“And at the end of it come the engagement announcements.” His sigh was a happy one. “Many a romance novel is set during the Royal Promenade.”
Alice’s efforts to remain attentive were foiled by the horseless carriage visible through the window. The ebony paint gleamed under the morning sun and the delicate gold filigree on the door panels gave the vehicle a hint of whimsy. Perhaps more significantly, however, Blade had removed his jacket as he secured her trunks on the back and he looked casually handsome.
Quincy joined her at the window. “Do you like horseless carriages, Princess?”
“Oh…yes. Yours is almost a work of art.”
“It’s a Pomparriage, named for its inventor.” He beamed. “It runs on magic.”
“Magic?” Alice glanced at him. “Does it fly, too?”
Blade’s voice rang out from the doorway. “No, but I’ll suggest it to Pompano next time we’re together.” He rolled his shirtsleeves down and fastened the cuffs.
“Don’t do anything of the sort!” Quincy exclaimed. “He might just do it and then I will never be able to travel anywhere without becoming ill.”
The young wizard chuckled. “Speaking of traveling, we are ready to go.”
As Alice approached Blade, she once again felt an almost overwhelming tug of attraction. “Oh…would you get my hat, Blade? It’s on the table to your right.”
“Certainly.”
When his back was turned, she performed a surreptitious ward spell. None the wiser, Blade handed her the hat. “There you go.”
She gave him a sweet smile. “How kind of you. Where is Villify?”
Blade nodded toward the hall. “He mentioned something about the garden.”
In the backyard, she found her foster father next to the catnip patch, feeding milk to the ripening kittens from a dropper.
“We’re leaving now, Villify.”
He put down the dropper and stood. “Have a wonderful journey. It will be good for you to get in touch with your heritage, I think.”
“I hope so.”
They embraced. When she stepped back, Villify was blinking back tears. “I’ll miss you, my dear.”
“Will you be all right? I hate to think of you being lonely.”
“I managed fairly well while you were at school.” He chuckled and reached for a handkerchief to dab at his eyes. “Perhaps I’ll keep one of the kittens for myself once they bloom.”
Alice kissed him on the cheek. “That’s an excellent idea.”
When she emerged from the house a few minutes later, Blade was leaning against the carriage hood and the ambassador was standing nearby, hiding a wide yawn behind his gloved hand.
The young wizard straightened. “I’m driving, Princess. Would you prefer to sit up front with me or in back with the ambassador?”
“You two young people ride up front.” Quincy opened the rear door of the Pomparriage and climbed in. “I want to stretch out and take a nap. I couldn’t sleep a wink last night.”
Blade chuckled. “That’s settled, then.”
He opened the passenger side door for Alice. As she settled in, she admired the seat coverings, which were unlike anything she’d ever seen.
The young wizard glanced at her as he slid behind the wheel. “Is everything all right?”
“I’m just curious about this leather. It almost shimmers.”
“That’s dragon hide, imported from the Shadow Realm.” Blade cocked his head. “Have you never seen dragon hide before?”
Alice shook her head. “I don’t think so. We don’t have dragons in Vanguard.”
“Dragon hide is very rare, even in Colossus.” Quincy spoke from the back seat. “Bit of difficulty with harvesting and all that. Seems the dragons aren’t always willing to cooperate.”
She laughed. “I can imagine.”
As the Pomparriage rolled forward and picked up speed, Alice marveled at the smooth, gliding sensation. “This is like riding on a cloud.”
The air was suddenly punctuated by Quincy’s deep snores.
Blade smirked. “A thunder cloud.”
He raised the window between the front and the back of the Pomparriage. “May I ask what changed your mind about leaving Squirrel Flats?”
“Villify encouraged me to go. He seems to think I would benefit by knowing something about my roots.”
When Blade smiled, a deep dimple appeared in his cheek. “I was hoping it was my power of persuasion.”
“Villify would probably say I rarely listen to anyone about anything. It’s a quality that frequently gets me labeled a troublemaker.”
“I can scarcely imagine that’s true.” Blade paused. “If the king hadn’t sent for you, what were your plans for the future?”
“They remain the same, either way.” Alice shrugged. “After I leave Colossus, I’ll probably get an apartment in Vanguard City and look for work.”
“Doing what?”
“I haven’t decided yet. I wanted to talk it over with Mother and get her advice.”
“What about marriage?”
“I have nothing against marriage, but it’s the furthest thing from my mind at the moment.”
Blade took one hand off the wheel long enough to conjure a long-stemmed white rose. He presented it to Alice with a flourish. “For you.”
She breathed in the lovely fragrance. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
He held her gaze a moment. “I find it strange that Helene Masters’ daughter doesn’t have much in the way of magical ability.”
Alice gave him a puzzled frown. “How do you know that?”
“Oh…since I haven’t seen you use any magic, I just assumed as much.” He glanced at her. “Am I wrong?”
Part of her wished to tell him differently so he wouldn’t think her doltish but something deep inside urged caution. She would remain silent until her mother gave her permission to speak. Never show your strength before it’s time to strike, she used to say.
“Er…no. I take after my father, I suppose.” She cast about for a change of subject. “Are we driving straight to the castle?”
“We’ll spend the night in Tialda, at the tip of Colossus Peninsula. From there, we’ll take a ferry across the Bay to Port Pearl.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Why don’t we cut through the Shadow Realm? Wouldn’t that be faster?”
“The Shadow Realm and Colossus are at odds at the moment and unrestricted travel across the region has been denied. It’s terribly inconvenient.”
“I thought Colossus and the Shadow Realm were allies.”
Blade waved his hand, dismissively. “Oh, it’s all rather complicated. Nothing for you to worry about.”
She folded her arms. “Even a woman like me can understand if you explain things in the simplest possible terms.”
“I don’t mean to insult you.” Blade sounded contrite. “The Shadow Realm and Colossus have had ongoing trade issues but the whole situation is classified.”
“Oh.” Her arms relaxed. “Forgive me. I shouldn’t have been so quick to take offense.”
“No need to apologize.”
Alice gazed at the passing landscape and stifled a yawn. Like Quincy, she hadn’t slept much last night. She closed her eyes for a short while to rest them…and nodded off. When she awoke, the sun was nearly overhead.
She gave Blade a guilty smile. “Forgive me for taking a nap. I hope I didn’t snore.”
The wizard grinned. “If you did, I’ll never confess.”
“I’m exceedingly grateful.” She leaned forward, captivated by the scenery. “We must be in Colossus.”
“We passed the border about twenty minutes ago.”
Whereas Vanguard was picturesque, pastoral, and unassuming, Colossus was quite modern. Electric and steam-powered vehicles traversed paved roads, which were bracketed by gaslights at frequent intervals. A woman was walking her dog in a park and Alice couldn’t stop staring at her clothes. “That woman’s hemline is above her knees!”
Alice glanced over, expecting to see Blade’s shocked reaction but he merely shrugged.
“You’ll find the fashions here to be vastly different than you’re used to.”
“Oh, no. I’m dressed like a quaint, backwater girl from Vanguard. Everyone at Briarwood Castle will be sure to laugh at me.”
“The Hotel Tialda has an extensive arcade where you can buy some new things.”
She bit her lip. “Do you suppose the hotel will change my Vanguard coins into Colossusian currency?”
“Yes, but that’s not necessary. His Majesty has afforded you a generous allowance.”
“I see.” Alice had no intention of using the king’s money, of course, but didn’t wish to seem disagreeable. Hopefully, she had enough funds to at least purchase one new dress and a pair of sandals.
The Pomparriage hugged the coastline on its way south, affording Alice her first view of Pearl Bay. Ambassador Quincy finally woke up and tapped on the partition. “I’m hungry, lad! Have pity on an old man and find somewhere to eat lunch.”
Blade lowered the glass. “I know just the place.”
They stopped at a beachfront restaurant, where a waiter brought them platters of crispy, golden shrimp. Alice had never eaten shrimp before and ate until she couldn’t hold another bite. Blade and Quincy conversed about sports and the like, but she paid them little attention. Instead, she watched the surf and the other people in the restaurant.
A young boy walked past the table, holding his mother’s hand. When he caught sight of Alice, his mouth fell open and he tugged his mother’s sleeve.
“Look, Mum, that lady is wearing a funny costume!”
The woman gave her son’s arm a yank. “Shh, she’ll hear you.”
A painful blush spread across Alice’s face until she felt it in the roots of her hair.
“Are you all right?” Blade murmured.
“Yes, of course.” She reached for her glass of water. “It’s no more than I expected.”
“Be assured, Princess, talented dressmakers are awaiting your arrival at the castle.” Quincy whispered. “Don’t fret about your apparel.”
“You’re very kind, Ambassador.”
∞∞∞
The resort hotel at Tialda sprawled along a cliff with splendid flare. Rounded corners, picturesque railings, and pointed towers gave the building the appearance of a wooden castle. The long driveway was bracketed on either side by majestic oaks and vast, rolling lawns of sparkling green.
As the Pomparriage approached the lobby portico, Alice gave Blade and Quincy a level glance. “Please don’t address me as Princess at the hotel. I don’t want anyone to think I’m a member of the royal family.”
“Actually, I was going to suggest the same thing.” The ambassador nodded. “His Majesty will decide when and where to introduce you to the public as his daughter.”
She frowned. That would be never, if I have a say in the matter.
Bellmen hastened to fetch their luggage while the ambassador and Blade escorted Alice inside. While Quincy conferred with the desk clerk, Alice drank in the ambiance of the hotel. The thick carpets underneath her feet absorbed extraneous sounds, resulting in a hushed atmosphere. Everywhere she looked, surfaces were immaculately clean and polished. A beautifully attired couple strolled through the lobby and disappeared down a long corridor marked ARCADE.
Blade followed her glance. “Yes, that’s what I was telling you about. There are a great many shops and restaurants that way.”
“I confess, the Hotel Tialda is absolutely magnificent. The best hotel in Vanguard City is very nice but it cannot compare in terms of luxury.”
“The building used to be the summer palace for the royal family. The late queen didn’t much care for it, so His Majesty gave it up years ago.”
“Queen Tara must have been very difficult to please.”
Blade shrugged. “The rumor was that she was bitten by a spider here and never came back.”
Alice gave him a sidelong glance. “You’re joking.”
“It could be an urban legend, but the queen was known to have arachnophobia.”
Quincy bustled over. “I’ve sent word to Briarwood Castle that we have arrived in Tialda. They are expecting us tomorrow afternoon.”
“So soon?” Alice peered at him. “I would have thought just crossing Pearl Bay would take longer than that.”
Blade smiled. “Once we arrive at Port Pearl, I know a shortcut to the capitol.”
As the beaming hotel manager, Mr. Phelps, personally escorted Alice, Quincy, and Blade to the steam-powered lift, he detailed everything the resort had to offer. Although the manager addressed her as Miss Holland, his obsequious manner made Alice suspect that Quincy had told him everything.
She was delighted to discover her suite had an unobstructed view from every room, including the lavatory. The glassy water of Pearl Bay gleamed in the early afternoon sunshine, reflecting the deep blue of the near-cloudless sky. Alice breathed in the clean air on the balcony, and it smelled like happiness. If I stared at this view the rest of my life, I would never tire of its beauty.
Mr. Phelps deposited her key on the table before bowing out of the suite, leaving Alice alone with Blade and Quincy.
“We’ll let you settle in, shall we?” The ambassador edged toward the door. “Mr. Blackmon and I will call on you at six o’clock for dinner.”
Blade cocked his thumb to one side. “I’m in the next room if you need anything. Anything at all.” He gave her a lazy wink before disappearing into the corridor with Quincy.
Once the door had closed, she turned a pirouette in glee and then hastened over to the bottle of sparkling wine on the bar. Although she couldn’t locate a bottle opener anywhere, she used a simple spell to pop the cork. After she filled a delicate glass flute with bubbling, light amber liquid, she held up her glass for a toast.
“Here’s to King Justin and his generosity.”
She took a gulp of wine, kicked off her shoes, and padded into the bedroom. The four-poster featherbed was made up with crisp white linens, her trunks were stacked at the foot of the bed, and her travel case rested on a vanity. The adjacent bathroom featured a marble floor, a claw foot bathtub, and a separate shower. On a glass shelf, every imaginable toiletry had been provided for her use, laid out in a dazzling array.
Her pleasure in the luxurious surroundings was diminished when she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. In Vanguard, she would have regarded her travel suit as fashionable and flattering. In Colossus, however, she did look as if she were wearing some sort of dated costume from a bygone era.
She dipped into a low curtsy as if meeting her father for the first time. “Hello, Your Majesty. My name is Alessandra Frump and I’ve come to embarrass you at court.”
She returned to the bedroom, where a comscreen was set into the wall. Although she’d never used one before, she studied the device for a little while before pressing a button.
An operator instantly came onto the screen. “How may I direct your call, Miss Holland?”
So much for anonymity.
Alice cleared her throat. “I wish to speak with the Head Wizard at the Ministry of Magic in Briarwood City.”
“I’ll put you through right away.”
The operator disappeared and the image of Briarwood Castle took her place. As Alice waited for her mother to take the call, a thrill of anticipation ran down her spine. She’d exchanged letters with Helene, of course, but they hadn’t seen each other in two years.
The comscreen was suddenly filled with the face of a stranger. “This is Mr. Aliquot of the Head Wizard’s office.”
She gulped. “I’d like to speak with the Head Wizard. I’m Alice Holland.”
“The Head Wizard is unavailable right now. Would you like to leave a message?”
Alice’s shoulders fell. “Just say that I’m spending the night at the Hotel Tialda, but I’ll arrive at the castle tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’ll relay the message, Miss
Holland!” He beamed. “Good-bye.”
The comscreen went dark. Alice frowned and went to refill her glass. When she answered a knock on the door, she discovered Blade waiting in the hallway outside.
“The hotel gave me some wine, but I can’t find a corkscrew. Could I borrow yours?”
“I’m sorry but I don’t have one either.”
His gaze fell to her glass. “How did you manage to open your bottle without one?”
“Oh…er… the staff opened it for me.”
“In that case, may I join you?” He brushed past without waiting for an answer.
She shut the door. “You’re rather forward, did you know?”
“Yes.” Blade poured effervescent liquid into a flute and took a sip. “Delicious. Would you like a refill?” He levitated the open bottle and sent it floating in her direction.
“Show-off.” She plucked the bottle from the air, filled her flute, and put the bottle back in the bucket. “Your self-confidence is like a force of nature.”
“I don’t believe in timidity.” He beckoned her toward the balcony. “Let’s admire the view.”
The young wizard was like a charming puppy in many ways and yet he seemed to have trouble with boundaries. No doubt he’d been raised with the trappings of privilege and took everything for granted. Furthermore, his good looks probably meant he could have any girl who caught his eye. She might be from a backwater country but that didn’t mean she intended to fall at his feet—not by a long shot. She strengthened the ward spell and joined him outside.
Blade leaned against the fanciful railing in a manner calculated to show his frame to its best advantage. “Do you like your suite?”
“Oh, yes. This resort is the most wonderful place I’ve ever seen.”
“You said something about returning to Vanguard and looking for work.” Blade gestured with his glass. “Why would you leave Colossus when you could live like this all the time? Your father can give you anything you want.”
“Nobody has offered me anything, Blade, so your assumptions are premature.” She shrugged. “Even so, I don’t want anything given to me. I like to earn my own way.”
He peered at her. “What a strange notion. I would rather have been born into wealth and power than to fight for everything.”
Royal Promenade Page 2