Four Princes: A Reverse Harem Fantasy (The Rothhaven Trilogy Book 1)

by C. J. Pinard

  Eva nodded. “Yes. Didn’t you see any burns on her?”

  “No. I didn’t see anything wrong with her at all.” In fact, she was beautiful, Mariselle thought.

  “If she wasn’t burned then she must have found a way to stop the spell.”

  Mariselle lifted a shoulder and let it fall. “I guess?”

  A sharp rap on the door interrupted their conversation.

  “Yes?” Princess Eva called, sitting up.

  The door opened and her four brothers entered the bedchamber.

  “What’s going on?” she asked them.

  “Nothing. We just wanted to find out what happened with Angelique,” Prince Griffin said, as they approached the bed.

  Mariselle looked up at the oldest prince and thought he was already looking like a grownup instead of the boy she used to play with. Looking at each one individually, she licked her lips and launched into the story yet again.

  “You’re lucky she didn’t hurt you,” Alexander said, standing next to the fireplace with his arms folded. “Did you see her wand?”

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  “Too bad you couldn’t have taken it from her,” Zackary said. “Maybe you could have even found a way to kill her with it.”

  Mariselle frowned. “Angelique was really nice to me. She even helped find the kittens. I could never hurt her.”

  “She’d hurt you, though,” Griffin replied. “It’s good your father brought you here.”

  “Yeah,” Mathias said. “We’ll protect you, Mariselle.”

  She smiled. “Thank you.”

  Another knock sounded at the door. This time, it was the queen.

  “My goodness,” she said, smiling at everyone. “You’re having a party and didn’t invite me?”

  “We were just talking about Angelique,” said the princess.

  Queen Lizbeth’s smile faded. “Don’t waste another breath discussing such dark matters. Now, it’s time to eat. Get changed and cleaned up, and meet us in the dining hall.”

  “What about Mariselle?” Princess Eva asked as the boys rushed past their mother and out of the chamber.

  The queen looked at Mariselle, who was still lying on the bed.

  Realizing she’d forgotten her manners, Mariselle quickly got up and curtsied. “I’m sorry for my rudeness, Your Majesty.”

  “Never you mind, young one.” The queen looked at her one and only daughter. “And… of course she’s invited for dinner, just as her parents are,” she said. “Loan her one of your old dresses, Eva. I’m sure you must have something stored away that will fit her, from when you were younger.”

  The princess smiled and nodded.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Mariselle said, curtsying again.

  “Of course. While you’re staying with us, you’ll be sharing all meals. We wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said, walking toward the door. She turned and smiled. “Just, don’t be late, girls.”

  “We won’t,” they said in unison.

  Princess Eva bounded off the bed and went into the wardrobe. After ruffling through it, she found light blue satin gown. While it was a little loose on Mariselle, she didn’t mind. The dress was like nothing she’d ever owned before and she almost felt like a princess herself.

  “I bet Mother would let you keep it,” Eva said as Mariselle twirled in the gown. “I certainly couldn’t fit into anymore anyway, and it looks great on you.”

  Mariselle inhaled sharply. “Really? You think I could actually have it?”

  Princess Eva nodded. “I’ll ask Mother, but I can’t see why not.”

  Mariselle ran over and gave her a hug. “I love you,” she said breathlessly. “I wish you were my sister. And not just because you’re a princess.”

  She chuckled and hugged her back. “I’d love to have a sister. Of course, no sister of mine could ever go to supper without having her hair done by Sondra.”

  Mariselle stepped back. “Really?” she asked, excited. She’d never had her hair styled by anyone but her mother before.

  “Yes.” The princess motioned to her maid, who was hanging up some of the gowns Eva had tossed aside while searching for one for Mariselle. “We don’t have a lot of time. Can you braid her hair quickly?”

  “Yes, of course, Your Highness,” Sondra replied, winking at Mariselle.

  Chapter 9

  Mariselle followed Eva into dining hall, where her mother and Eva’s brothers were seated at the royal table. Behind them were several guards dressed in full armor. Their presence made Mariselle nervous, especially the tallest one, whose eyes were cold enough to give her goosebumps.

  As they drew closer, Mariselle’s attention was drawn to the large feast laid out. It appeared there was everything from roasted chicken and pig, to berries, nuts, and some kind of pudding.

  Noticing them, the four boys stood up, as did Katrina.

  “Good evening, Your Highness,” Mariselle’s mother said to the princess, curtsying. “You look very lovely this evening.”

  Princess Eva thanked her.

  “Your preparations took longer than necessary, I believe,” the queen said to her daughter as everyone sat back down. “I almost out sent a search party for you.”

  “I’m sorry, Mother,” Princess Eva replied, looking embarrassed. “It was my fault. I wanted Mariselle to look pretty.”

  “Likely excuse. Mariselle always looks pretty,” Griffin said with a charming smile.

  Mariselle blushed and grinned back at him. She wanted to tell him that he also looked very handsome, but was too shy. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

  Winking, he grabbed a grape and popped it into his mouth.

  “My goodness,” Katrina said, her eyes wide. “I hope you thanked Princess Eva for allowing you to borrow such a beautiful gown.”

  “She most certainly did,” said the princess, answering for her.

  “Good. You’re too kind, Your Highness,” Katrina said, her eyes misting. “As are all of you for taking us in.”

  “It’s our pleasure,” the queen replied with a warm smile.

  Mariselle sat next to her mother. “Where’s Papa?”

  “To be honest, I’m not sure,” she replied.

  “He’s with the king,” Queen Lizbeth said, taking a sip of wine. “I imagine they should be joining us shortly, however.”

  Mariselle stared in awe at the sparkly rings on the queen’s fingers. Rubies, emeralds, and sapphires glittered as she set her goblet down. She recalled a conversation between her parents in regards to the queen’s clothing and jewelry. Her father had claimed that the cost of one gown could feed a family for a year. From his tone, Mariselle could tell that he hadn’t approved, either.

  The sound of clanging metal and footsteps drew everyone’s attention.

  “Speaking of which, I think that must be them, now,” the queen said, sitting back in her chair.

  King Edward, along with Mariselle’s father and six soldiers, entered the dining area. Everyone around the table, including the queen this time, rose in greeting.

  “Darling, I’m so glad you’re able join us,” she said, when Edward kissed her cheek. “You must be famished.”

  “Actually, I’ve lost most of my appetite,” he said with a sigh, sitting down.

  “I’m sure, but you need to eat to keep up your strength,” she replied.

  He nodded.

  Everyone else took their seats.

  “Have you seen Gaylen?” King Edward asked. “He seems to have disappeared again.”

  Her eyebrows knitted together. “Really?” she replied, grabbing the wine jug. She reached over and filled his goblet. “Well, I certainly haven’t seen him. Not that I was looking for Gaylen to begin with.”

  “He must be still on his mission. Hopefully, he’ll have some good news when he arrives,” the king said, reaching for a chicken leg.

  “Does he know about Angelique’s visit to the Langers?” Queen Lizbeth asked, indicating to where Mariselle and Katrina sat.

&n
bsp; “No. I haven’t seen him since early this morning,” the king replied between chews.

  A flash of light appeared and suddenly, the wizard himself was standing in the dining hall. Having never seen him before, Mariselle stared at the mage with wide eyes.

  “What do you know? Ask, and you shall receive,” the queen murmured, taking another sip of her wine.

  “Your Majesty,” Gaylen said, stepping toward the table. “Forgive me for interrupting, but we need to talk.”

  “Can’t it wait?” Queen Lizbeth said, looking irritated. “The king is eating his supper.”

  “Indeed. You may join us,” King Edward said, licking his fingers. He nodded toward an empty chair. “Sit, Gaylen.”

  “Thank you, sire,” Gaylen replied as King Edward grabbed another piece of chicken and took a bite. “I really do feel that it’s imperative we talk in private now, however.”

  The king finished chewing and dropped the piece of chicken onto his plate. “You have news of Angelique?”

  He nodded.

  The queen sighed. “Then why don’t you just share it with the rest of us? Tell us, wizard, did you manage to do your job and get rid of her?”

  Galen despised Queen Lizbeth and couldn’t wait to see the life snuffed out of her cold blue eyes. As far as the king, he’d served under much worst tyrants. If anything, Edward was too soft. The fact that he had commoners feasting at his table demonstrated it. When he became the new ruler, things would definitely change.

  “I do have some news. News that is quite unsettling, and in my opinion, not meant for young ears,” he said, motioning toward the children.

  Edward stood up. “Then let’s take this conversation elsewhere. Marcus, you will join us.”

  “Of course, Your Highness,” said the sheriff, rising out of the chair.

  “May I come, too?” Griffin asked.

  “No,” the queen said firmly.

  “Yes,” King Edward said at the same time.

  “I want to come, too,” Alexander demanded. “I saw the witch first. If it wasn’t for me, Gaylen might not have been here to protect us when she showed up yesterday.”

  His father nodded. “Yes. I agree. You should be included.”

  Alexander grinned.

  The two youngest boys began whining about wanting to join them as well, and Gaylen groaned inwardly. He hated children, especially the king’s irritating brood.

  “No. You’ll stay and eat,” Edward said firmly.

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake. Why don’t you just announce it to all of us, Gaylen?” the queen grumbled, looking more irritated than ever. “If it’s a matter of safety, we should all know what’s happening.”

  Gaylen would have loved to announce what was really going through his mind, but didn’t dare. They’d have his head.

  Before he could reply with something less suicidal, King Edward gently touched his wife’s shoulder. “The guards are here to protect you, Lizbeth. As Gaylen mentioned before, the news is probably not for young ears. Don’t worry, I’ll fill you in on everything later.”

  She reluctantly nodded.

  They left the dining hall, and as the guards led them through the castle, Edward’s thoughts were on Angelique; the sight of her had awakened something he thought he’d buried long ago. Feeling foolish, he reminded himself that the woman was evil and vowed to do everything in his power to keep his family safe.

  His kingdom safe.

  He wasn’t a naïve young man anymore who would succumb so easily to her wiles. Thank goodness Gaylen had set him straight all those years ago. Edward had actually thought about taking her as his queen, even though it would have caused an uproar in the kingdom. If the wizard hadn’t shown him solid proof that Angelique had sold her soul to the Devil, he would have made a tragic error—one that could have cost him everything. He recalled the night he’d slipped her a sleeping potion, upon Gaylen’s recommendation. Afterward, the wizard snuck into his chamber and they’d pulled back her eyelid, which revealed an odd blue birthmark.

  “It’s the mark of the beast,” Gaylen had assured him.

  At first he scoffed at the idea, but then the wizard brought him to Angelique’s home. In her shack, they’d located a dark spell book hidden under the floorboards.

  “It looks like she’s cast a love spell on you, Your Majesty,” Gaylen said, showing him a page in which someone had inked in the name Edward.

  After searching through the book, and seeing further notes relating to him, even Edward couldn’t deny that the evidence was damning.

  Heartbroken, Edward had Angelique arrested. In the end, he’d been too weak to have her executed, but made sure she was banished from Syracuse. Now she was back and a threat once again. It was a relief to have Gaylen on his side. Without him, the kingdom would have fallen long ago.

  “Okay, what is this troubling news you have?” Edward asked Gaylen when the guards left them alone in his cabinet.

  “It appears there is more to worry about than just Angelique, I fear,” he replied with a grave look on his face.

  Edward’s eyebrows dipped. “Go on.”

  The four of them listened as Gaylen spoke of Baldour and how he’d learned that Segomo had brought the dragon back from the dead.

  Marcus frowned. “Who told you this?”

  “Someone I trust. A friend who claims to have seen the dragon with his own eyes,” Gaylen replied with a grim expression.

  “I thought all dragons were extinct?” Alexander asked, looking at his father.

  “So did I,” Griffin said, frowning.

  The wizard nodded. “They still are. All except for Baldour.”

  “Why would Segomo do such a thing?” Marcus asked, crossing his arms over his chest with a dubious expression.

  “To get to me.” Gaylen looked at Edward. “As well as you, Your Majesty, and your entire family.”

  Edward’s chest tightened in fear. He’d heard all kinds of stories about Baldour terrorizing Syracuse before Gaylen actually killed him. It was one of the reasons his great, great grandfather had rescued the wizard from Segomo in the first place. To get rid of the beast.

  “Why would he come after us?” Alexander asked, looking shocked.

  “Because it was our family who helped Gaylen escape from the prison he’d put him in,” explained Edward.

  “Which is why I will always be in your debt,” the wizard said, bowing slightly.

  “May I ask why he’d imprisoned you in the first place?” Marcus asked him.

  Gaylen let out a weary sigh. “He accused me of some things that were false; when I failed to admit to the lies, he became furious and locked me away. The gods can be very temperamental.”

  “What did he accuse you of?” Alexander asked.

  “I truly think there are more important things to discuss at the moment, like Baldour,” Gaylen replied.

  “Yes,” agreed Edward. “Gaylen doesn’t have to explain himself to us. Now, what are your thoughts on the dragon?”

  “That he needs to be destroyed as quickly as possible,” said the wizard.

  “Will you be able to do it?” Griffin asked.

  “If I can find him, yes. I believe I can,” Gaylen replied and smiled. “I’ve aged, but I’m also wiser.”

  Edward nodded. “I have total faith in your abilities. Hopefully it can be done swiftly, before anyone gets hurt.”

  “I will do my best, Your Majesty,” he replied.

  “Are you sure this isn’t related to Angelique?” Marcus asked. “After all, Alexander claimed she turned into a black dragon. Maybe Baldour isn’t really alive? Maybe it’s just the sorceress he saw?”

  Gaylen nodded slowly. “Yes, I suppose there is always that. Regardless, you’ll need to secure the castle for a possible attack.”

  Edward threaded a hand through his hair. He needed to get his family to safety. If, by chance, something went wrong, the dragon, if there really was one, could destroy the castle and everyone in it.

  “What do you p
ropose we do, Father?” Griffin asked.

  “Exactly what he said, we’ll secure the castle and prepare for an attack. Gaylen, make haste and find out where this dragon is and if the threat is even real,” Edward said.

  He nodded and disappeared into thin air.

  “What would you like me to do?” Marcus asked.

  Edward told him about his plans to move his family away from the castle. “I’d like you to help with that.”

  He nodded. “Of course.”

  “Leave? I’m not going anywhere,” Griffin said stubbornly. “I’ll fight with you.”

  “Me, too,” Alexander said, raising his chin.

  “There isn’t going to be a fight. It’s us against a dragon,” Edward said, staring at his sons with pride. Both were definitely chips off the old block. “But, I applaud your courage. Both of you. You cannot stay, however. I won’t allow it.”

  Griffin started to protest.

  Edward put his hand on his shoulder, effectively silencing him. “Your safety is paramount. If something happens to me, the country will need you to step up as king. And you, Alexander,” he added, staring at his younger son, “you’re just as important to me as your brother. If anything happened to either of you, I’d never forgive myself.”

  “Nothing is going to happen to you,” Griffin said firmly. “I won’t allow it.”

  “We won’t allow it,” Alexander said.

  Edward smiled at the sheriff. “Do they remind you of someone, Marcus?”

  “Definitely. Like father, like sons,” Marcus replied.

  A loud rap on the door interrupted them.

  “Come in,” Edward said, releasing his hand from Griffin’s shoulder.

  One of the soldiers stepped inside, a concerned expression on his face.

  “What is it, Monty?” Edward asked.

  “A message, Your Majesty.” He handed him the folded parchment paper.

  “From whom?” Edward asked.

  “A boy delivered it to the castle. That is all I know,” Monty replied.

  Edward opened the seal and read.

  You are in mortal danger. Gaylen is plotting to kill you and your family for the throne. He lied about Baldour and I can prove it. Meet me in the woods, behind the castle, in ten minutes. If you care about the safety of your wife and children, do not trust the wizard.