Once Enchanted

by Marie Higgins

  His heart ached with uncertainty. He must talk to her immediately. This needed to be straightened out. Unfortunately, he was on duty and couldn’t leave the king’s side.

  “What do you think about all of this?” the king asked.

  Ryder snapped his attention to the older man. “I wish I knew. However, I remember from school that she was very determined once she’d made up her mind.”

  The king chuckled, but humor wasn’t in his expression. “You are correct, though I would call it stubborn. She has always been a headstrong girl. I suppose that’s why I find this all so confusing.”

  The king looked at Ryder again, but this time, his gaze narrowed as if studying him closer. “Do you know what I think, Ryder Grey?”

  “No, Your Majesty.”

  “I think you should talk to her. I believe she would listen to you because you were childhood friends.”

  Although the king’s suggestion shot excitement through Ryder, he worried if he would be able to achieve the king’s wish. Would she tell Ryder her feelings for this prince? Was it possible she had only toyed with him...and his heart? He didn’t think he would be able to take the blow if she admitted to him that she had never wanted him in the first place. Despite the potential heartache, he had to know what was really going on.

  With any luck, the morning would pass quickly, because he desperately needed to talk to Clarissa...alone.

  A FEW MORE HOURS PASSED, and Ryder had no patience left. Waiting for the king to be done with his meetings was wearing on his last nerve. Urgency ran rampant inside of him, and he could hardly wait to talk to Clarissa. Unfortunately, because he’d been assigned to follow the king around today, he had no other choice but to work on his patience.

  “I’m going to walk around the hospital,” he told the other guards, who were huddled by the front steps.

  Adam lifted an eyebrow. “Why?”

  “Just to check out the perimeter to make certain everything is safe.” Ryder adjusted his belt and sword.

  The other guards exchanged glances before Adam nodded. “That’s not a bad idea.” He pointed to the other two. “Why don’t you two head around the south side, and Ryder can take the north side.”

  Ryder really didn’t care what the others did. He needed to keep himself from going insane with worry, and walking would do him good right now.

  He turned and began his walk, which soon became a sprint. Several times, he had to tell himself to slow down because the sooner his walk was over, the sooner he’d be back in front of the hospital waiting for the king, and stewing about what Clarissa was doing with Prince Ormond.

  Occasionally, he glanced into the hospital windows as he passed, but none of the faces looked familiar...until one did. He slowed his steps and peeked in the window again. Mrs. Cook sat beside the bed, holding a man’s hand. The sadness etched in her expression tugged on Ryder’s heartstrings. Apparently, her husband’s condition had gotten worse. Fred Cook had been one of the king’s guards at one time. Ryder had heard the man took ill, but he didn’t think Fred was this sick.

  Without another thought, Ryder found the next entrance and walked down the hallway to find Fred’s room. Putting aside his worries about the princess, he decided to ask some questions in hopes of figuring out what was happening to some of the king’s guards, and what had killed his father.

  When he spied Mrs. Cook again—this time, from the back of the room—he turned and entered. She snapped her head around. At first her eyes were wide with alarm, but once she recognized him, she smiled.

  “Ryder Grey. What are you doing here?”

  He motioned toward her husband in the bed. “I came to see how Fred was faring.”

  Tears filled her eyes and she shook her head. “Not well, I’m afraid.”

  He walked in closer and stopped beside her chair. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he gave her a reassuring squeeze. The worried lines on her face made her look older than her years. And more gray highlighted her dark head of hair.

  When he switched his gaze to the man in the bed, he sucked in a quick breath. Fred was hardly recognizable. Whatever ailment this man shared with Ryder’s father made them age quickly. The last week of his father’s life, he’d aged so rapidly, it was hard to watch. Even his mother couldn’t handle being in the same room with her husband for very long without breaking down and crying.

  “Mrs. Cook? Do you know what happened to him?” Ryder whispered as emotion clogged his throat. “This looks to be exactly what happened to my father.”

  “The doctors are stumped.” She shook her head. “Nobody knows what it is, and they definitely don’t know how to cure it.”

  “Do you recall what he was doing the first time he started feeling ill?”

  Sighing heavily, she shook her head. “He was with the king most of the day, so I don’t know what he did during that time, but when he returned home, he didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. Then, all of a sudden, he started vomiting and feeling dizzy. Each day since then, he’s grown slightly worse.” She wiped away a tear falling down her cheek.

  On the bed, a low groan escaped Fred’s throat and he blinked open his eyes. When he noticed Ryder, he smiled. “What are...you doing...here?”

  It broke Ryder’s heart to hear the man’s labored breathing, just as his father’s had been in his final days. “The king is here meeting with the administrators of the hospital. I was checking the building, when I saw you.” He shrugged. “I thought I’d come in to see you and your wife for a moment.”

  “It’s good...to see you.” Fred’s smile weakened. “I’m sorry about...your father.”

  “Thank you.” Ryder nodded. “Tell me, Fred, can you remember what you were doing right before you started feeling ill? Did anything out of the ordinary happen the day before while you were with the king?”

  The older man frowned. “You don’t know...how many times...I’ve thought about this.” He took a ragged breath. “The only thing...I can recall...that was different,” he inhaled deeply, “was assisting an old lady...home.”

  Immediately, Ryder recalled a previous conversation with his father about this very subject. His father had briefly mentioned helping an old woman. Yet, Fred wasn’t part of the four guards who’d been with his father. “Have you helped this old woman before?”

  “No, not that I recall.”

  “Do you know who she is?”

  Slowly, Fred shook his head. “None of us had seen...her before. But then, we don’t know...everyone in the...kingdom.”

  “What did she look like?” Ryder would seek out this woman and spy on her if he must. His gut feeling told him this was not a coincidence.

  “Small...perhaps five feet in height. Petite. Her hair was blonde...with very little gray...and wound in a coil...on the top of...her head.” He took another deep breath. “She wore glasses. They were round.”

  “Any warts? Missing teeth?” Ryder didn’t want to fall for a stereotype, even if the thought of a witch did cross his mind, but odd facial characteristics would be helpful no matter what, right?

  “No, but...she wore a red...scarf around her...head.”

  From up the hall, Ryder detected the king’s voice. His Majesty must be finished with his meetings and would soon wish to leave. Although Ryder yearned to stay and talk to Fred longer, his first responsibility was to the king.

  Ryder gently placed his hand on the frail man’s arm. “Thank you for letting me know. I promise to look into the matter immediately.”

  “Thank you.” Mrs. Cook’s eyes brimmed with unshed tears.

  As Ryder left the hospital, determination surged through him. He finally had the information needed to pursue this matter. Some of the king’s guards were being poisoned, and it was up to Ryder to find the person responsible...before he became the next victim.

  EIGHT

  Clarissa hummed as she wandered through the palace. Her mind couldn’t stay still. Not only was it filled with thoughts of Prince Ormond and the dinner party last n
ight, but a sense of urgency rushed through her—as if she were running out of time. She didn’t like the feeling, and she wondered if she felt this way because of her father and their little talk on the hospital grounds yesterday.

  Either way, she couldn’t wait to see Prince Ormond again. Then again, she didn’t want to frighten him away. What if he thought she only liked him because of the lands and wealth their marriage union would bring? That certainly wasn’t the reason. She didn’t want him to think she was doing this purely for her father’s sake, either. Yet, she knew if she pondered on it too much, the anxiety would drive her mad.

  As much as she wanted to have a heart-to-heart with her mother about her bewilderment, she didn’t feel she could talk to her as she once had. It hurt Clarissa to know that they had somehow drifted apart over the past year while she’d been away visiting her cousin, when they had just barely begun to develop a relationship before her trip that exceeded that of mother-daughter and became one of friends.

  Earlier this morning, during breakfast with her mother, the two women had the oddest conversation. The queen just hadn’t been herself, and there was not even a flicker of their previous connection. It angered Clarissa to think her mother could be so self-absorbed, since most of the conversation had been about the queen, and how tedious her daily activities had been of late. She complained about how the servants never did as she instructed, and they were all imbeciles. The woman Clarissa knew and loved adored her duties and performed them with grace. She would also never belittle others, no matter how lowly their station.

  The more Clarissa thought about it though, the more she wondered if something drastic was going on in her mother’s life that her parents didn’t want to let their daughter know about. Worry grew inside of Clarissa, and she could only hope her father would let her know if this problem—whatever it was—was tragic. She didn’t think she could handle discovering something terrible was going on. She would much rather hear it straight from her parents.

  Movement from outside the window caught her attention. She peered out. Several of her father’s guards were returning. She quickly scanned to see if any of them were Ryder, but none looked like her childhood friend.

  Immediately, the memory of their kiss returned. However, this time, confusion settled in her mind. She’d been floating on clouds all yesterday afternoon because of the time she and Ryder had spent together, and yet the dinner social with Prince Ormond had changed everything.

  But why?

  Out of the two men, Ryder was definitely better looking, and built very well. Because of their past, she was more at ease with him. She didn’t have to act like someone she wasn’t, and he accepted her no matter what happened. Ryder could make her laugh, and as children, they certainly enjoyed getting into mischief. Wouldn’t he make a better companion than someone she had just barely met?

  She rubbed her forehead as a slow pain throbbed in her skull. Closing her eyes, she leaned against the wall. It was odd to think she hadn’t wanted to search for a man to marry, and yet, in just one day, she had found two. No wonder she was so confused.

  Did she want to marry just because her parents wanted it, or did she really want it?

  And why in heaven’s name would she have these strange feelings for Prince Ormond when they just met?

  A shuffling of feet echoed in the hallway, and she pulled away from the window and focused on the person disturbing her mixed-up thoughts. One of the maids entered the music room carrying a vase of Rapunzel flowers.

  “Princess Clarissa,” she curtsied, “these flowers were just delivered for you.”

  Clarissa’s heart leapt. She didn’t have to be told who they were from. Smiling, she hurried to the servant and took the vase. She put her nose to the flowers and inhaled deeply. A mixture of lavender and vanilla wafted around her. So very lovely...

  When she pulled away, she smiled at the maid. “Were these from Prince Ormond?”

  The servant shrugged and handed Clarissa a missive. “I know not, Princess, but this note came with the flowers.”

  Clarissa hurried and opened the parchment. She scanned the details quickly, searching for Prince Ormond’s name.

  Dearest Clarissa, I saw these flowers today and thought of you. He signed it, Your Prince Ormond.

  Sighing heavily, she grinned. Such a sweet man. Yet, she really wanted him to mention something about when she’d see him next.

  Feeling as if her head were in the clouds, she practically floated to the nearest table and set the vase in the middle. He hadn’t mentioned when they’d meet again; however, she knew it would be soon. If he didn’t contact her by tomorrow, she would be contacting him.

  “Will you be needing anything else, Princess?” the maid asked.

  Clarissa glanced at the girl. “Is my father home yet?”

  “Yes. He just arrived.”

  “Good. I want to speak with him.”

  “Would you like me to send him a message, Princess?”

  Clarissa shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I shall seek him out.”

  “As you wish.” The girl curtsied before leaving the room.

  Giggling like a schoolgirl, Clarissa sat at the table. She forgot her manners and leaned her elbows on the table as she stared at the flowers. She sighed. Would Prince Ormond find her charming enough to consider marriage? She didn’t know why she felt this elated, but nothing mattered right now except smiling and sighing with happiness.

  She wouldn’t mind living in his kingdom and in his palace, especially if he could pick her Rapunzel flowers all the time. They were so very lovely, and they smelled so sweet...

  Suddenly, a noise pulled her out of her daydreams. Had someone just cleared their throat? She blinked and glanced around. Standing at the doorway, peeking into the room, was Ryder. When her gaze rested on his, he grinned.

  “Are you busy?”

  “Of course not. I’m never too busy for a friend.” She stood and motioned for him to enter. Although she should be excited to see him, for some reason, irritation tried to take over her feelings. Ridiculous! Why would she be annoyed with Ryder?

  He took cautious steps toward her, and then stopped when he reached the table. “How are you today?”

  She wanted to throw up her hands in frustration. How am I? He had eyes. He could see she’d been daydreaming...and that he had interrupted her. “Fine.” She tried not to sound agitated. “And you?”

  “I’ve wanted to see you all morning, but I was assigned to ride to the hospital with your father.”

  “Well,” she shrugged, “that’s your job, isn’t it?”

  One of his eyebrows arched in skepticism. “Yes, but after yesterday afternoon, I’ve been waiting for the time to speak with your father.”

  “About what?”

  A blank expression changed his features. “About courting you. Don’t you remember? You were going to come...last night, so I could...?”

  “Oh, that.” She flipped her hand in the air as impatience grew inside of her. “Well, I suppose everything worked out for the best, anyway.”

  He frowned. “What do you mean?”

  She turned toward the flowers and ran her finger along the edge of one of the petals. “Prince Ormond is going to court me.”

  He hitched a breath. “And...you feel this is a good thing?”

  She threw him a glare over her shoulder. “Of course,” she snapped. “He is a very sweet man. I think he’ll make a fine husband.”

  His jaw tightened, and he fisted his hands at his sides. However, his expression didn’t appear to be anger. Through the smile, she could see his emotional struggle.

  What was his problem, anyway? They were friends. Nothing more. So why was he giving her the disapproving look? She wished he would stop it, because if this kept up, she would assuredly throw him out of the house and not think twice about it.

  RYDER WAS SPEECHLESS...which didn’t happen very often.

  Who was this woman? And more importantly, why had she sudden
ly lost her memory? Did she not recall their kiss?

  He didn’t know how to act with her right now. His heart was crumbling, and yet at the same time, he wanted to shake some sense into her. In all of the years he’d known her, she had never once acted like a simpleton. She was headstrong, but she never flip-flopped back and forth on her choices. If she hadn’t wanted him to court her in the first place, she certainly would have told him yesterday after their kiss. In fact, she wouldn’t have kissed him at all.

  This wasn’t like the girl he’d been friends with for so many years, and her drastic attitude change worried him.

  He inhaled and released it slowly. Whatever he did, he couldn’t upset her. Not until he discovered her reasons for acting this way.

  The temperature in the room seemed hotter than he’d remembered. Had someone stoked the fire in the hearth? A bead of sweat ran down the side of his face from his hairline to his ear. He quickly wiped it off.

  Little by little, his heart was breaking, but he must be strong and stay in control.

  He swallowed hard and tried to smile, although it was tearing him apart inside. “I’m just surprised to hear that you and the prince hit it off so well...and so quickly.”

  She shrugged. “Yes, well, I found him to be quite interesting, even though my parents do not share my opinion.”

  Ryder folded his arms, wishing he could shrug off his uniformed jacket and cool down. “I only got a glimpse of him when he and his mother entered the palace, and well, I must say, he appeared rather clumsy. He even stumbled most of the way up the palace steps.”

  “Perhaps he was anxious to meet me,” Clarissa stated tersely.

  “Yes, I’m certain he was.” He stepped closer and brushed his fingers across her arm. “Any man would feel anxious to meet such a lovely woman.”

  She rolled her eyes and pushed his hand away. “Oh, Ryder. Stop saying such things.”

  As he studied her, the stiffness in her body gradually began to relax. Only a minute ago, she had looked like a wild cat ready to pounce. What he needed to do was continue with the sweet talk. Perhaps if he could turn on his charm, he’d get her to unwind a little more and open up to him.