by Cara Coe
Without a word, Amelie turned and headed out of the hall.
* * *
The King’s study felt empty without Sir Duncan in his normal perch by the window. Amelie couldn’t ever remember a time when she’d met the King here to exchange information that Sir Duncan hadn’t occupied his normal spot. He was a fixture, and a surprising large one it seemed now that the vacancy was so keenly felt.
After filling in what Amelie considered to be the necessary details of the past several weeks since her capture, King Byron leaned thoughtfully back in his chair.
“Do you think they will make good allies?”
“I think in a time when allies were welcomed, they would have been excellent candidates,” Amelie answered. “But in this situation, the other three kingdoms will see it as an act of war. We may have stirred up trouble.”
“There was no other way.”
“You could have let me remain prisoner.” Even as Amelie said it with an intended bitter tone, she realized she meant it. Subsequently, the words came out of her mouth free of the bitterness she’d intended to impart and instead sounded thoughtful. What would have life in Draeden been like? Released from her job as a spy. Even in the dreariest of accommodations she felt as though she would have been free. She found her mind wondering what Draeden law said about a prince marrying an accused spy and prisoner.
“We do not toss away the safety of our royalty!”
With a start, Amelie realized she’d missed King Byron’s exasperated lecture and his ending outburst snapped her out of her daydream. He rubbed his forehead and continued speaking. “I am now forced to share you with that king but I suppose the outcome could have been worse.”
Amelie silently disagreed.
“Do not return to the nuns just yet. I want you at the ball. Dress as one of the servers. Scout for suspicion. I haven’t felt safe since you left. Something is happening. I want to be prepared.”
He rose and Amelie quickly backed up to the door, not wanting to participate in the dance where he ached to touch her and invaded her personal space.
“As you wish, your Highness,” she said hastily and exited before he had a chance to add anything more.
Chapter 35
Seth
Seth followed the younger princess through the empty hallways with Talon and Derrick behind him. Despite learning only a few minutes before that she was to marry him and take over the kingdom, she was remarkably poised. She glanced back at the party, smiling and spouting off random facts about the castle as they made their way to the hurriedly prepared quarters.
“This wing was finished during my grandfather’s reign,” she said as they passed several looming paintings of past rulers, Seth guessed. “He enjoyed it all of two seasons before he passed yet it took seven years to build.”
Where did Amelie sleep before she was banished? Where did Phillip hang himself? Seth thought to himself. He noticed the tour didn’t include the grisly details of this family’s dark history. She spoke as though she’d spoken these words many times before and she probably had. With Phillip gone mad, Amelie in hiding, and the queen’s disdain for pleasantries it seemed Claudia was tasked with the responsibility of smoothing relationships between the royals and other dignitaries.
“And here are your quarters,” she chirped, opening a large room at the end of the hall. “Ronald can see to any needs you have-” she motioned to a man straightening the bedding – “or you can message me directly. Mr. Talon, Mr. Derrick, your rooms are just there and there, adjacent to Prince Seth.”
Seth looked at her. Studied her, really. She resembled Amelie. Same dark skin. Her hair fell in long cascades down her back, black as night. She didn’t have the emerald eyes of her sister but dark pools of brown, mysterious in their own way.
Claudia noticed the scrutiny and a crack in her poise emerged as she fidgeted. Seth realized his mistake and had to avert his eyes and pretend to be interested in the surroundings.
“A lovely tour,” he commented. “Our kingdoms know so little about each other and yet we are to be joined.”
“Indeed,” Claudia agreed regaining some of her composure.
“I look forward to learning more from you, Princess.”
Claudia smiled warmly and slightly bowed. “And I you, Prince. Perhaps we can talk further tomorrow at the ball. After you and your guests have settled in.”
“Until then.” Seth returned the small bow and waited until she started back down the hallway to the main area of the palace before allowing the sadness to wash away the polite look he’d kept plastered on his face. “Settle in,” he told Talon and Derrick. “Join the royal family for dinner and make my apologies. I do not think I have the stomach to endure anymore political pleasantries for today.”
* * *
The next morning did not bring relief to the ache in Seth’s chest. Still, he got up, washed himself and dressed in his kingdom’s tunic, and put on his princely mask. It was early, still dark outside but Seth hadn’t slept well last night and he was getting anxious in his quarters. Skipping dinner left his stomach hollow with hunger and he decided to go straight to the kitchens to see if there were any scraps available he could swipe from breakfast preparation. His being foreign and wandering unchaperoned into the kitchens was still more comfortable than waiting until the palace had woken up and sitting stiffly across from King Byron at the formal table.
Candor’s palace was constructed logically and Seth followed the hallway to where he surmised the staff would be bustling about behind the scenes. He knew he was close when his nose picked up on wafts of cinnamon and raisins and fried pork. His mouth watered.
A final turn had him entering a wide, warm, stone-walled room with a wooden counter running the length of the walls and a wooden slab table in the middle. Flour dusted many of the surfaces as two portly women shuffled around. On the table in the middle sat prepared pastries and with her head bent over them was Amelie. Her dark hair shielded her eyes.
“Are you going to drool over them or are you going to pick one, Princess?” one woman snapped affectionately at Amelie.
Even though he couldn’t see it, he could sense her grin. “I’m deciding my favorite, Gem,” she replied, not looking up. “I’m here so few times. It would be a curse on the angels if I got full on one pastry before another caught my eye as my absolute favorite.”
“They’re all your favorites and you’re a fool and a half if you think you’ll stop piling them in your stomach after one,” Gem shot back. Amelie let out a full bodied laugh as her hand selected a golden tart with yellow filling. She closed her eyes and let the bite fill her mouth. Seth couldn’t recall if he’d ever seen her so unguarded awake. He knew this carefree look on her face only on the nights when she slept without nightmares, when her mind was far from the troubles that plagued it in her waking hours.
Starting to feel like an intrusion, he cleared his throat to announce his presence. Still caught in the moment, Amelie opened her eyes and saw him. Her smile grew even brighter if such a thing were possible after taking a bite out of what looked like the most delicious pastry on earth. Her eyes held his and in an instant he saw all that brightness fade as she came back to reality. A cold politeness took over her face, replacing her moment of elation.
“Good morning, Prince,” she offered.
The tightness returned to his chest.
“Princess,” he returned.
“Oh!” Princess Claudia let out an exclamation. She emerged from the pantry carrying oats and dried fruits and she plopped them on the table next to the prepared tarts. “We weren’t expecting you, Prince Seth. Not at this hour and not here in the kitchens.”
Strands of hair wisped around her face and her smock was dusted in the same flour as the cooks. Seth noticed Amelie’s appearance matched. Whereas Amelie looked comfortable in her current state, Claudia suddenly looked on edge. Seth guessed she was rarely out of form around visitors.
“My apologies. I couldn’t sleep and the smells from
the kitchen were wonderful.”
Gem grunted, sounding pleased. Amelie let her coldness slip for a moment with a small smile aimed at him. “Smart man,” she praised. “That’s the quickest way to get the largest portions at dinner.”
“I’m a fan of the truth and even more so if it benefits me in such a way.”
“Prince Seth,” Claudia cut in. “I can clean up and show you to the dining room if you’re hungry.”
Amelie shook her head and sighed. “He’d be more comfortable here, Claudia.” She turned to him. “My sister and I wake up early and help with breakfast preparations whenever I stay in the castle. Like we used to when we were little. I get to spend time with Gem who I miss dearly, we get the food fresh and we get to skip out on the dull talk of weather and news in the morning with the king. You’re welcome to join us, Prince.”
Seth wished she’d stop calling him that but he warmed a little at the invitation. “I’d love to.”
He pulled up a stool to the table and Claudia also sat down, stiffly and still a little uncomfortable.
“Which one should I choose?” he asked, perusing the options.
“They’re all heaven,” Amelie praised. “But my favorite this morning is the peach.”
“I’m partial to the strawberry,” Claudia put in. “The garden produces the most succulent strawberries and Gem knows how to turn them into bites of bliss.”
“I shall try them all,” Seth declared, but his fingers found the peach first and he took a large bite. Amelie’s shifting glance told him she did not miss this gesture.
“Prince Seth, if you’re quite settled, I can give you a tour of the gardens and the rest of the palace,” Claudia offered.
Seth shifted in his seat. “I have much correspondence to write. We left Draeden so suddenly.”
“After that,” Amelie piped up. “Late morning, perhaps? Surely you don’t plan to write home all the hours of the day up until the ball.”
Seth cocked his head at her. “No. I don’t.” He turned a smile to the other princess. “I would love to, Princess, thank you. I see the kindness doesn’t stop with your sister.”
Amelie’s eyes clouded. “It doesn’t. She has more of it actually, I’m afraid. If you find me kind, you shall be spinning with delight at the amount she harbors.”
“Stop, Amelie,” Claudia protested. “Perhaps you could join us. Then both of you could tell me the tales of your journey.”
“Dreadfully boring tale, Claudia,” Amelie murmured. Prince Seth grew hot.
“Amelie, you never tell me about your travels anymore. Sometimes I feel as though Millie has the advantage. I should like to accompany you on one of them.”
Amelie’s eyes snapped to her sister. “Your place is here, Claudia. The people love you.”
“They would love you too if we could bring you out of hiding. Surely, now that Draeden knows of you-"
“It would not be wise, sister. Not with the treaty in place.”
“A treaty in which I know few details. Perhaps this is the time to share? The tale of how I came to be betrothed to a Prince of Draeden?” Claudia laughed lightly, but neither Amelie nor Seth joined in.
Amelie forced a tight smile. “There will be time enough for that.” She stood and hugged her sister. “As for the invitation, I will pass. I know this palace and…and the two of you need some time alone to get to know each other, I think.” Seth looked at his hands and tried not to react. “Derrick owes me some lessons,” Amelie said quickly. “I think I’ll see if my friend is up yet.”
And with that she hurried out of the kitchen.
Chapter 36
Seth
Seth gripped his tankard. The ball was an affair of laughing, drinking, and joyous music but none of it eased his melancholy. The festivities around him blurred into seamless streaks of color as the brightly woven fabrics of the ladies’ dresses danced around him to the music. Princess Claudia was engaged in a lengthily conversation with a few dignitaries on crop dispersal. Perhaps that was her power. Mediation. She did it constantly. In her looks to fellow peers, in the purr of her voice. She was forever soothing worries, finding middles. Even with him, he almost felt placated as she navigated this new relationship thrust upon them. They spent most of the afternoon idly wandering the grounds. Her voice was colored with shyness when they were alone and given any other circumstances, he would not consider marriage to her such a burden to bear. She was pleasing and gentle and could make a man forget his troubles for a while. But it was a natural charm she wielded. He did not detect a trace of magic in her.
Amelie had none of that diplomacy. Her face gave away her feelings too readily. She was on constant alert, slow to trust anyone, and unable to fake attention. Only when she had them ensnared did she relax her body. Even then, her eyes were furtive as she completed her task, looking to extricate herself from the exchange as soon as she could.
Right now her uneasiness shone like a beacon, cutting through the mist of colors. Seth could not stop glancing at her. The ale and the bustle around him made him increasingly bold in his observation, feeling his attention concealed in all the ruckus. She stood against a pillar on the edge of the party counting time. She was dressed in simple service attire, blending in with the kitchen staff who stood ready to refill wine glasses and passing out samples of delicates from the cook.
Suddenly, her eyes cut to his and she caught him watching her. They looked to the ceiling in exasperation and filled with moisture. Wiping a finger underneath her eye to catch any evidence of her being affected, she turned, whispered quickly to a nearby servant, and disappeared into the dark hallways behind her.
Seth was up in a flash, striding through the dancers. He did not have to go too far. She had stopped halfway down the hallway and was taking in steadying breaths and wringing her hands. He stopped in front of her and looked at her wordlessly. Then his fingers curled around her upper arm and they were walking. Her several, hurried steps to his long, loping spans. He felt her pull from him, but it was slight and he knew the damage she could inflict if she was set on stopping their progress. Her effort was less than halfhearted.
He found a darkened room after several turns and shut the heavy oak behind him.
“What room is this?” he asked.
“One of the councilman’s study. He is gone this season to his holdings in the north.”
Seth was on her in an instant. His lips found hers in the darkness and he gathered her flush against him tightly. Tighter still when she moaned her desire for him. She gripped his neck and kissed him back. A desk behind them served its purpose in height and Seth lifted her onto the slab of wood without breaking from her mouth. The simple servant skirt she wore lifted easily and she sighed as he found his way into her.
He pushed silently, his hand firmly on her lower back. From the position on the desk, moonlight scattered into the room dropping on her dark hair and into her eyes. She looked at him while he moved inside her. The love he saw reflected back at him almost broke him. Her eyes misted. He pushed deeper. Every thrust pushed thoughts of their kingdoms, Rankor, Claudia, and the impossibility of it all further from his mind.
She broke their gaze to pull his mouth to hers and he responded eagerly. Their kiss deepened as he moved faster. Her thighs pressed against his side. He felt the ache of release build. He shut his eyes. Not yet. He still needed her. He still needed this moment.
She cried his name in ecstasy and he could wait no longer. Finished, he slid down the length of the desk, pulling her with him and clutching her form to his chest. His lips found the top of her head and rested there. It was a peaceful dark, like the space of peace they had found in their haven of trees on the journey here.
“I love you,” he whispered into her hair.
“It’s not enough.” Her voice was light in the air, softer than his own whisper but the punch was harder than one of Derrick’s well-placed practice blows.
“It’s enough right now, Amelie.” He held her tighter.
&nb
sp; She looked at him sadly. “Seth.”
He wanted to squeeze her more tightly as if the action would make everything right but he dropped his arms in hopeless frustration.
“I’ll leave for the convent tonight. You won’t see me again until the wedding.” She rose and walked to the door, turning to look back at him from the entrance. “The sooner we accept this…” she didn’t finish and he nodded blankly.
His eyes rose to the ceiling and he sighed as he bit back futile words. When he looked back down, she was gone.
* * *
The next morning had Seth and Claudia sitting at the large oak table in the back of the kitchen again. He knew Amelie would steal away in the night, but he still came down to this spot in hopes of seeing her tan skin and dark shoulder length hair covering her face and she perused the morning pastries.
Amelie’s absence worsened the ache in his chest. This time he did not make conversation or attempt a reassuring smile. Claudia ate silently next to him, aware at his change in behavior and puzzled at her sister’s sudden absence.
The prince, ever the diplomat as was his future wife, could not bring himself to care. He stared absently at the hearth fire, not tasting his food. Trying to foster a relationship with the woman across from him, the very notion of trying to speak to her this morning, felt like it would tarnish the feelings he had as he made love to Amelie in the darkened rooms of the castle last night. Like it would steal away what left he had of her in his memory now that she was gone.
He pushed his chair back noisily from the table, gave a curt nod to Princess Claudia, and walked down the hall in sadness to his quarters.
Chapter 37
Amelie