I wished I could have stopped the blush from rushing to my cheeks. Wished I could have pushed him off his mount, down the damn mountain. “First of all, I make my own decisions on marriage. Second, no. I am not interested.”
I wasn’t…was I? Although my gaze was desperate to wander to Bryn, I wouldn’t dare allow it. The prince would read too much into that glance. Hell, I’d claw out my own eyes before I’d look at the soldier.
The prince laughed. “You think you make your own decisions? You’ve been princess what, a week?”
I tilted my chin high. “I was born one.”
He bowed his head in mock salute. “Well played, and I almost believed your feigned confidence.”
I frowned.
“However, you’re new to this world. I don’t believe you understand the reality, Princess. The reality is your people make the decisions. Yes, you might be able to manipulate them for a while, but in the end, they truly rule. You can marry your choice about as much as I can, which is not at all.”
“Get him away from her,” Bryn snapped, startling me.
There was a sudden shuffling of horses as the prince was pushed away and I was jostled toward the left. Alone again, I had time to mull over his warning.
Prince Makaiden might have worn a perpetual smirk, but I knew he was completely serious. Would my aunt truly force me to marry some guy I didn’t know?
Maybe not. After all, our kingdoms were different. My hands tightened on my reins. But how much power did she hold? It was the general who truly ruled, and I had no doubt he’d do whatever it took to keep his kingdom strong.
“Make camp,” Brynjar called out.
My relief was immediate. I needed rest. Needed food. The prince was led toward a clearing off the path and away from me. He didn’t bother to look back. He’d done the damage he’d intended by making me nervous.
The scent of burning wood from the campfires seemed almost cheerful. Homey. However, storm clouds were threatening, and the increasingly darkening woods loomed along the edges of the clearing, hiding who knew what. What if the traitors who wanted me dead were among these men? What if Makaiden had led us here on purpose? What if this was an ambush?
I slid off my mount, handing over the reins to a soldier. Everyone was busy but me. Princesses weren’t allowed to do menial tasks, or so Bryn had said when we’d stopped for lunch hours ago and I’d tried to help. Sheesh, no wonder why they hated me.
With nothing to do, I made my way to the fire and settled on a fallen log, feeling useless and spoiled. On the day of my thirteenth birthday I’d gotten a job, and had worked since. I didn’t know how to not work. It was either work, or go without food, rent. I’d learned early on when Sarah had gone on a binge for two days, leaving me alone, without anything to eat. I couldn’t be the princess they wanted, but maybe I could create a new version.
Gingerly, I slid my hand into my pocket. The touch of the cool hilt of the dagger and soft pouch made me feel better for some reason. What was in that little bag? I started to pull the pouch from my pocket when a shadow fell over me.
A soldier stood there with a plate in hand. “My lady.”
I tore my hand from my pocket and took the offering. “Thank you.”
“It’s been tested.”
My body needed nourishment but my stomach felt tight with unease. I focused on eating the dried meat, bread and cheese. The guy was gone almost as soon as he’d arrived. There was no warmth in his gaze. No affection from any of these men. They were disappointed in me. Or maybe whoever wanted me dead was spreading rumors and hate. How many were a part of this uprising?
The prince started toward me, his own plate of food in hand. I hated that my breath caught, that my body stiffened with an anticipation that wasn’t altogether unpleasant. But before he could get close, from both directions, soldiers surged forward, stepping in front of me. One of the men threw his fist, catching the prince in the gut. Makaiden lost his plate, the contents clattering to the ground. He kept to his feet, but stumbled back a step, grunting.
On a gasp of outrage, I started forward. A firm hand caught my arm, jerking me back. “Don’t,” Bryn whispered in my ear. “You defend him, they will think you’re on his side.”
I clenched my jaw, waiting. The soldier who’d punched the prince said something indecipherable. I could barely hear over the roar of blood to my ears.
The prince straightened. His lips lifted into a mocking smile, but I could see the hardness in his gaze. My hands curled, my nails biting into my plate. The tension was thick, sticky. I had no doubt Makaiden would kill them if he could.
“Sit down,” one soldier ordered, shoving his hand against the prince’s chest, but the prince didn’t budge. “Now.”
The prince’s jaw clenched, that charming smirk gone as anger flared brightly in his green eyes. For the first time he was showing real emotion. He wasn’t used to being pushed around, and I had a feeling it was taking all of his strength to keep calm.
“I merely wanted to talk to the princess.”
Bryn walked around me, a pack of supplies in hand. Always at ease, always cool under pressure, he didn’t look bothered. “You are not to go near the princess.”
He moved on, knowing his orders would be obeyed.
“Very well. I’ll sit on the other side of the fire.” Boldly, Makaiden stepped around the soldiers and headed toward the other side of the campfire. I watched him, drawn to the way he moved with a natural, animal-like grace the others didn’t have. They might not trust him, but I couldn’t deny there was a force that emanated from the prince that demanded respect.
Handsome. Charming. Sexy accent. Damn it all. The guy drove me nuts, yet, at the same time, he was the only one who told me exactly what I wanted to know, no bells and whistles. Just the harsh truth. He was also the only other royalty who understood what I was going through. For those many reasons I didn’t get up and leave.
Most of the soldiers moved back to their positions. Some were brushing down the horses, others were making meals. Most were keeping guard on the outskirts although we were still on Acadian property. I didn’t miss the discreet nod Bryn gave to his second in command, nor the way three soldiers took up residence nearby, watching the prince. And from the stiffness of his shoulders Makaiden noticed as well. I picked up a piece of cheese and bit into the vile creation. It was strong, almost bitter.
I heard Makaiden’s low chuckle and dared to look at him. “What?”
He shook his head. “Picky, Princess? Is our food not up to your standards? Perhaps you prefer one of your eating places with the flashing ‘open’ light in the window back home?”
I gave him a tight smile. What I wouldn’t do for Mr. Romano’s spaghetti. “Course not. It’s delicious. And I am home.”
He laughed, a flash of white teeth that shone in the dark. Even he didn’t believe I belonged here. I told myself to ignore him, even as attraction and anger swirled together in a lethal combination. He was perfect and I hated him for it. Maybe because I felt so…not perfect.
“How’s your leg?”
Startled, I looked at him again. “What do you mean?”
He glanced pointedly at my left leg. “Your leg, it’s injured, correct?” He ripped off a chunk of bread he’d managed to salvage. “I assume from when I tackled you to the ground.”
How the heck had he known? “Are you going to apologize?”
He arched a brow. “For saving you? Not yet.”
I lifted my middle finger.
He clucked his tongue. “I have no idea what that means, but I assume it’s not something a princess should do.”
The fire burned brightly between us, highlighting his handsome features. It bothered me that he realized I’d hurt my leg when no one else had noticed. I didn’t want him watching me so closely. “How’d you know I was injured?”
He shrugged. “You grimaced when you got off your horse. You’re also slightly favoring your right leg.”
I picked up a piece of drie
d meat. “Don’t tell anyone.”
One of the soldiers started humming as he brushed down the mounts.
The prince drank from his flask, then swiped the back of his hand across his mouth. “Of course not. I wouldn’t dare break your trust. However, it’s silly to continue on in pain, when I’m sure your Brynjar has medicine that will heal it.”
“Medicine with fairy dust?”
He nodded. “What else?”
I frowned, taking a bite of dried meat. “Can it bring a person back to life?”
“Alas, no.”
We were silent for a few blessed moments. I looked at the fire. He watched me. What was his game? Pay attention to me? Flatter me? Gain my trust? Why? Once he showed us the fairy outcrop, he could leave.
“You’ll be king someday,” I said.
A soldier swept by, handing him a sleeping bag of some sort. The prince didn’t bother to say thank you. “Unless my uncle kills me first.”
I stiffened. “You don’t truly think…”
“It’s amazing what people will do for power.” He took a bite of bread, his gaze on the flames, his face thoughtful. At least that smirk was gone. “They say men are only interested in money, sex…that’s not true. It’s power. Always power. Only power.”
Uneasy, I took another bite of cheese before I remembered that I hated it. The tangy flavor coated my tongue, making me gag. I covered it with a cough, but he noticed. “That doesn’t say much for men, does it?”
He shrugged. “Maybe not.”
A shiver of unease whispered down my spine. I looked around the camp, at the many male faces, before landing on Bryn. Was I in danger here? Would Brynjar take my side? Or was he only interested in power as well?
“Don’t worry, Princess. Surely the honorable Brynjar will protect you.”
“You’re right,” I snapped. “He will.”
He would take my side, if I needed his help. He would do the honorable thing. “The man in the garden…he was trying to kill me?”
The prince nodded. “Probably a fanatic, thinking you weren’t worthy to lead.”
He said it so nonchalantly, as if it was no big deal. As if it was something to be expected. The prince might not know the details of my attackers, but at least he would give me his opinion, which was more than anyone else had given me. “Because I’m a woman?”
“Maybe, or maybe he just wanted the power for himself, or whomever he believes is worthy.”
“Maybe I’m not worthy.” I picked at my bread, tearing it into little pieces. “Because honestly, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
As the silence stretched and I felt his attention burning into me, my face heated with embarrassment. The only sound was the hum of conversation from nearby soldiers and the crackle of the flames.
Why had I said it? Why had I admitted my biggest fear to a man who mocked and belittled me any chance he got? I dared to glance at him. The light from the flames danced across his handsome face. He wasn’t laughing, not even smiling. He merely stared hard at me.
I set my plate down. “I should go. I’m—”
“You wouldn’t be a good leader if you thought you were worthy.”
I had to resist the urge to move closer to him, drawn to his comment. “What do you mean?”
“In my experience, any ruler who claims they are a gift from the gods, who claims they are going to save the kingdom…are usually the worst at it. You should be nervous. You should understand the heaviness of your responsibilities. If you don’t, you shouldn’t be a leader.”
His words made me feel better. Had he tried to on purpose, or was he just being honest and practical? Either way I appreciated it. Bryn had finished the tent where I would sleep, and watched us. I didn’t want them to take the prince away…not yet. Not when he was the only one who told me the truth.
I picked up a piece of dried meat and chewed just to make it look like I was still eating. The sun had set, the sky growing black velvet. Stars twinkled above, winking in and out of focus. Were they the same stars I saw on Earth Realm? I looked for something familiar, but found nothing. No Big Dipper. No Orion’s Belt.
“My father thought he was an amazing leader,” the prince continued. “We had our own fanatical uprising and he was killed.”
I swallowed hard. “I thought it was a hunting accident. That’s what Helen, my maid, told me.”
He laughed. “That’s what they pretend.” He set his plate down as if he’d suddenly lost his appetite too. “My uncle brags all the time about what a wonderful king he is. He claims he’s there to lead our people to our rightful place in society. And they believe him, even as he steals money from the poor, and hoards it for himself and his wealthy cohorts. What kind of people go against their own self-interest and support a man who takes away their power? If they would only open their eyes, if only…”
He cut off, his lips pressing into a firm line. It was obvious he hadn’t meant to share so much. He took a drink. Although he looked at me, I didn’t think he truly saw me. He seemed lost in his own thoughts. His own issues. His own world.
“It’s so damn easy to manipulate people into believing,” he continued. “They want so badly to feel saved, important, better than others. After my father died, my people were lost, destitute. When my uncle swept in and said we would rise up, that we, as a people, deserved more than any other kingdom, they drank up his words. He told them that the others had stolen our rightful place as high rulers, that they were out to destroy us, take what was ours, harm our women and children, and my people believed him. They wanted someone to blame. And it’s easier to blame others than yourself. He’s isolated us, destroyed our relationship with our allies.”
Earth Realm or here, it was all the same. People were people, with the same screwed up emotions, same sense of greed. I admit I’d been hoping things were different. “And so you’ll be a changed leader? Better than your father? Your uncle?”
He shrugged, looking out at the dark woods that surrounded us. “I hope. But maybe it’s in my blood. Maybe I don’t have a choice.”
“Bull,” I snapped, drawing his startled attention to me. “That’s bull and you know it. Everything we do is a choice. Our choice. You can decide to be a good, fair leader, or not. We can decide to make our kingdoms peaceful. To be allies, or not.”
“Can we?” That amusement was back in his eyes. Our bonding over. The cruel, snide prince had returned. “You think after hundreds of years of mistrust, war, hatred, we can find peace?”
I shrugged. “If we can’t what’s the point? Keep fighting, keep killing each other until we’re both destroyed? Doesn’t it make sense to try?”
He was quiet, thoughtful for a few moments. From the woods, an owl hooted. Around camp, soldiers laughed, talked, planned for the days ahead. They didn’t seem nervous. Why weren’t they nervous? Maybe because they were used to this place. Used to fighting. War. Possible death.
“So, you’re saying you trust me?” the prince finally asked. “You completely and utterly trust me enough to sign a new treaty?”
I hesitated. The flames flared between us, blindingly bright, but I held his gaze. Could I trust him? Fully, completely? What other choice did we have but to trust each other? It was either trust, or war, death.
He leaned closer. “That’s what it would take, Princess. It would take utter trust on both our parts.”
The light played across the sharp planes of his face, making him appear fierce. Intimidating. His eyes were green, so very green. In that moment, I swore they glowed.
“Maybe I don’t trust you right now,” I said. “I’m not an idiot. But maybe…maybe I could.”
He stood slowly, tall and proud. “That would be a mistake, because you shouldn’t. Ever.”
Without another word, he turned, and moved across the clearing, leaving me humiliated and annoyed.
Chapter Ten
Makaiden
I knew the questions, the unease, the accusations would arrive sometime soon. S
ure enough, Brynjar paused his mount and looked back, his gaze heavy with suspicion. I’d been tiptoeing toward the line of no return. Warning Shay last night not to trust me had been stupid. Why put her on guard? One more mistake and I wouldn’t be able to come back from the fall.
“This is the bridge you spoke of? The trail is impassable,” Brynjar snapped.
I smiled easily. “Did I not mention that we would have to go by foot part of the way?”
His jaw clenched as he dared to turn his mount on the narrow trail and head toward me. “No. You did not mention.”
The soldiers parted, allowing him to pass as he rushed at me like a bull, angry because someone had dared set foot in his pasture. That usually stoic gaze burned. So, he could be ruffled after all. Despite my predicament, my amusement piqued. It was good to know he wasn’t perfect, although the princess sure as hell looked at him like he was akin to a god.
“Do you play games with us, your highness?”
Shay looked over her shoulder, searching my face for the truth. My amusement faded. The wariness and disappointment in her eyes influenced me in a way I didn’t want to admit. I tore my attention from her, slamming down that wall. It was so easy to lie to Brynjar, but it wasn’t quite as simple lying to Shay, for some inexplicable reason.
It was her eyes. Those hard, brittle eyes that said she’d experienced too much in her short life. However, if you were smart enough to look deeper, you’d notice there was still a glimmer of hope in their deep depths. I didn’t want to be the one to extinguish that last bit of innocence. But I didn’t have a choice. It was either her, or my kingdom.
“Not at all.” I held my reins loose, my body at ease. “I merely wasn’t thinking clearly and forgot to mention that we’d have to go by foot. The threat of having your head cut off does muddle a person’s mind.”
Brynjar paused, our mounts face to face. “The threat of losing your head might also make a person desperate. A person might lie, do, or say whatever it takes to live.”
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