Propping one hand atop the gate, he vaulted over it. Before I could prevent him, he pounced upon me. Dipping me back over his arm, his mouth crashed down upon mine.

  I managed to lock my lips together, like the portcullis on a besieged castle slamming closed. Florian’s tongue battered futilely against the hard seal of my mouth. He finally gave up. Smirking, he released me so suddenly, I staggered to keep my balance. I realized this little performance was more for the benefit of the crowd, to salvage the prince’s wounded pride. But what about my pride?

  My face flamed bright red as my neighbors and even the royal guard whistled and applauded. Florian strutted out the gate, flinging his hands in the air as though he was some sort of conquering hero.

  To my utter dismay, someone in the crowd yelled out, “Three cheers for Ella Upton, our princess and future queen.”

  The shout was swiftly taken up by the rest of the group. “Princess Ella! Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah!”

  “No! No! No!” I cried, but no one could hear me. I bit my lip in frustration, wondering how this situation could possibly get any worse. Then toward the back of the crowd, I spotted a familiar upright figure mounted atop a roan-colored horse.

  “Horatio.” His name escaped me in a choked whisper. I started to run forward, determined to fight my way to his side. But I never even got as far as the gate before I froze, remembering Florian’s threat.

  I would hate to have to fight for you, Ella, but I would. I would slay any man in the kingdom to win you.

  I tried to meet Horatio’s gaze over the heads of the cheering crowd, desperately seeking to convey to him that none of this was as it appeared. But Horatio had already brought his mount around, heading back toward Midtown. All I could I do was watch helplessly as he rode away, the expression I had glimpsed on his face enough to break my heart.

  The man who had declared that I filled his life with color, looked as though I had just reduced his entire world to ash.

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