Dr. Jacob’s eyes widened even further, but he didn’t comment on it. “We’re finished here. I’ll message King Dawson when I have results.”
Roland had taken a seat but now he stood. “Thank you, Dr. Jacobs.”
Roanna stood from the patient table, but she hesitated in joining Roland. “How long until you have results?” Her whole world hung on the balance of this test.
“A few days.” The doctor offered a kind smile.
Roanna nodded then moved to Roland’s side. He led her back to the main palace entrance then up a grand staircase. “You will be comfortable here, Princess. We’ll call for you as soon as we get the results.”
She smiled her thanks, and he led her to the same room she’d used the last time she had been here. He opened the door to let her in, and a wave of memories hit her. Memories of seeing Ben come around the corner and him pushing his way into her room. Holding her. Saying he loved her.
“Did you hear me, Princess?” Roland frowned at her.
She pushed away the memories. “I’m sorry. I’m so overwhelmed by everything.”
He smiled. “It’s fine. I said you shouldn’t use your powers here. There are others of the royal line who could overhear, and we don’t want them to know what’s happening just yet.”
“Of course.” But as he left her standing in her doorway, her mind worked. Who else was in the palace who could hear her? Stefan, perhaps. But his bride couldn’t hear thoughts, nor could Queen Katherine. As far as she knew, the other brothers were not at the palace.
King Dawson and Roland might want to communicate without Roanna hearing. In that case, she would be sure to listen.
56
Ben
Ben focused on Father’s words. They confirmed what he’d already begun to suspect; Dawsonian rebels were working against the Dawson royal family. “Do you mean to say the attacks have been orchestrated by the Maynes?”
Father glanced at Gregory then back to Ben. “The intelligence gathered by Chester’s Wake was very strong. The signal for the remote-controlled war bot originated from their estate. Perhaps they’ve been working with someone else, as well.”
Working with someone? Gregory had mentioned that the Sterns were not loyal to the Dawson family. It was likely they were the Maynes’ accomplices.
Fury boiled inside him. While he dined with the Maynes, they were sending a war bot to attack his people. He clenched his fists, willing himself to stay calm.
Gregory shook his head. “Why did Father not mention this to me?” He stood and paced the small hospital room. “Why would rebels start a war and blame the Dawsons?” He didn’t mention the Sterns, but he had to be thinking about his relationship with Merry.
Ben took in Father’s weakened form then shot from his seat and joined Gregory’s pacing. Heat washed over him. He would seek his revenge on the Dawsonians who would do such a thing. And to think he’d considered marrying one of them.
“We need to renounce our marriage agreement with these people. I do not wish to marry any of their noble women.”
Mother took in a sharp breath. “Ben, you’re being too hasty in this. It isn’t the Dawsons who attacked, only a handful of their people.”
“I will not marry into a line that might later turn out to be rebellious. We can never know the depth of the traitors.” How could he trust any of them after this?
Mother stood and hurried to him. “Roanna is still engaged to Roland Dawson. She will not be yours simply because you break your marriage agreement.”
Ben shook his head and focused on Father. “You would have me marry someone whose countrymen would do such a thing as this?”
Father watched him, his eyes sad. Finally, he shook his head. “I won’t ask you to do it if your conscious is seared against them. The choice is yours, but please don’t make it hastily.”
His softly spoken speech calmed Ben, but only slightly.
“Don’t forget, the Dawsons could hold it against us if you break the agreement.” Mother returned to her seat at Father’s side, but she was clearly unhappy.
“We are helping to clear their name after rebels in their own country attacked us and wounded our king,” Ben said. “They cannot hold it against us if we break the betrothal.” He knew it was true.
“Calm down.” Father’s voice barely reached through the ringing in his ears. “The intelligence is not yet complete. We are working to uncover everyone involved before we react.”
Ben threw a look Gregory’s way. His face was guarded, but he must be thinking of Merry’s family’s involvement. The Maynes and the Sterns were rebels. Who else in Dawson’s Edge?
His hands clenched and unclenched. “Let us retaliate, Father. Sometimes a fight is the only way to keep the peace. How many more should die?”
Mother frowned and her brow creased. “This is not the Loxian way.”
Anger boiled over. “Look at Father!” he shouted. “Is the Loxian way to roll over and die?” His entire life he had played along, followed the laws, and kept the peace in order to maintain freedom. Lox lived in happiness because of it. But bowing to the enemy in order to keep the peace was not freedom at all. He would not stand idly by and let the Dawsonian dissenters destroy his kingdom in order to purge their own.
Mother’s eyes widened at his tone, and he took a deep breath. “I apologize, Mother. But I’ve done everything you’ve asked. You even wanted me to marry a Dawsonian—against my wishes—and I played along. Now two of those women I danced with are a part of my father’s injuries.”
Father frowned. “Two women? You know the other rebels?”
Ben glanced at Gregory again. He stood near the window now, a pained look on his face.
“The Sterns are involved, I’m almost certain of it. They want the royal family gone. Apparently, they will stop at nothing.”
Father grunted as he shifted in the bed, the news distressing him. “Gregory, what do you say to all of this?”
Gregory’s jaw worked as he tightened his bite. But then his face changed, and panic lingered in his eyes. “Roanna.”
Ben frowned. “What about her?”
“She left with Roland. She’s in Dawson’s Edge now. What if the rebels attack the royals, and she’s put in danger?” He marched toward the door.
“What do you mean?” Ben grabbed his arm. “We left her in Lox this morning.”
Gregory shook his head. “No.” He dug in his inside jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope. “She asked me to give this to you. She was leaving with Roland Dawson, and she said this would explain everything.”
Hot dread washed over Ben. He tore open the letter.
My Dearest Ben,
I’ve tried to reach you twice now. I understand why you would not speak to me last night, though it hurt me deeply. I tried again this morning, but you had already gone. Roland Dawson has shed light on the search we’ve been on these last few months. He promises answers, but only if I see King Bartholomew, whom he claims has the answers. We leave this morning for Dawson’s Edge. I hope I am not walking into a trap, but because you vehemently explained your trust toward King Dawson, I believe I am acting wisely. Gregory knows my whereabouts, as I didn’t feel fully comfortable leaving without any word to anyone.
I am sorry to leave your family in your time of need. I sincerely pray for King Neville’s recovery, and for the attackers to be caught. I do not know when we will see each other again, or if either of us will be married when that happens. But please know I will always love you even if we are never more than the dearest of friends.
I will try to send word again, just as soon as I acquire the answers we have so desperately sought.
All my love,
Roanna
Ben crumpled the letter in his hands, closed his eyes, and sucked in a deep breath. What if the Maynes and Sterns learned she was in the Dawsons’ palace? They could stir up war with Lox and Chester’s Wake all at once by attacking.
“Ben, you must let us in on what is happening.�
� Mother spoke softly as she pried the letter from his hands. As she read it, confusion replaced concern.
“What does this mean, son? What answers have you been seeking?”
Gregory shook his head. “You can stay and explain if you like, but I am going to retrieve her.”
Ben gripped his arm again. “Wait for me. Give me a half hour, and we will go together.”
Gregory’s nostrils flared, but he nodded.
Ben returned to Father’s side, with Mother beside him. “I will explain all in time, but Roanna is in danger. If the rebels wish to start a war, then harming Roanna while in Dawson’s Edge is the perfect way to do it. Will you allow me to go?”
Mother didn’t look happy, but she nodded.
“Father?”
Father seemed a mix of awe and irritation. “Go, but you must communicate with us. Give us an idea of these answers you’ve been seeking.”
Ben’s mind raced. What could he say without sounding absurd? “Roanna and I discovered—a plan, if you will—to cover up strange happenings on the night of Roanna’s birth.”
The frown lines on Mother’s forehead deepened. “What on earth? You are speaking in riddles.”
“We don’t have time for this.” Gregory gripped the door handle.
Ben turned back to Mother and Father. “Please, I will explain all in time.”
Father and Mother nodded, and he raced to the door to join Gregory.
Please give us speed to save her.
If the rebels harmed her, he would never forgive himself. And the Dawsonians would pay.
57
Roanna
Roanna sneaked from her room. She crept along the dark halls of the palace, working out her brain muscles as she went. Stretching her ability to sense without being sensed.
Powerful was what Roland had called her. She hadn’t considered it until now, but if he called her powerful, did that mean she was better at controlling the power than he was? More powerful than King Dawson?
She paused at a corner and swallowed hard. Could she truly be related to King Bartholomew Dawson? To Roland Dawson?
At least it appeared she wouldn’t have to marry Roland. But what then? Would Mother and Father disown her—a child they’d raised but who held an anomaly, a condition they actively worked to stomp out in their own kingdom? And how would the Bellevues see her? Lox practiced Termination as well.
She moved quietly around the corner and toward King Dawson’s offices. Tiny chills washed over her as she drew closer. She worked to control them but only barely so that maybe she could hear them without being detected herself.
But as she worked her mind, she heard nothing.
The palace’s office area was busy. Were they all working on the Loxian attack intelligence? Was Ben already at his father’s side? Had Gregory given him the note she wrote?
He’d only agreed to deliver the note after she pressured him. He even reminded her that Ben had promised Queen Frieda to leave Roanna alone. He said she was torturing Ben by continuing to throw herself at him.
Roanna had nearly slapped him for that remark, and he’d finally agreed to take the letter when she’d assured him it had nothing to do with their relationship and everything to do with their kingdoms’ safety.
She watched the Dawsonian officials bustle about. She could inch her way to King Dawson’s office, but that was likely to get her noticed.
With the office’s preoccupation, no one seemed to notice either way. She hurried through the hustle and stopped outside his door. Voices came from inside, but she couldn’t make out what was being said.
Footsteps drew closer, and Roanna turned to a desk on her left. She shuffled papers, pretending to be busy as an aide rushed inside the king’s office. Roanna turned quickly and stuck a pen in the door so it wouldn’t close all the way. Her ploy worked, and the door stayed open a crack.
“What do you intend to do with her?” Roland asked.
“You can’t marry her, obviously,” the king answered.
“I’ve told her as much. Do you think Chester’s Wake will break the peace treaty?”
A pause and then, “We will have to ensure they don’t. We need them now more than ever, especially if Lox believes we orchestrated the attack.”
A chill raced down Roanna’s spine. What would they do to her family? To her? And what did they mean about needing Chester’s Wake now more than ever?
The memory of King Dawson’s fear of rebellion filled her mind. It must be rebels who were responsible for the attacks against Lox. What about the skirmishes along the border with Chester’s Wake? Perhaps it was all rebel activity, and King Dawson hadn’t been able to stop it.
They sought to fulfill peace treaties with Lox and Chester’s Wake in order to keep their kingdom from falling apart. And now she was one of them.
She backed from the door just as it flew open and the same aide as before came rushing out. He stopped short, giving her an odd look. But he kept moving without ratting her out.
She turned to hurry back to her room, but it was too late. Roland and King Dawson stepped from the office. Their gazes fell on her immediately, and King Dawson’s eyes narrowed.
Roanna refused to cower under his fierceness.
“You should have heeded my advice to stay put, princess.” Roland took her arm, but still the action was gentle.
“You’ll forgive me if I don’t trust you.” She silently congratulated herself at keeping her voice from shaking.
Roland still held her arm as he guided her away from the offices. He sighed. “I do forgive you, and I understand. But you must take my word. We wish you no harm.”
“And what will King Dawson do if my family wishes to break the peace treaty? If we are not to marry?”
“I cannot say, as I am not the king. But we wish you and your family no harm.”
No use arguing, but Roanna wanted to press him further. Icy fingers wrapped around her throat, and she struggled to breathe deeply.
Family. Who was her family? The Dawsons or the Hamiltons?
He returned her to her room. “I do not wish to lock you in, but you’ve left me no choice.” He pulled the door closed behind her, and a lock clicked into place.
Roanna laid her forehead against the door and sighed. Coming had been foolish, but the genetic testing wouldn’t have happened otherwise. It had been her only choice. She looked around, contemplating her options. They were limited.
She fell to her knees and bowed her head.
Let me escape this Dawsonian prison, and keep my family safe. My Chester’s Wake family.
58
Hours passed and no one came to let her out. Nor did Roland or King Dawson return for her. She paced, her mind racing with thoughts. She’d been over the information a dozen times: the doctor at her birth, the warning, her long hair, and the information Roland had given her.
How had Dr. Presnell known she would be of the Dawsonian line? He had obviously known she would have powers, and those in Dawson’s Edge knew that only the royal family had these powerful abilities. It stood to reason that the doctor knew where she came from.
But how could she come from anywhere other than Mother’s womb? Mother was present at Roanna’s birth, after all. The whole thing was much too confusing.
A knock sounded, and Roanna bolted toward the door. “Please let me out!” she pleaded.
A lock slid out of place, and Roland stepped inside. He closed the door softly behind him. “I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long. Are you hungry?”
“You lock me in my room as I await news of my lineage, and you propose I eat first?”
“We have initial reports back from Dr. Jacobs, it is true. But they are not entirely conclusive at the moment. We must await the full report.”
“What? Why?”
Roland seemed…uncomfortable.
“What are you holding back? I came here voluntarily, and now you keep me captive.” She lifted her chin, hoping her royal indignation might sway him. Appar
ently, she was correct.
Roland’s throat moved as he swallowed. “Your genetic testing assured us you are a part of the Dawsonian line, which we already knew based on your powers. However, the testing hasn’t concluded paternal results.”
Paternal results? Cold wrapped around her once again, and her stomach churned. “Tell me what that means.”
But Roland wouldn’t be swayed further. “It means you are definitely a Dawson, but we don’t know by whom. If you won’t eat, I will leave you in peace.”
She grabbed his arm. “Please! Don’t keep me locked here. Allow me to roam freely. There are gardens here. Can’t I go there?”
Roland paused once again. Finally, he gave a single nod. “I will assign you a guard. You may visit the gardens, the library, or the dining room. That is all, for now. You shouldn’t have gone sneaking around.” He shook his head and sighed. “Wait for the guard’s knock. It will come shortly.” He pulled away from her grasp and relocked her inside her room.
Tears sprang to Roanna’s eyes but did not spill over. How could she sit still knowing one of the Dawson men was her father? What of her real father? The one who now ruled over Chester’s Wake?
She realized her hands were shaking, and she clasped them tightly and sat on the edge of her bed. This was worse than any nightmare she could ever imagine.
The tears burned her eyelids and threatened to race down her cheeks.
A knock sounded, and she jumped.
The guard. She hurried to open the door. A large man stood in front of her. “I am to escort you to the gardens, Your Highness.”
She swallowed her nerves and wiped away the tears that hadn’t made it out. “Thank you.” Her voice warbled. She stepped into the hallway and made her way to the Dawsonian royal gardens.
59
Ben
“You should have given me the letter as soon as you saw me.” Ben fumed as they boarded the airship for Dawson’s Edge. Gregory had been in contact with his father, and King Hamilton had contacted Dawson’s Edge, who had confirmed Roanna’s presence and safety.
The Rejected Princess Page 21