by Day Leclaire
They crossed the border between Celestia and Avernos in the early hours of the morning. Merrick parked near the location of Alyssa’s abduction. Once he had the car secured, he reached into the back for the equipment he’d purchased. His wife stood patiently by while he helped her strap on a pair of night vision goggles and instructed her on their operation. Then he led the way through the woods toward the chapel.
On the edge of the woods, he caught Alyssa’s arm and drew her to a stop. “I doubt there’s anyone around at this hour. But we don’t want to take any chances. So, no talking once we leave the woods. We’re going in low and careful. I take point. You follow. Agreed?” At her nod, he continued. “There’s an underground passageway near the chapel that leads to an interior courtyard. Are you familiar with it?”
“Yes. The private rooms of the palace surround it. They’re keeping my mother in one of the courtyard bedrooms.”
“Do you know which one?”
She frowned. “I might be able to figure it out once we’re there, assuming they haven’t moved her. They kept us separated most of the time. I only had the opportunity to see her once. Considering how upset we both were…” She trailed off and bit her lip.
He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into a swift embrace. “Don’t worry. We’ll find her.” Of course, then they’d have to get away again, backtrack to the car and drive like maniacs for the border. All in a day’s work. “Okay, let’s go. Once we get to the palace courtyard I’ll need you to show me which room is hers.”
The first part went more smoothly than he could have hoped. The chapel appeared deserted and they found the door to the passageway without any problem. It was locked, of course, but he didn’t detect any sort of alarm system, cameras or motion detectors, which surprised him. The lock proved a minor obstacle. He had it picked and open in less than a minute. The next phase of the operation promised to be trickier.
They emerged on the palace side and he signaled Alyssa to wait while he checked the exit. He still couldn’t find any sign of an alarm system and that bothered him more than he cared to admit. Every instinct he possessed warned that their incursion had been too easy. That it was a trap. More than anything, he wanted to turn around and get Alyssa the hell out of here. But he knew, without a single doubt, that the only way she’d leave without her mother was the same way he’d removed her last time—by physical force.
The landscaping of the courtyard offered plenty of cover. Trees and shrubs abounded. He made a swift reconnaissance of the area, familiarizing himself with the layout. There were two doors that accessed the building and here he finally found an alarm system. He examined it carefully and it only added to his growing suspicion.
Hell. He couldn’t see Tolken using something this basic. Not when a pair of wire clippers and a remote device could disarm it. They’d both been trained better than that. He returned to the passageway.
“What’s wrong?” she whispered the minute he crouched beside her.
“It’s a trap.”
“Where? How?”
“The alarm system is too dated. I can punch through it in no time.”
“But that’s good.”
He sighed. “They know we’re coming and they’re waiting for us. We should leave.”
“Not without my mother.” And then she played the one card he couldn’t trump. “You promised. You gave me your word.”
“I did. And I’ll keep it. But I want you out of harm’s way.”
Her mouth tightened. “You mean, you want me to return to the car.”
“And leave if I’m not back within thirty minutes.”
She shook her head. “Good try, but I’m staying.”
“Alyssa—”
“We’re wasting time, Merrick. Let’s get in there, grab my mom and get the hell out before we’re discovered.”
He could feel her anxiety, sense how close to the edge she’d slipped. If they had any hope of succeeding, they needed to act. Now. Catching her hand in his, he lifted it and kissed her ring. It sparkled in the subdued light, a rainbow flash of joy that mirrored his memories of their wedding night. It helped center him, filling him with determination.
“Okay, Princess. Listen up. Once we’re in the courtyard, I’m going to give you a moment to get your bearings. There are two doors. One will be to your left, the other directly in front of you. See if you can remember which is closest to the room where they were keeping your mother. Ready?”
At her nod, they exited the passageway and slipped into the deep shadow of an ornamental cherry tree that overhung a koi pond. She scanned the area and then pointed toward the door to their left. As promised, he disabled the alarm in minutes. He went through the door first, ready for anything.
The corridor was empty. Not good. It only heightened his sense of dread. This wasn’t going to end well. He knew it with a gut-deep certainty. The worst part was putting Alyssa at risk, which was why he’d deliberately left his weapon behind. At the first sign of trouble, he intended to surrender. In the meantime, he’d let it play out and hope he could negotiate a reasonable resolution if the situation went sour.
She tugged at his arm and pointed to a room farther down the corridor. He nodded in acknowledgement. Keeping her behind him, he approached the door she’d indicated. Ever so carefully he turned the knob. It held firm. Precious seconds were eaten up as he picked the lock. The deadbolt snicked home and he eased the door open. The room lay in total darkness and yet with his night vision goggles he could see a woman standing rigid in the middle of the room. The only thing she lacked was a sign hung around her neck that read, “cheese.”
Before he could stop her, Alyssa brushed past him and darted toward the woman. “Mom!”
He swore. Instantly, the lights flashed on, blinding him. He tore off his goggles, not that it helped. His vision was gone and all he could do was brace himself for the inevitable. They took him down. Hard. They’d left nothing to chance this time. There were a full dozen men who moved with a fluid coordination that warned that their attack had been expertly planned and executed. He didn’t fight them. There was no point. They finally dragged him to his feet, not too bruised, his hands cuffed behind him.
Tolken stood beside the two women, both of whom were weeping as they embraced. “This was the second most foolish thing you’ve ever done, Your Highness,” he commented.
“And the first?” As if he didn’t know.
“Abducting Princess Alyssa, of course.”
Merrick would miss their friendship, could hear the finality of its passing in Tolk’s voice. “I’d have to disagree with you there.” He attempted a smile, then winced as it tugged at his newly split lip. “That may have been the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”
“You will change your mind after Prince Brandt is through with you.”
Merrick’s smile faded. “Or he’ll change his when I’m done with him.”
Tolken escorted Merrick and the two women through the palace. They ended up in a large, richly appointed office. Von Folke sat behind his desk, nursing a drink. He stood as they filed into the room, studying each of them in turn. His attention settled on Alyssa.
“Are you all right, my dear? Montgomery didn’t harm you?”
His undisguised warmth surprised her, as did the tenderness underscoring his words. What in the world was going on? “I’m fine, thank you,” she replied cautiously.
His gaze shifted to Merrick and all warmth and tenderness vanished. Raw fury gleamed in the inky darkness of his eyes, fury he barely held in check. “You stole my wife, you son of a bitch.”
Alyssa shuddered. She’d heard a similar tone used only once before. Ironically, it had come from Merrick when Tolken and his men had burst into their bedroom that first morning at the cottage and one of the guards had dared to put his hands on her.
“I stole your bride,” Merrick corrected. “There’s a difference.”
Brandt lunged before his men could stop him. He grabbed Merrick by the throat and
slammed his back against the wall. “She isn’t just my bride, you bastard. She’s my wife. You dare deny it?”
“Your wife? Hell, yes, I deny it.” To Alyssa’s relief, Merrick didn’t fight back. She suspected if he had, Prince Brandt would have taken him apart, piece by precious piece. “What are you talking about?”
“You snuck into my home in the middle of the night and you took her from me. She was with you when my men found her. In your bed.” A primal rage exuded from von Folke. “You may have taken advantage of her since our wedding night but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s my wife. You put your hands on my woman. And I will see that you burn in hell for that.”
Merrick’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, I abducted her, but not in the middle of the night.” He spoke slow and clear, a hint of cold arrogance bleeding into his words. “And FYI…She’s not your wife.”
Brandt’s hand fisted and for a split second Alyssa was certain he intended to use it to pound Merrick’s face. Gathering himself, he released Merrick and took a step back, the breath heaving in and out of his lungs. His fight for control was impressive to watch. Bit by bit he regained command of himself, banking the fierce anger that held him in its grip in order to consider the situation logically.
“I’ve never before known you to flat-out lie, Merrick,” he said after several endless minutes had passed. “In consideration of our former association and out of respect for the faithfulness with which you have served our country, I’ll give you a single opportunity to justify your actions. After that, I promise you, life will become very painful.”
In response, Merrick pulled himself up into a military stance, wincing as he did so. “First, you didn’t marry Alyssa Sutherland. I can’t be any clearer than that. As for justifying my actions, you know damn well why I took her from you.” His voice held undisguised condemnation. “The people of Verdonia deserve a fair election, not one orchestrated by you. I was honor bound to stop you, and I did. End of story.”
“I have no intention of debating politics with you. That can wait for a more opportune time. At this point, all that matters is the harm you’ve brought to my wife and the lies you’re telling about her.” Brandt stalked across the room and took a stance at Alyssa’s side. “I married this woman two weeks and one day ago. Bishop Varney performed the ceremony. Afterward, she retired to her room where she remained…attended to the entire time.”
“You mean, under guard?”
The taunt sent dark color sweeping across Brandt’s cheekbones. “I was with her that night. I should know who I married.” He laced Alyssa’s hand in his. “She even wears my ring.”
She lifted the hand he held for everyone to see. Her amethyst and diamond studded wedding band glittered in the subdued light. “You’re mistaken, Prince Brandt.”
He gripped her fingers, staring in disbelief. “What have you done with the wedding ring I gave you?” he demanded.
“You never gave me one.”
“Explain!”
“Merrick’s right. I never made it to the ceremony. He abducted—I mean, I escaped with him before the wedding took place.”
“That’s not possible.” Brandt said the words automatically, but they lacked his former heat. “You were there. At the ceremony. We said our vows.”
She shook her head. “I wasn’t. I never married you.”
“The earrings. The tracking device.” He struggled as though finding his footing on shifting sand. “That’s how we located you after Montgomery’s abduction later that night.”
“You gave me those earrings before we married,” she reminded him. “Think back. Did you see them on at any other point? During the ceremony? Afterward? When we were together on our wedding night?”
He shook his head, his mouth compressing. “How do I know you aren’t lying?”
“I have no way of proving what I say, if that’s what you mean. But I assure you, I’m not lying. I’ve only ever married one man and it wasn’t you.”
“Who?” His infuriated gaze shifted. “Montgomery? You married him?”
Merrick took the opportunity to shrug off the guards restraining him. “Yes, she married me. Now take your damn hands off my wife!”
Brandt stilled, his expression icing over. “Everyone out.” He signaled to the guards. “Escort Mrs. Barstow to her room. Princess Alyssa will remain behind.”
“No!” Angela cried. “I want to be with my daughter.”
Brandt dropped a hand to her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “It’s only for a short time.” To Alyssa’s surprise, the prince’s manner had softened perceptively. “Please don’t worry. This will all end very soon and then you may return home.”
“Do you promise?”
He inclined his head. “I promise.” He glanced at Tolken. “You and Prince Merrick stay, as well.”
They waited while Alyssa’s mother and the guards exited the room. The door clicked loudly in the sudden silence. “Hold him,” Brandt ordered Tolken, indicating Merrick.
As soon as Merrick was secured, he turned to Alyssa. “Allow me to apologize in advance, Princess. But I need to verify your claim.”
Her alarmed gaze slammed into Merrick’s. “How?”
Brandt gestured toward her jeans. “Unzip them.”
Merrick’s howl of fury raised the hair on the back of her neck. He fought Tolken, fought with a wild recklessness that terrified her. It took all Tolken’s strength to restrain him. If it hadn’t been for the cuffs, he wouldn’t have succeeded.
“Stop!” Alyssa cried. “Merrick, don’t. It’s not worth it.”
His eyes were crazed, the gold burning so bright it hurt to look at them. “I swear to God, von Folke, if you touch her, I’ll kill you.”
“He’s not going to touch me. I won’t let him.” She ripped at the snap of her jeans and yanked down the zipper. She glared at Prince Brandt. “There, I’ve done it. Now, what do you want?”
He stood in front of her, blocking her from the view of the other two men. “Show me your left hip. The woman I married had a tattoo there.”
She did as he requested, tugging the denim along her side down an uncomfortable few inches. An embarrassed flush stained her cheeks. “Satisfied?”
“The other hip, if you will.” As soon as she’d complied, he stepped back, thinking hard. “There are such things as temporary tattoos, are there not?”
“Yes,” Alyssa acknowledged, refastening her jeans.
“Then there’s no way to be certain yours wasn’t temporary, unless…” He faced her with stony resolve. “Again I must apologize, Alyssa. If there were any other way, I’d take it.”
“What are you going to do?” she asked warily.
A slight smile softened the harshness of his features. “Make your husband—assuming he is your husband—extremely angry.”
Her chin shot up. “And me, as well, I suspect.”
He inclined his head. “And you, as well.”
He didn’t give her time to retreat. Cupping her face between his hands, he bent down and, with Merrick’s curses ringing in their ears, he kissed her. He took his time, tracing her lips with his, first gently and then with a hint of passion. She stood, enduring it, praying all the while that Tolken was a hell of a lot stronger than Merrick.
After an endless moment, Brandt straightened and took a step back. Then he turned and faced Merrick. “It would appear your wife is telling the truth. She’s not the woman I married.” His attention shifted to Tolken. “Your men have some explaining to do.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll get the facts as soon as we’re done here.”
“Give me a timeline, Montgomery,” Brandt ordered. “When, where, how.”
“Very well.” Merrick shrugged free of Tolken’s grasp. “May twentieth, thirteen-thirty. I infiltrated the woods behind the chapel garden. Your bride and one of her guards moved from the courtyard into the garden. I disabled him and—” A hard, fierce smile tugging at the scar on the side of his mouth. His anger had subsided, th
ough not by much. She could still hear the remnants of it, undermining the tattered scraps of his self-control. “And liberated your bride-to-be.”
“I cooperated fully,” Alyssa insisted.
Brandt held up his hand. “Good try. But considering your mother was my…guest, I doubt you’d have willingly left without her.”
“Merrick insisted you wouldn’t harm her.”
“Did he?” The question held a trace of amusement. “And you believed him?”
“Yes.”
“Admirable.” He gestured to Merrick. “Continue. You forgot to mention the men you had with you.”
“I operated on my own.”
“A lie, but an understandable one, given the circumstances.” He addressed Tolken, not bothering to conceal his intense displeasure. “Clearly, one of your men neglected to report this. You’ll find out who and deal with it.”
“I used a modified tranquilizer dart,” Merrick offered. “The subject is only rendered unconscious for a short time. He could have believed he’d fainted or blacked out for some reason, and since your bride was still present and safe when he came to, he was too embarrassed to report it. Regardless, I drove Alyssa to the safe house where your men found us the next morning.”
“At which point you—how did you refer to it before? Ah, yes. You liberated my helicopter and flew to Celestia.”
Merrick inclined his head. “We appreciated the loan.”
Alyssa stifled a groan. “For God’s sake, do you have to go out of your way to provoke him?”
“When did the two of you marry?” Brandt asked.
“Two days ago.”
“I assume you can prove the legality of it?”
“I can.”
“In that case, I only have one final question.”
Merrick bared his teeth in a mock grin. “Always happy to help.”
“Just out of curiosity…” Brandt strolled closer, the expression in his eyes causing Alyssa to shudder. “Whom did I marry?”
Nine
Merrick shrugged. “Some woman I picked up. I don’t remember her name.”