“I’m looking for a killer,” Ruben announced, making his own tone equally chilly. He could go with courtly B.S. or try the direct approach. Considering the contempt with which this king eyed him, he figured he didn’t have time to waste with hints and innuendos. “Someone from your kingdom traveled to my home and murdered one of my servants.”
The instant he finished speaking, the room erupted in chatter. The king silenced them all with a single wave of his hand, an impressive feat. “You are mistaken,” he said. “Our people do not kill.”
The arrogance of the statement was not lost on Ruben.
“I’ve seen him. He followed your daughter from this land to mine. I happened to be in the woods when he did so.”
“So? What proof do you have?”
“My mother saw him. She has described him perfectly, right down to the violet eyes. Only one people have such a physical trait. Therefore, I know he’s from here.”
Again the crowd began to whisper and gossip. Once more, the king waved them to silence. “Why should I believe you?”
Ruben fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Why would I lie? I have nothing to gain and everything to lose, traveling to your realm in search of a killer.”
The king frowned. “You say you’ve seen him?”
Ruben nodded.
“And would you recognize this man if you were to see him again?”
“Yes. I am sure of it.” And he was. Even though the other man had looked exactly like most of the men present—tall, blond, with piercing violet or purple eyes—Ruben felt certain he could recognize his features.
“I see.” Turning to the queen, the king spoke with her in a voice too low to be heard.
While he waited, Ruben realized how much this task meant to him. Not only would this search for the killer distract him from the approach of the madness he so greatly feared, but if he was successful, he might also succeed in banishing that completely. Here, he’d have no choice but to stay human.
Next to him, Ruben felt Willow tense. He glanced down at her to see why and realized her attention was fixed on a doorway midway between them and the throne.
Two people stood there, both elegantly beautiful, with shimmering blond hair and well-built physiques. After a quick glance at the man, Ruben’s gaze was drawn to the female, the most amazing-looking woman he’d ever seen. With her lush figure draped in a bright red dress that wrapped around her like a caress, perfectly showcasing her curvy figure, she actually glowed with beauty. If that weren’t enough, the exotic tilt to her violet eyes and her plump, bow-shaped lips completed the package.
Dazedly, he thought if Hollywood ever saw her, she’d be an instant sensation. No movie star or model could even hope to hold a candle to her.
“My sister, Tatiana,” Willow drawled in a low voice. “And her fiancé, Prince Eric.”
Though he nodded, he couldn’t tear his gaze away from them long enough to respond.
As they advanced into the room, Ruben noticed an instant softening in both the king and queen. In contrast, Willow gripped his arm hard enough to draw his attention back to her.
“My darling,” the queen all but cooed. “Come, join us.” She held out one slender, regal hand, one side of her scarlet mouth turning up in a mocking smile. “Look at what your sister has done now.”
Tatiana’s tinkling laugh drifted through the room, making everyone smile in response. Everyone, that is, except Willow. She seemed resigned and apprehensive, an interesting combination. The undercurrents he sensed here would put his own royal court to shame.
Flanked by the tall blond man, Tatiana drifted closer in a cloud of exotic scent. His wolf twitched away from it, finding it distasteful. Part of Ruben agreed. The other part of him wanted to reach and touch her to make sure she was real.
“What have we here?” she purred, barely glancing at Willow as her bright purple gaze undressed him. Though she was undeniably gorgeous, Ruben knew her type. Man-eater, he thought. He’d do well to steer clear of this one.
Still eyeing him, Tatiana lifted one golden brow at her sister. “Willow, wherever did you find him? And tell me, dear sister,” she said as she leaned close, her smile seeming almost a snarl up close, “when did you start associating with humans?”
Ruben’s inner wolf growled. It took every ounce of willpower he possessed to keep from recoiling from her.
Willow straightened. She drew herself up to her full height which was, unfortunately, at least six inches shorter than her sister. “He’s here for a reason.” She pitched her voice loud enough to carry. “And that has absolutely nothing to do with me.”
“You brought him through the veil,” Queen Millicent pointed out, her dulcet tone dripping with malice. “Therefore, I would think his presence has everything to do with you.”
“Not of my own free will,” Willow answered.
At that, the entire room gasped.
“But he is here of his own free will?” the king asked, his tone making it plain the answer mattered.
Though Ruben decided he didn’t much care, he knew Willow did. Taking a step forward, he distanced himself from both the pushy beauty and her quietly gorgeous sister. Willow released her hold on his arm.
“I am,” he answered.
Crossing half the remaining distance to the throne, he wasn’t surprised when six guards moved forward to intercept him. He stopped and spread his arms, addressing himself to the king and queen. “I mean no disrespect, your Highnesses.”
The royal couple glared at him, but the king waved his hand, indicating he should be allowed to continue.
“I am Prince Ruben of Teslinko.” Straightening his shoulders, Ruben brushed past the guards, aware his title should give him some special consideration, even though they’d chosen to ignore it when he’d been introduced. “I have come here to ask your leave to hunt down the killer and bring him back to my home for justice.”
The king and queen exchanged looks. Neither expression revealed a clue as to their thoughts. Both focused their intent gazes on Ruben.
Every time they moved, the light shattered, sending shards of brilliance reflecting off everything else in the room. Willow hadn’t been joking when she’d said her people favored bright and gaudy. Ruben’s head began to hurt and again he longed for a pair of dark sunglasses.
“We will consider your request,” King Puck said. “And we will talk more in private.”
“Yes,” Queen Millicent echoed. “We are very interested in learning about this crime, particularly how our daughter the Princess Willow came to be involved.”
Tatiana laughed again. “Perhaps my sister’s fiancé should stay closer to her. Eric, where is Prince Chad?”
Silent until now, the tall blond man at her side frowned. “I haven’t seen him. I must find him and warn him about this interloper.” With a sharp glare at Ruben, Eric strode off. Tatiana watched him go, the expression on her lovely face something akin to relief.
Beside him, Willow stirred restlessly.
As Ruben was about to speak, the king waved his hand. Just like that, they were dismissed. The guards surrounded them again and escorted them from the room. Willow went willingly, appearing both calm and happy. Ruben really couldn’t blame her. His head ached.
On the way out, Ruben caught one more glimpse of Tatiana, as her gaze followed them with barely disguised dismay. He couldn’t help but wonder why.
When they’d proceeded through a set of ornately carved double doors and into the hall, the guards finally left them, turning back the way they’d come.
“Phew,” Willow let out her breath in a sigh. “Thank the stars that’s over.”
She said the words like she’d never attended court before. About to ask, he stopped himself. What did it matter? He was here to find a killer and prove his sanity, even if only to himself, not to make friends with Willow.
His wolf slinked close to the edge of his awareness. The beast had retreated, repelled by Tatiana. Now that Ruben was alone with Willow, the wolf
sidled near the surface, intrigued and attracted.
Ruben ignored it. He glanced at Willow. When he did, she quickly looked away.
Suddenly, he realized why. “You didn’t tell me you were engaged.”
Lifting one shoulder, she grimaced. “I’m not entirely sure I am. My parents are trying to arrange a marriage between me and Tatiana’s fiancé’s younger brother. Neither of us has committed to it.”
The idea of her and another man rankled. Surprised and disturbed, he pushed the thought away. What Willow did with her life didn’t matter to him. Finding the killer did.
“What now?” he asked, eager to begin his search. “I’m ready to go.”
“You don’t yet have permission,” she reminded him, making him wonder how she’d known his thoughts. “Until you do, let me find you somewhere to stay.” He couldn’t help but notice that she still wouldn’t look at him.
“Wait.” He stopped her with a light touch on the shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong? Honestly?” Bitterness tinged her tone. “Let’s start with you handcuffing me and forcing me to bring you here. Which of course, brought me to the attention of my parents, especially my mother.”
“Attention of...” This, he didn’t understand. “You’re a royal princess.” He thought of his sister, and how often Alisa had complained about what to her had felt like constant scrutiny. Willow probably felt the same. “Surely they are well aware of your activities,” he finished.
“I take pains to make certain they aren’t,” she said darkly. “Especially my mother.”
He almost smiled at this, then remembered the strange, almost vindictive way the queen had behaved a few moments ago. “Is she angry at you?”
“Perpetually.” She grimaced. “Actually, she finds everything I do, including breathing, both humiliating and embarrassing.”
In her tone he detected bewilderment and hurt. For the briefest of instants, he wanted to pull her close, hold her and tell her everything would be all right.
Of course he immediately pushed that thought away. She wouldn’t appreciate his pity. “I want to apologize for involving you in this,” he said, meaning it. “While my intention isn’t to hurt you in any way, I don’t see how I could have done this differently.”
When she began to speak, he held up a hand to indicate he hadn’t finished. “But you should understand, I really have no choice. Murder is not taken lightly among my people—among any people. I must find this killer and bring him to justice.”
Her entire body, which had gone tense, relaxed slightly. “Follow me,” she said, and turned away. He kept pace with her as they marched down one glittering hallway after another. The palace appeared so deserted, he began to wonder if they all were in the throne room holding court with the king and queen.
When they finally ran into a servant, Willow asked the golden coated footman to stop. Ruben stared in disbelief as the man ignored her, continuing on as though she hadn’t spoken.
Stunned, Ruben cleared his throat. “Wait,” he ordered.
Immediately the man froze in his tracks. Slowly, he turned and walked back to them. “Can I help you, sir?” he asked, addressing Ruben as if Willow didn’t exist.
“Your princess called you,” Ruben said, his cold tone letting the man know he’d better listen this time.
Willow stepped forward. “This is Prince Ruben. I need you to make sure a room is made ready for him.”
The footman darted his gaze from her to Ruben and back again. Expression like stone, Ruben dared him to protest. He wasn’t sure what exactly was going on here, but first impressions told him there wasn’t anything friendly about this palace, especially toward Willow.
“Yes, my lady,” the man finally said, the faintest sneer in his voice. Then, directing his gaze back at Ruben, he dipped his head. “Sir, if you’ll follow me...”
Ruben glanced at Willow, who plainly had no intention of going with him. She waved him on, smiling slightly. “I’ll meet you at the noon meal. Maybe by then, my parents will have made up their mind about you.”
And then, her back straight, she walked away, leaving him without a backward glance.
Chapter 9
About to enter the grand throne room right behind his brother and Princess Tatiana, some sixth sense had made Chad hang back. As he listened to the uproar from inside the room, he was very glad he’d stayed out.
Especially when he’d heard this Prince Ruben person state unequivocally that he would recognize the man who’d been following Willow through the forest.
How was this possible? He would have sworn no one had seen him. Clenching his fists, he swallowed back a rush of fury. This man, this human interloper, could identify him? This he could not allow to happen. If what he’d done was revealed, his family and the entire EastWard Court would have their reputations ruined. His parents would never forgive him and he’d be banished to live among the Shadows. With his Bright coloring, he knew he’d be lucky to survive a week.
In that instant, he knew what he’d have to do. Unless he was successful in disguising his appearance until he could return home, he might have to take extreme action and get rid of the only one who could identify him. This Prince Ruben would have to die. Soon. And if Willow got in the way, he’d kill her, too.
* * *
Once she’d taken her leave of Ruben, Willow hurried down the hallway. She knew she wouldn’t be left alone for long. In fact, at any moment she expected Tatiana to come sailing around the corner. Or, even worse, her sister would find out where Ruben was staying and show up at his door, prepared to practice her considerable wiles on Ruben in order to learn everything she possibly could about Willow’s involvement with him.
Stress tightened her chest. Either that or Prince Chad—who was conspicuously absent—would come looking for her, though he certainly hadn’t seemed all that interested in staking a claim.
While she certainly didn’t welcome either prospect, if given a choice, she’d take Chad over Tatiana any day. The man seemed to be harmless. Tatiana was less complicated, but her intentions as transparent as glass. Chad appeared reasonable. Normal, even.
By the time the bells were rung for the midday meal, she’d relaxed. To her astonishment, neither Tatiana nor Chad had sought her out. She’d had several hours on her own, time she’d used to shower and change into a dress her mother would consider suitable for court.
When the light tapping sounded on her door, she nearly jumped out of her skin. So much for relaxation. Heart pounding, she opened the door. Looking thoroughly annoyed, Prince Ruben stood in the hall.
“What is wrong with this place?” he asked, storming into her room. “I simply asked to be brought to your chambers. Everyone acted as though you don’t even exist.”
Mouth dry, she eyed his rugged, beautiful face and debated whether or not to tell him the truth. “Actually, to most of them, that’s true. I don’t exist. They take their cue from the king and queen. I think my parents actually wish I’d never been born.”
She’d shocked him; she could tell from the way he recoiled. “Why would you say such a thing?”
“Because,” she said sadly, “it’s the truth. There are multiple reasons for this. It’s rumored that my mother had an affair and I am the unfortunate result.”
“That would be her fault, not yours,” he said, making her feel warm at his fierce loyalty. “And the other reason?”
She sighed. “My appearance is distasteful to them. Here, two things are valued above all others. Beauty and magical powers. Because I have neither, I am considered worthless.”
He frowned. “I don’t know about magic, but you have beauty.”
Unsure whether to laugh or blush, she considered him. Was he serious or was he making fun of her? Stars help her, she saw nothing but sincerity in his face.
“You really mean that?” she asked.
“Yes.” He gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. “I’m not trying to hurt your feelings, but if we’re going t
o work together, honesty is important, don’t you think?”
Again, she heard only the important part. “Work together? Are we?”
“Of course. I need you to help me get home once I’ve completed my quest, remember?”
Just like that, her spirits deflated. “Oh, I don’t think I’ll be forgetting that any time soon,” she said drily. “Are you ready to eat?”
Again she saw she’d startled him. Had he truly forgotten about the noon meal? Her stomach growled, letting him know she hadn’t.
“Sorry.” He flashed a rueful smile. “But if this place is what I think it is, I don’t think I’m supposed to eat.”
“Why not?”
“I remember reading something or hearing something.” Scratching his head, he seemed sheepish. “About if you don’t want to come under magic’s spell or be trapped in the land of the Fairies forever, you shouldn’t eat.”
For a moment she was struck speechless, a major feat for her. A second later, she shook her head. “So tell me, do you howl at the full moon?”
He frowned. “Of course not.” Then, as comprehension dawned, he grinned. “Are you saying the food thing is superstition?”
“Yep. It’s only an old wives’ tale.” Taking his arm, she steered him in the direction of the dining hall. “Now let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
“I’m pretty hungry myself,” he admitted.
Since the luncheon was usually served buffet style and they were early, they had the place to themselves. Willow went through the line, filling her plate with brightly colored fruit and fresh crispy vegetables. Ruben followed along behind her doing the same, but stopped when they reached the end of the long table.
“Where’s the meat?” he asked, his voice pitched so low he sounded as if he was growling. In a way, he was. His wolf demanded meat, and plenty of it. “Beef or pork, or even chicken? Any of them would be fine.”
“We don’t eat meat,” she began, stopping at the pained look of horror he gave her. For a second, she saw the wolf again, teeth bared in furious hunger. At least now that made sense.
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