Time for a change of subject. “How was your morning, Eileen?” For she’d spent it cooped up in royal meetings, just like a real princess.
Her mischievous expression immediately faltered, causing my heart to immediately extend to her in concern. Aiden rubbed her back soothingly. “You were wonderful today. Trust me.”
Eileen forced a false smile. “I did my best.”
Aiden frowned. “You don’t need to pretend everything is alright, especially when I can clearly see it’s not. Remember, no more secrets between us.”
“It’s just that…” She lowered her voice. “Did you notice your family’s behavior? The king looked as if he disapproved of everything I did, and afterwards Seren said the most nasty thing.”
Aiden’s expression darkened. “What did she say?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Eileen said. “They clearly think I’m doing a terrible job. It’s only been a week and already—”
“Shh, it’s alright, sweetheart.” He pressed a gentle kiss on her brow in assurance. “You’re doing fine. You’re still adapting, but soon you’ll be a natural at this.”
Eileen frowned. “So you agree I haven’t been doing a good job?”
“No, I meant—”
“It doesn’t matter.” Eileen’s sharp tone clearly indicated she was finished with their conversation. Aiden sighed and took her hand. Although they exchanged smiles, they seemed a bit strained.
I nibbled my nail worriedly, watching the fairy-tale couple as all sorts of unhappy scenarios played uninvited across my imagination. For once, I didn’t want to dwell on the stories I was coming up with.
I slowed until I’d fallen back from the couple and Alastar had caught up. I immediately turned to him. “Are they fighting?” I whispered.
He performed his irritating eyebrow-cocking quirk again. “I’m pleased the royal guest has found her tongue again.”
I’d forgotten about our silent treatment game. It appeared I’d lost that round, but it no longer seemed important. “Just answer the question.” For my mind was swirling with all sorts of horrendous possibilities. What if their fight led to their estrangement? Eileen would be left heartbroken. Oh, no!
My concern must have shown in my face, for Alastar’s expression softened. He glanced towards Eileen and Aiden, now conversing cheerfully as they swung their connected hands back and forth. “They appear to be in good spirits.”
“They weren’t a moment ago. Didn’t you see them? It’s a guard’s job to observe, is it not?”
“But not to eavesdrop.”
I gave him an exasperated look and he leaned closer, lowering his voice. “There’s no need to worry. I was witness to how hard His Highness fought for his princess. He won’t let her go so easily. Her Highness is merely trying to adjust to her new position, and His Highness is naturally concerned at how difficult it is for her. That’s very different than fighting.”
Yes, of course. He was right. I was being silly. The tension tightening my chest slowly eased. Alastar continued to study me.
“You’re worried for Her Highness?”
“She’s my best friend,” I said. “Thus I want her story to be perfect.”
“That’d be quite difficult, considering no book I’ve ever read unfolded quite that way.”
An excited flutter filled my chest, further dispelling any lingering worry. “You’re a reader?”
“Probably not as avid as you, I’m sure.”
“But you do read.” I wasn’t sure why this excited me. Perhaps I hadn’t been anticipating any commonality with such a stoic man. “And as such, you see that while stories have their obstacles to be overcome, they have no place in one’s happily ever after. After all Eileen has been through, she deserves a wonderful ending.” For Eileen had won the heart of a prince, the grandest ending imaginable to any story.
He gave me a peculiar look, one I wasn’t sure how to decipher, but I was certain that he, being my antagonist, was silently teasing me.
I wriggled beneath his perusal. “Stop that.”
He raised his eyebrow. “Am I guilty of yet another dastardly deed? First I thwart your efforts to explore the throne room, then I plant myself at the bottom of the stairs at midnight to await your arrival in order to nearly knock you over, then I concoct a scheme to get everyone to go along with an elaborate story about dragons. What’s my crime this time?”
I glared. “Are you keeping track?”
“Such a feat is impossible considering your mind is impossible to keep track of.”
“You’re insufferable.” Now that he’d eased my worries, I refused to linger in this man’s presence any longer. I stomped ahead, biting my lip to smother several choice cursings too indelicate for a heroine to say in her story, but so help me, I was going to think them. As I did so, I kept my gaze forward and spent the rest of the walk pretending that the guard trailing us didn’t exist.
It didn’t work.
Soon, the path weaving through the trees opened up on its own to a tranquil clearing. My bad mood immediately dissipated at the magical vision before me. The gushing falls cascaded from the side of a small mountain, completely masked by the thick trees framing it, creating the illusion they spilled from the trees themselves. A shimmery pool hugged the fall’s base. Sunlight peeked through the gaps in the branches and glistened off its surface, causing rainbows to dance in the shrouding mist, all while the waterfall itself gradually changed color.
I clasped my hands in delight as I soaked everything in. “This is incredible.”
As the servants who’d accompanied us began setting up our picnic, I scampered towards the waterfall and knelt on the grass surrounding its rocky outcroppings so I could peer into the pool—currently a light pink—where the reflection of my wonder-filled expression stared back at me. I leaned so close my nose grazed the surface.
“There’s certainly something magical hidden within its depths. Perhaps it’s the location of a buried treasure or the home of mermaids. Maybe even the water itself is enchanted. Oh, how splendid.”
Eileen giggled from her place nestled against Aiden’s side as they cuddled at the base of a maple. “I just adore your stories, Rosie.”
“They’re not just stories. Truth exists in every tale, as you certainly know, considering your own had the most romantic happily ever after imaginable.”
Eileen tipped her head back to beam up at Aiden. “Indeed it did.”
He caressed her cheek and kissed her. My earlier worries concerning them immediately vanished. Their happily ever after was clearly going well. How could I have ever doubted?
I watched them with a girlish grin before returning my attention to the now-lilac pool to search for any signs of mermaids or buried treasure. The pool did seem a bit too shallow for mystical life—which was oh-so-disappointing—but that didn’t discount the possibility of buried treasure or enchanted water. If there was something buried within its depths, perhaps a clue to its whereabouts existed in any secret markings on the surrounding rocks. I began exploring them earnestly.
“Looking for a marking of some kind? Or perhaps a map to a buried treasure?”
I stiffened at his voice and did everything in my power to resist humoring the speaker in question with a glance. “No,” I lied stiffly, both surprised and frustrated he knew that was exactly what I was up to.
“You’re a terrible liar, Miss Rosalina.”
“It takes one to know one.”
“Implying?”
I rolled my eyes. Emotionless and clueless. “That you’re a liar.”
“I’m not a liar.”
I finally succumbed to the strange pull to glare at him. He was the picture of ease, sitting with his arm resting on a pulled-up knee, with that lip-twitching-so-not-a-real smile of his playing across his serious expression.
“Excuse me? You said there were dragons at the palace. If there aren’t, how is that not lying?”
“Still sour about that? You sure know how to hold a grudge.” D
espite his accusing tone, his lips twitched again. “The existence of dragons within the palace has yet to be proved or disproved, so you can’t claim I’m a liar, whereas your terrible lying skills make you an open book.”
“Heroines never lie. It’s not ladylike.”
Up went his eyebrow. “So you’re not currently looking for secret markings?” He scooted closer to study the rocks thoughtfully. “What do these markings look like?”
I debated for a moment whether or not to humor him. “They could be anything,” I finally relented.
“And when we find these ciphers?”
“Perhaps they’ll lead to a secret treasure. I talked to a footman this morning whose father was a sailor, and he told me all about the adventures he went on sailing the ocean. I’m certain he discovered all sorts of treasures.” The idea was positively thrilling.
“Ah, so we’re currently in an adventure story. It’s always one with you.” He examined each rock with the utmost attention. “Frankly, it keeps me on my toes whenever I encounter you. I never know which tale we’ll be playing out, although I do know that I’ll likely be cast as the villain.”
“It’s obviously a role you were born to play.”
“I must debate that point.” He finally settled back. “I can’t find any markings, Miss Rosalina. I think you’re out of luck.”
“I won’t give up until I’ve looked myself.” Perhaps they were invisible and were only illuminated under a moonlit night; that would be quite the twist.
I continued in my quest, all while the guard watched, his expression as serious as ever but merriment dancing in his eyes. It made him look almost…friendly, which was frankly a bit unnerving. I kept casting him glares, hoping to crack that rigid expression of his.
I finally settled back on my heels with a dejected sigh. “Well, this is most disappointing. This pool doesn’t seem to contain mermaids or buried treasure. The only possibility remaining is that the water is enchanted; considering it changes colors, that’s highly likely.”
Alastar finally turned his focus away from me to study the shimmery pool. “Enchanted with what?”
I scooped some in my cupped hands and held it out to him. “Drink it and we’ll find out.”
“Is this how murders are conducted, Miss Rosalina, with seemingly innocent maidens offering poisoned water to unsuspecting heroes?”
“You’re not the hero in my story.”
“I noticed.” He said this quietly, as if he didn’t mean for me to overhear. Before I could question him, Aiden interrupted.
“Rosalina, when you’re done talking with Alastar, we can start our picnic.”
“We weren’t talking; we were arguing.”
Eileen and Aiden exchanged an amused glance at that, even though the fact wasn’t at all humorous.
The servants handed Aiden, Eileen, and me a plate of food and we all proceeded to enjoy the bread, cheese, fruit, and strawberry tarts. However, Duncan and Alastar didn’t eat anything, nor did the other servants. I repeatedly glanced towards Alastar. Wasn’t he allowed to participate in the picnic? He may have been a guard, but that seemed rather unfair.
“Is something wrong, Rosie?”
I turned to Eileen. “Why aren’t the servants eating? I’m sure they’d like some of this delicious food.” Before she could tell me why, I stood and approached Alastar, extending my plate out. “Would you like some?”
He raised his eyebrow. “Are you in the need of a poison tester?”
“I want you to join the picnic.”
“I’m a servant, Miss Rosalina, but thank you for your kind offer.”
“Servant or not, you should still be allowed to participate.” I nudged my plate closer, waiting to see which baked good he’d select so I could satisfy my curiosity about which treat he liked best, but he made no motion to take any. “It wouldn’t hurt to eat just one,” I prompted. “How about this pecan bar. Is it your favorite?”
“I’m afraid not.”
I sighed. “If pecan bars aren’t your favorite either, what is?”
“I told you it’s a secret, Miss Rosalina.”
Uncooperative as ever. “Stubborn man.” I slammed my plate down beside him and stomped back to the picnic basket. Another glance at Alastar revealed he still wasn’t eating. For a moment we had a delightful stare down before he slowly picked up the strawberry tart and took a bite.
I smirked. “The Heroine Rosalina wins this round.” And humming cheerfully, I filled up another plate for myself, determinedly ignoring the smirks exchanged between Eileen and Aiden.
Halfway through the picnic, Aiden kissed Eileen’s temple before going over to converse with Alastar and Duncan, granting me the opportunity to visit with my best friend. I eagerly seized it.
“What do you think of the waterfall?” she asked me.
“It’s enchanting. I never knew the Forest contained something so wondrous.”
Eileen tipped her head back to stare at the canopy of branches above, which rustled in the gentle breeze, as if speaking to her. “The Forest is full of all manner of delights. I hope we can spend more time here together during your visit.” She reached for my hand. “It’s been wonderful having you at the palace with me.”
I smiled. I’d loved being here these past three days. I’d not only been assured that Eileen was truly happy, but we’d been able to spend hours staying up late, talking and giggling, just like the many sleepovers we’d had over the years. Would this part of our friendship continue even after Eileen’s marriage? How I hoped it would.
I glanced sideways at Aiden to be sure he was deeply involved in his conversation with the guards before I leaned towards Eileen’s ear. “Are you and Aiden alright?”
She blinked at me. “Of course we are. What makes you concerned?”
I was wary of bringing up the tension I’d witnessed between her and her fiancé. My cheeks warmed. “During our journey to the waterfall, you two seemed…troubled.”
She didn’t answer for a moment before she slumped, as if the burden she’d been carrying had suddenly become too heavy. “I’m just worried about my upcoming duties as the new crown princess. I’m totally unfit for the task.” She nibbled her lip. “It all sounds overwhelming, doesn’t it? What if I do a terrible job?” She forced a smile. “But I’m sure it’ll be alright. I’m just happy I get to be with Aiden, not to mention it’s been wonderful being with you and mother again. Please be assured I’m perfectly well.”
I released a whooshing breath of relief. “I’m so glad.”
Her smile softened as she squeezed my hand. “You’re such a good friend, Rosie. I really missed you. I felt rather isolated before you came, considering I don’t know anybody, but now that you’re here I’m much more at ease.”
“I’m happy I can be of help.”
We continued talking, exchanging stories we hadn’t yet had a chance to share since our reunion, until Aiden came over and extended his hand to Eileen.
“Will you walk with me, darling?”
She beamed and allowed him to gently pull her to her feet. They left hand in hand, Duncan following a close distance behind, leaving Alastar as my sole companion since the servants had left to wash the dishes in a nearby stream. I spent the first ten minutes listening to the surrounding birds and pretending he didn’t exist before I couldn’t take our unbearable silence any longer.
“Do you know what I think?” I asked.
“Whatever it is, Miss Rosalina, it’s sure to be unexpected.”
“I’m convinced there’s something hidden behind the waterfall.”
“So we’re still in an adventure story?”
I stole another glance at him. Despite his firm countenance, his eyes were dancing merrily. “Exactly. Thus, I’m going to explore.” I stood to do just that, but before I could take a single step he seized my wrist. Unexpected warmth jolted up my arm from his touch. “Unhand me at once.”
He gave me that stupid cocked-eyebrow look of his again. “Unhand you?�
��
I shrugged. “It makes for better dialogue.”
His lips twitched in amusement he couldn’t quite mask. “Most would have told me merely to let them go, but of course this is you.” He shook his head. “I’m not going to honor your request to wade in the waterfall, not when there are hidden deep pockets which you could slip into.”
I harrumphed. “Heroines are quite capable of taking care of themselves.”
“That’s certainly true, Miss Rosalina, but even the most capable heroine has need of a gallant knight once in a while.”
“Not if it’s you.” I managed to tug my wrist free but the heat of his touch lingered, leaving my entire arm tingling. “Now I’m going exploring, and you can’t stop me.” I yanked off my shoes so I could wade into the pool, but he seized my wrist again to jerk me to a stop, his already serious expression even more rigid.
“No, Rosalina, I mean it. It’s too dangerous.”
I yanked myself away. “No need to worry yourself; I happen to be an excellent swimmer.” I could at least stay afloat. I held up my dress and waded into the pool, shivering as the frigid water lapped around my calves. To my surprise, Alastar waded in after me. I narrowed my eyes.
“I just can’t rid myself of you.”
But his aggravating presence wouldn’t deter me. I waded a few more steps, but before I could enjoy the fact that I was exploring a magical waterfall, I suddenly slipped, going under. Coldness pressed around me as I fought to resurface. In the struggle, I whacked my head against the rock. Pain laced my skull as I kicked towards the surface. I broke through right beneath the cascading falls, which pummeled over me in heavy rapids. I coughed and sputtered, but just as I was certain this was the end for the Heroine Rosalina, strong arms seized me by the waist and dragged me from the water to dump me unceremoniously on the bank.
“You nearly got yourself killed. Are you okay, Miss Rosalina?” Alastar’s worry-filled face gradually came into focus.
The Kingdom Chronicles Box Set 1 Page 32