The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea (The Four Kingdoms Book 1)

by Melanie Cellier

  Turning he strode the short length of the balcony and back to my side. He looked down into my face and I could see him wrestling with some inner turmoil.

  “I don’t care anymore,” he said, his voice deep and rough with emotion. “I’m sick of fighting it.”

  “Fighting what?” I asked, confused but breathless from the intense emotion in his eyes.

  “This,” he said and took the final step forward.

  Suddenly his arms were around me, pressing me close against him and for a moment he held me there, looking down into my face. Then his head moved downwards and mine moved upwards and we were kissing.

  It was everything I had imagined and nothing like I had imagined at the same time. I suddenly knew with absolute certainty that I never wanted to kiss any other man. Max was it for me – would always be it.

  One of my hands moved upwards into his soft, thick hair and he tightened his grip in response. I was suspended in time, the moment endless – until suddenly it was over. Max let me go and fell back a step, panting.

  We stared at each other.

  “This changes nothing, of course,” he said sadly. “It doesn’t matter if I love you, I’m still the prince. Tomorrow night I’ll be engaged to Ava and I don’t know how I’ll bear to even look at you after that. It will be too painful.”

  All the warmth seemed to drain instantly from my body and I felt my flushed cheeks paling. I couldn’t seem to focus. He loved me? The wonder of it made it hard to think.

  But he was right, of course, and I had always known it. It didn’t matter how we felt – we couldn’t be together. I wished I hadn’t let him kiss me. I wasn’t sure I could bear the empty, bleak look that had replaced the passion in Max’s eyes. Not on top of my own pain.

  He turned away and I did nothing to stop him. What was there to say? For a moment he turned back and reached out a hand towards me. But then he let it drop and left the balcony with heavy steps.

  I stayed where I was and slowly the minutes turned into an hour. I was so absorbed in the wonder of my own blindness I didn’t even notice the passing time.

  I relived every tiny hint Max had dropped. Every warm look, every outburst of jealousy. I had been so sure that Max thought of me as a sister.

  Suddenly I remembered Felix. How horrible to think that I was what had come between them! I decided to talk to Felix about it. I wasn’t sure what I would say but I would think of something.

  The minutes continued to creep by. After I had examined every moment, every conversation, I realised there was something else, buried underneath. I began to worry at it, pressing down until the emotion sprang fully into life. Anger.

  Max had said he loved me but what good was love if it didn’t motivate you to action? If he loved me so much, why wouldn’t he fight for me? He was so certain we could never be together. But he had never even tried.

  I embraced the anger. It was invigorating. But slowly the deep lethargy of my sorrow returned. Of course I wanted him to fight for me but at the same time I loved him for who he was. He wouldn’t be Max without his sense of duty to his kingdom.

  I sank back into listlessness.

  Many more minutes passed.

  It must be very late, I thought. I was sure I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight but Lily and Sophie would worry if they found my bed unslept in. Mechanically I turned away from the balcony.

  Chapter 27

  I hadn’t been paying attention when Max had led me to the balcony so it took me a moment to orient myself. I was near the guest wing and I realised with grim humour that Princess Ava was sleeping just down the hall. I wondered if her mattress had been replaced and then shook myself. What did I care about a mattress when my whole world was collapsing?

  Slowly I moved down the hallway. After a moment I heard whispered voices and realised I wasn’t the only one awake. I couldn’t bear to face anyone or answer any questions so I drew back into a niche in the wall. The space was filled by a statue on a pedestal and I slipped behind it. Two figures passed me. They came from further down the guest hallway and they stopped not far from my hiding place, facing an intersection of passageways.

  “Take the left branch and follow it all the way to the end. There’s a door that will let you out into the yard.” I started in surprise, almost banging my head on one of the outstretched arms of the statue. It was Princess Ava.

  I drew back further into the shadows and held my breath, straining to hear above my now rapidly beating heart. The voice was familiar but also different. It was still musical but it was no longer sweet. Instead it was hard and cold.

  This is my chance! I thought exultantly. She’s clearly talking to one of her own people and thinks they’re alone. The engagement hasn’t been announced yet - if I can overhear something to convince the king, I can still save Max.

  “You were a fool to come into the palace in the first place,” Ava continued, “and I don’t suffer fools gladly.”

  “I’m sorry, my lady,” said her companion. “But one of my men in the palace was taken into custody. There’s a chance your position will be compromised.”

  “I heard you the first time,” snapped Ava. “But the people here are soft. They are blinded by kindness. They won’t break him.”

  “I trust you are right. He’s not the brightest of my men but he knows how I repay traitors,” said the man in a voice nearly as cold as the princess’s own.

  Something about the timbre of his voice stirred a memory. I strained to bring it to the surface but it hovered just out of reach.

  “I’m always right, Joran,” said Ava. “The ball is tomorrow night and I confidently expect an engagement to be announced. You shouldn’t be in Arcadie at all – there’s a chance someone might recognise you and I won’t have my plans overset. You should return to the forest at once.”

  Her mention of the forest brought the memory rushing back. I recognised the man’s voice because this was the second time I had inadvertently spied on one of his secret assignations. The princess was talking to Claud’s employer.

  I hadn’t thought it possible but my heartbeat sped up. My excitement was now tinged with fear and I pressed my body more firmly against the wall.

  “Once our engagement is announced I’ll send Secretary Leopold back to Rangmere. He’ll have played his part by then and I can’t bear having the fool around me.”

  “A fool, maybe, but one who inspires trust,” commented Joran.

  “I know that,” retorted Ava, “why do you think I brought him? After that botched business at the Winter Castle King Henry has been suspicious.”

  I could tell from her tone of recrimination that she blamed Joran for Claud’s discovery and capture.

  “Set some of your men to watch the road. When you see Leopold pass by, you’ll know it’s time to bring your men into Arcadie. Have them in full livery. They’ll have to pose as my ceremonial guard until after the wedding.”

  “And the rest of the men, the ones waiting at the border?”

  “They can stay there for now. There’ll be plenty of time to bring them in after I’m married.”

  Men in the forest? Men at the border? It was even worse than I had feared. She talked as if Rangmere was planning a complete annexation of Arcadia. Those bandit attacks! I thought. They must have been the work of this man and his troops in the forest.

  A sharp spasm stabbed through my calf. I squeezed my eyes shut and fought against the pain. My tense stillness had brought on the cramp but I didn’t dare move and hardly dared to breathe I was so afraid of being discovered.

  Gritting my teeth, I forced my muscles to relax, one by one. But my body had no sooner relaxed than I tensed again, startled by the sound of a door further down the guest corridor.

  Both Ava and her companion started also and the man cursed under his breath.

  “You stay here,” he said quietly. “I’m going to check it out.”

  “No, you fool, come back,” hissed the princess. “I’ve already told you – you could
ruin everything if you’re seen. It’s almost certainly one of my staff. I’ll take care of it.”

  Joran had already passed my hiding place on his way back down the corridor but at her words he turned around. And as he turned, his glance raked across the niche where I was hiding. He swore more loudly this time and pounced forward.

  I screamed but it came out without volume because I had been holding my breath. I tried to run but the statue blocked my escape and Joran caught my arm. I tried to pull away but he yanked me back hard and I fell, hitting my head on the statue.

  Dazed, I struggled to get to my feet but Joran was already standing over me. He dragged me up and out into the corridor. I drew in a breath to scream and he quickly pulled me against his body. With one hand he held me around the waist, my back against his stomach and with the other he covered my mouth.

  I fought hard, kicking back against his legs and pulling against the hand covering my mouth but my efforts made no impact. My head was still ringing from the blow it had received and my kicks had no force.

  “It seems we have a spy, your highness,” said Joran calmly. “Shall I dispose of her?”

  I struggled harder but with no better result.

  “No,” said Ava sharply, “I recognise her. This is the Princess Companion. Now what are you doing here, Alyssa?” she asked, her voice dropping into a sickening parody of her usual sweet tones.

  “She must have heard everything,” objected Joran.

  “I’m not suggesting we let her go,” said Ava, the coldness back in her tone. “But the royal family all seem to have an attachment to her. I won’t have her harmed – I suspect she’ll be very valuable in days to come.”

  Joran grunted a question and Ava sighed. “To keep the king and my darling husband-to-be in line, of course. I suspect young Max will do anything I command if I threaten Alyssa.”

  I could hear the pleasure in her voice and was nearly sick.

  “The ball is less than twenty-four hours away. Tie her up, gag her and stash her in my closet. My own servants tend to my rooms so no one will find her there. I can recover her after the announcement. A day without food or water won’t harm her beyond repair. And once the announcement has been made there’ll be nothing she can do. If Arcadia tries to draw back from a public alliance, it will be grounds for a declaration of war. We can drop the whole charade completely.”

  She shrugged. “Father would rather I married into the throne legitimately, but I’m not sure I want to be saddled with the tiresome prince. Either way we get Arcadia.”

  “Your father won’t be happy if the marriage doesn’t go ahead,” warned Joran.

  “I don’t care,” snapped Ava. “I’m handing him Arcadia on a silver platter, he should be grateful. And you had better remember where your loyalty lies, Joran. I will be the one to rule in Arcadie, not my father. And I’ll remember my friends – and my enemies.”

  “You know my loyalty, my lady.”

  “Yes,” she said, her voice softening. “You are a most loyal lieutenant. So trust in me just a little bit longer. Everything will be done according to international law. The other kingdoms will have no grounds for interference.”

  I was crying now, the tears running down Joran’s hand. He ignored them as completely as he ignored my pounding feet and scrabbling hands. Realising his distraction, I pulled my right arm forward and drove my elbow back into his stomach hard.

  He groaned and loosened his grip and I tore myself free. I turned to run and once again filled my lungs, preparing to scream. But Joran turned, quick as a cat, and tackled me to the ground. His weight landed on my back hard. I lay there, winded, my mind panicking as my body struggled to breathe.

  By the time I had managed to suck in a breath, Joran had rolled me over and stuffed a piece of material into my mouth. He quickly tied it in place with another strip of material, all while he sat on top of me, pinning me in place. Once my mouth was secure he pulled me back to my feet and forced me down the corridor, my hands twisted behind my back.

  Ava stalked in front of us, on the lookout for any more nighttime wanderers. I desperately hoped someone else would stumble upon us but no one appeared. When she reached her own suite, Ava opened the door and gestured for Joran to push me in ahead of her.

  Ava’s suite looked like a larger version of the Princess Room at the Winter Castle, everywhere I looked was red velvet and when they marched me through to the bedroom I saw an almost identical bed. Joran produced a rope from somewhere and quickly cut a short section that he used to tie my hands and feet together. I tensed my muscles and spread my hands as far apart as I dared but he yanked the rope tightly so it did little good.

  Once I was securely bound, Joran picked me up, cradling me like a child and deposited me in the large wardrobe.

  “You can kick against the wall all you like,” said Ava, her sweet voice back. “The next room over belongs to the captain of my guard. And Hans is even more loyal to me than Joran. No one will hear you and no one is coming to rescue you. You might as well save your strength.” And she closed the door, shutting me into darkness.

  Chapter 28

  For a long moment I just lay on the floor, letting my eyes adjust. There was a line of light around the door and I focused on that, fighting back both panic and bile. Eventually my mind calmed and my eyes adjusted.

  I took in long, deep breaths through my nose and took stock of my situation. The rag in my mouth tasted vile and was already sticky and disgusting from my saliva but it didn’t hurt exactly. My head, however, was still throbbing from the blow against the statue.

  I strained to pull my hands free from their binding but the knots didn’t even loosen. My wrists were soon throbbing from the effort and I gave it up. With my wrists and ankles already sore, I dreaded the hours ahead. I suspected that I would soon find it impossible to concentrate on anything other than the pain. With this in mind, I wriggled around, trying to find the most comfortable position.

  Once I had settled again I looked around the wardrobe. It was large and deep and I was sure I could maneuver into a standing position. Once I was standing I could open the wardrobe door. That would let me out into Ava’s bedroom. I wondered if I had the strength to attack her while she slept. If I found something heavy, I could hit her over the head.

  As appealing as this thought was, I rejected it. If I accidentally killed her it would provide Rangmere with a perfect excuse for war.

  The more I thought about it, the more I realised I had no chance of escaping while Ava remained in the suite. I would have to wait until she left. And once I was out of the wardrobe I would have to find some way to free my hands and escape the room. The prospect was daunting but not hopeless.

  My mind wandered to Lily and Sophie. What would they do when they woke up in the morning and I wasn’t in my bed? What would Max do when I didn’t turn up for breakfast?

  King Henry and Max might think I ran away after the events of the evening. King Henry might even be glad of it. But I was sure Max would go down to the Blue Arrow to see if I was there. Then my family would be worrying about me too. Tears leaked out of my eyes and ran down the side of my face. I tried to blink them away but eventually gave up and rubbed my face against one of the dresses hanging next to me instead.

  And when they didn’t find me, would they search, I wondered? I didn’t hold out much hope of a rescue. There was no reason for anyone to suppose I was locked in Princess Ava’s wardrobe.

  Slowly but surely my heartbeat returned to its usual rhythm. I found my thoughts slipping in and out of focus. It had been a long and tiring day and my fear had exhausted me. Despite my uncomfortable position and my uncertain future I drifted into an uneasy sleep.

  I woke the next morning to a sharp pain in my head, shoulders and hips, and an even sharper pain in my wrists and ankles. For a moment I panicked as I tried unsuccessfully to spit out the wad in my mouth and breathe freely. But memory quickly flooded in and I took steadying breaths through my nose.

  I
found some alleviation for my aches and pains by moving into a new position but the throbbing soon returned. I could hear movement and voices from the suite and I listened

  closely, waiting for the rooms to go silent.

  Hours passed.

  The light around the door was much brighter now but every time I decided that the coast was clear I would hear some new sound. I grew both impatient and bored.

  The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on me. I was tied up in a wardrobe, the fate of the kingdom hanging on my ability to get free, and I was bored. The pain occupied my mind for most of the morning but I gradually began to lose feeling in my hands and feet. I suspected this numbness was a bad thing but chose to be grateful for the reprieve from pain.

  I judged it to be late morning when I heard footsteps approach the wardrobe. The door was flung open and I squinted, my eyes burning as the light rushed in around me. After a moment I was able to make out Princess Ava’s silhouette. She glanced down at me and then back at her dresses.

  “What do you think, Alyssa?” she asked playfully. “Which dress should I wear to the ball tonight? It’s an important decision, you know. I just had confirmation from Secretary Leopold – I’ll be getting engaged tonight.”

  I muttered a rude retort that my gag turned into indistinct mumbling.

  “I think you’re right,” said Ava, sweetly. “The blue one does look best with my eyes.” She selected a gown and turned away. Then, as if arrested by a sudden thought, she swung back around.

  “And just in case you were wondering, I’ve told the royal family not to expect to see me today. I’ll be staying in my rooms, resting in preparation for the big night. It’s been a busy two weeks; they were very understanding.”

  She smiled down at me and closed the wardrobe doors. I kicked out against the wood in frustration but quickly gave up when the rope began to chafe my ankles. If Ava was staying in her rooms until the ball, that wouldn’t leave me much time to free myself. I had been relying on having an entire day to work out how to get free.