by Lisa Daniels
Benson grinned, “I can’t say I’m surprised she would fall for you. But I am completely surprised by you falling for her. Especially after what happened to Prince Greyson.”
“You really want to compare someone from the Blue Kingdom with the prince of the Golden Kingdom?” There was definite amusement in Marcellus’ voice.
“I see your point. If that is the case, then I wish you the best. And good luck telling your father.”
“He won’t care that much. Aldonso was always his favorite, and he always figured I would be killed before I got old enough to wed.”
“I am really out of the loop,” Benson muttered.
Nina stepped away from Marcellus. “What is going on here? What are you two blathering about? Shape shifters? Blue and Golden Kingdoms? It feels like I am the only one who is sane here.”
The two shared a look before Benson pursed his lips. But it was Marcellus who answered. “Of course our conversation sounds wrong to you. You are the only one who is human here.” He gave her a friendly smile.
Nina scowled, “Oh please, the next thing you will be saying, Benson is a warlock and you are a lycanthrope.”
Marcellus laughed, “Of course not. Benson is more like the lycanthrope. I’m… something else entirely.”
Benson bristled, “I am not more of a lycanthrope.”
“You have fur,” Marcellus shot back.
Nina looked between them. Holding up her hands, she started to laugh. “I see, you guys are making fun of me. Very funny.”
Benson stepped forward. Placing his hand on the barrier, it disappeared. “Come inside, my dear. I think we owe you an explanation. Might as well do that over a nice cup of tea.”
Nina followed her friend into his large cottage, curiosity making her far less careful than she should have been. Then again, she had discarded caution when she had run away from the festival with a man she hadn’t known. Pity for those who had been hurt always overrode any ability to be careful about herself.
Benson started to move around the kitchen, preparing tea. With a wave of his hand, he directed them to the chairs at the table. “Wherever you like is fine.”
Nina sat and waited for them to start to explain what they had been talking about, but neither man seemed ready to speak. Benson was busy with the tea preparations while Marcellus looked around. “This is really a very cozy place. Do you miss your home?”
“No, once Mindy, my wife, died, well, I just couldn’t keep living there. Too much pity in my neighbors’ eyes. So I moved here, set up shop, and now I get to help beautiful people like Princess Nina. It’s quite filling, if a little lonely sometimes.”
Marcellus nodded his head, then quickly began to shake it. “You know full well my kind would not understand that last sentiment.”
“No, you lot aren’t known for being overly fond of crowds. And if I recall, you aren’t too keen on humans.”
Marcellus smiled and shrugged, “I’ve always been a bit of a black sheep.”
Benson laughed. “You are the scaliest sheep I’ve ever known.”
“I’m sorry, what are you men talking about?” Nina folded her arms across her chest, her annoyance beginning to win out over her curiosity.
Benson looked at her, then at Marcellus. “You haven’t told her what you are? That hardly seems fair.”
“As you know, it isn’t something that is easy to talk about. Humans being the sweet creatures they are.”
“Do not be sarcastic in the presence of Princess Nina,” Benson frowned.
“I am not being sarcastic. I know how my people view humans, and I don’t share that opinion. My experience have been mostly positive, if you exclude shape shifters. Which I do. If you need an example, look at my current situation. I meet this sweet little human, and she feels so compelled to see me healed that she goes running off without so much as a thought for her own safety.”
Benson puckered his lips, “You said that you two were—”
Marcellus laughed, “A ruse, my dear bear. Just a ruse.”
Benson sighed, “Only you immortals would think to find that funny. I’m surprised the poor princess didn’t faint from—”
Nina stood up, “What is going on?”
Both men stopped chatting and looked at her. Marcellus reacted first. Giving her a low bow, he said, “I am very sorry, princess. Your master is a bear shifter. That is why he appears to age slower than you and how he is so knowledgeable about healing. He certainly should have told you sooner as you clearly have a lot of trust in him.”
“Look who is talking,” Benson muttered.
“I hardly know her, and yet I’ve been more open with her. After all, she already knows I’m not human. And it hasn’t been two hours since we met.”
Benson placed two cups on the table. “Princess Nina, I am afraid I will have to let your father know about this. Even for you, this is entirely reckless.”
Nina’s mouth fell open. Shaking her head, the princess held up her hands. “Wait, I came here wanting to help someone who is clearly very injured. He came to the festival asking for directions to some unheard-of kingdom, which made me fear that he was insane.”
“Well, that should have made you more careful. Not less,” Marcellus said as he sipped his tea.
“He is right, my dear. That was more reason to be careful. I have always worried about you, but now even more than before.”
“Fine. Whatever. You two just continue to sit around chatting your nonsense and—” Something they said finally began to sink into her mind. “Wait.” She closed her eyes. “Did you say he is a… bear shifter?”
The two men exchanged a look before Benson began to nod. “That’s right. I am.”
“Does that mean you are like those things that are attacking Braydon’s kingdom?”
“No. Shifters and shape shifters are decidedly different species.” Marcellus stated matter-of-factly. Nina thought she detected a hint of offense in his voice.
“What’s the difference?”
Benson puckered his lips again. Marcellus placed a hand over the old man’s. Leaning forward, he responded, “Shifters are born with the ability to shift at birth. In fact, we are not born in our human form. We only start shifting to that later. Our other forms are better suited for learning the basics. Consider humans also begin with crawling. You don’t walk upright in the early days. Our other forms give us many other advantages—”
“Like what?”
“We are… more robust. It is much harder to hurt a bear cub than a human infant.”
Nina frowned, then began to nod. “I can see that. Okay. What about shape shifters?”
“They are humans with magical abilities who chose to use them to… try to be like shifters. It is painful for them, and it can be deadly. But if they succeed, they can be much more powerful than a human.”
“That sounds dangerous. And stupid,” Nina muttered as much to herself as to her companions.
“It really is. But there is no telling a human what is right and wrong.”
Nina turned to glare at Marcellus. He met her look with a kind smile, “Unfortunately, you dragging me here and refusing to acknowledge that it was risky is more of a case in point than an exception.”
Nina bristled, “I wanted to help.”
“And I am very grateful.” He gave her a sweet smile. “But, it makes me very concerned for your future that you would just run ahead without giving it a thought. The world really doesn’t have enough caring people like you in it. Losing someone like you would be… a tragedy.”
Nina looked at him skeptically, “You are exaggerating.”
“Not at all. I have traveled almost all over this planet. Most places you go, there are just variations on a few personality types. Even your bear-shifting friend—I’ve encountered several people like him looking to forget a loss by helping others. I’ve never met anyone quite like you, though.”
Nina looked away. “I’m nothing special.”
“There you are certain
ly mistaken, my dear.” Benson stood up. “It’s like so many people have been telling you for a while. All of those oddities that make you who you are make you something very precious to the people who know you. Why do you think even Paola gives in to you?”
“Because she isn’t a bad person.”
“It’s because she loves you. It is very difficult to meet you and not to love you. That’s why I was able to be fooled into thinking this immortal had fallen for you,” he jerked a thumb at Marcellus before heading to the sink.
Nina frowned, “What do you mean immortal?”
“He’s wrong. Of course. No one is immortal.”
Nina relaxed a little. “Thank goodness. It sounded like he meant you were some type of god or that you had some unimaginable life span that—”
“Don’t be fooled, my dear,” Benson said, sitting down at the fire. “He’s no god. But neither you nor I could fathom his life span.”
Nina turned and looked at Marcellus. “Oh, please. He looks like he’s younger than me, and I’m only 22 years old.”
Marcellus smiled, “Me too!”
“Duke Marcellus, you are not 22 human years old.”
“Well, no, but I’m 22 in our years.”
Benson smiled, “And how many human years is that?”
“Oh, um,” the duke frowned, “does it really matter?”
“How old in human years are you?” Benson pressed.
“I’ve never found it to matter. There’s no sense in having another reason to look differently at another species.”
“I don’t think you fully understand the situation you find yourself in, Your Majesty.” Benson’s tone shifted.
Marcellus’ frown deepened. “I’m not—”
“You know that it doesn’t matter. Your kind is considered royalty just by your species. And you are unique because you protect far more than just your own kingdoms. To those of us who have heard of you, you are worth more than any prince. Enter any bear, wolf, bird, or cat city, and you will find it to be true.”
Marcellus sighed, “I don’t want to be treated differently.”
“And that is why people love you.” Benson smiled at him. “Now tell her how old you are before she gets her hopes up.”
“What?” Nina and Marcellus said in unison.
“It will be clear by the end of the night.”
Nina vigorously shook her head, “I’m not staying the night here.”
Benson gave her a pitying look. “Unfortunately, none of us have a choice. Night has fallen and the dangers have returned. Even with him, I cannot let you leave. Not with his injury.”
A crease formed in Marcellus’ brow. “What kind of trouble?”
“Shape shifters roam these lands at night. I pick them off when I can, but they travel in large numbers through here since it is so close to the border with the Haunted Woods.”
Nina rolled her eyes, “Only children call it that.”
“That’s because children can see what adult humans have learned to ignore,” Benson snapped back. “Now, I offer you a place to rest for the night. I have plenty of space for everyone to be comfortable. After Marcellus admits his age.”
Chapter 3
Marcellus shrugged, “I am perfectly happy with leaving on my own. You take care of her and—”
Benson stood up. “I don’t think you understand how dangerous it is out there.”
“I’ve killed hundreds of them.”
“At the same time.”
“Of course not. They don’t travel in groups that big.”
“They do through here.”
“I don’t believe you,” Marcellus stood up. “Now I need to get home to—”
Benson threw up his hands. “And you were just criticizing her for being foolish.”
“And you have been calling me immortal. So you are admitting that I’m not or you are being a fool yourself.”
Benson waved a hand, and a display of a horde of twisted creatures was visible on the other side of the wall. Nina stumbled back, knocking against the table.
Marcellus grabbed her. “Careful there. They aren’t here. He’s just showing us what is going on a couple hundred feet from here.”
Nina looked up into his gorgeous green eyes, which were smiling down at her. Looking away, she tried to pull herself from his grasp. “Thank you,” she mumbled.
“Of course. I can’t help but take care of the woman willing to risk herself to help me.”
Nina’s eyes went to his injured arm. Even though he was hurt, he was able to easily catch her and keep her from hitting the ground. With one arm. What Benson had said was beginning to be more obvious. For a second, she felt her heart skip a beat. Frowning, she turned away. “I think I’m getting sick.”
Marcellus had been talking to Benson. At her words, his attention snapped back to her. “Here, I will help you to bed.”
Benson said from close by, “This isn’t your house, Your Majesty.”
There was a low rumble as Marcellus said, “Stop calling me that.”
Nina looked around them, uncertain where the rumble had come from. Benson simply smiled, “I will, once you tell her your age.”
“It isn’t important.”
“And following protocol in the presence of royalty is.”
“You aren’t treating Nina this way,” Marcellus shot back.
“That’s because she is open and honest. Fine. I will back off for now. But be prepared for me to rub it in your face when it backfires later.”
“You have no idea what you are talking about, Bear Benson.”
“I have a much better eye for these things, and am not blind to how my actions affect others, Your Majesty.”
Marcellus glowered at him, but didn’t say anything else. “Come along, princess. Let’s get you comfortable. We’ll need you to create a message for your family as well. Your poor sister will be beside herself when you don’t come home tonight.”
“Oh gods!” Nina’s eyes went wide. “Poor Paola! I completely forgot about her!”
Marcellus patted her shoulder, “It’s alright. Even if we can’t get you home, we can get word to her. Just be ready for a real scolding tomorrow.”
“It can hardly get any worse than it already is. She lectured me this morning about her needing to get a husband. Her. Not me. I swear, she just likes to keep me in a little box so that it is easier to monitor me.”
“Well, I can see where she is coming from, and I have not known you for long.”
Nina’s shoulders slumped as he led her down a hall. “I’m not a child.”
“No, but you have no regard for your own safety. That would drive any sister crazy. And if you were married, it could very well give your husband a heart attack. Do you really want to be responsible for that?”
“I would be more careful if I had a husband. As long as he was willing to join me in having fun and living. Staying locked inside a castle is just wrong.”
Marcellus nodded, “With that I can agree. But there is a difference between getting out of the palace and running off without thinking.”
“You would know,” Nina said. “It sounds like that is exactly what you do.” She wrinkled her nose. “No wonder your arm is broken.”
Marcellus fell silent. Suddenly, the floor began to shake a little, then a laugh that sounded like a haunting melody rose around her. Marcellus slipped an arm around her shoulders. “As much as I want to argue with you, I can’t honestly say that you are wrong.” Nina looked over and saw his beautiful green eyes looking at her. “This should be most vexing. A human putting me in my place, but as I’ve been saying, there really is no big difference between the humanoid species.”
“Your life span.”
Marcellus opened his mouth to say something, then shut it. With a small nod, he said, “Yes. There is that. But… I don’t think that it matters so much. When you meet a good person, you have to enjoy them as much as you possibly can because no tomorrow is guaranteed. I learned that the hard way.�
�� A sad smile spread across his face.
Nina leaned her head against his shoulder, hoping that her sympathy was getting through to him. “I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve never lost anyone unexpectedly. Two of my grandparents died, but they were old, and we all knew it was coming. Some of our servants too. But for the most part, I have been fortunate.”
Marcellus leaned over and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “May it always be that way for you. You are such a sweet young lady, you should not be introduced to some cruel situations.”
“You seem like such a caring immortal, it’s a shame that you aren’t one of the gods.”
Marcellus shrugged. “I just wanted to get out of the palace.”
Nina laughed, “I don’t believe you. If that were true, you wouldn’t have a broken arm, and you wouldn’t be trying so hard to get home to your kingdom to warn them of the dangers.”
“It’s my duty.”
“You keep telling yourself that. But don’t lie to me. I can already tell you aren’t doing this out of self-interest.”
Marcellus pulled away and looked at her. “What makes you say that?”
Nina shrugged, “My mother was part fairy. Or something like that.”
“What? You said you hadn’t lost anyone close.” He looked at her more intently.
“I said that no one has been lost unexpectedly. My mother left a long time ago. I barely knew her. She wasn’t the queen, so it really didn’t matter. My sister is the legitimate heir, I’m just a bastard child.”
Marcellus stared at Nina. Feeling uncomfortable under the scrutiny, Nina shrugged again. “Well, good night.”
She entered the closest room and closed the door. Once inside, she looked around and noticed she had entered a bathroom. Clearly she couldn’t sleep in there, but what were the odds that Marcellus knew that? This wasn’t his house. She got the feeling he was just trying to learn more about her away from Benson, though she couldn’t quite fathom why. Waiting until she heard him walk away, Nina carefully opened the door and began to look for a bedroom.
“What are you doing, Nina?” The voice froze her in place.