Alice stepped through the canvas and into blackness. After she cast an illumination spell, she found herself in a long, empty corridor. She broke into a run until she reached a plain wall—another illusion, as it turned out. When she stepped through the wall and into a mausoleum, she realized exactly where she was. So this was how her mother and father had conducted their trysts? No doubt they had maintained a dwelling somewhere nearby where they would not be disturbed.
Somewhat deflated, she made her way back through the corridor and into her suite. As she sank into a chair, disappointment threatened to consume her. A secret exit from the castle grounds was useful, but it wouldn’t help her learn what had happened to her mother. The clues had not panned out the way she had hoped, and she wasn’t sure what to do next. Her father was too busy to see her, and she didn’t have anything concrete to show him anyway. Blade was very familiar with the castle grounds and knew about the security cameras. Should she swallow her pride and ask him for help? He might say no, but It couldn’t hurt to try.
After Aether showed her the route to Blade’s room, she left the suite with Kellan at her side. She descended one flight of stairs, made her way to the end of the wing, and knocked on his door. Seconds later, she heard the murmur of voices inside. One was Blade’s and the other belonged to a lady.
“Oh.” Alice’s face seemed to burst into flames, and she stumbled backward. As Kellan steadied her, she murmured, “This was a mistake. Let’s go.”
She’d taken no more than a few steps when she heard Blade’s door open. “Hey, wait!”
Alice didn’t bother to turn around.
Blade ran to catch up to her, barefooted, with his shirt open to the waist. “You’re too impatient. Why didn’t you wait?”
She paused. “I have to get to the Minfo.”
“Me too. Just let me get dressed and I’ll walk with you.”
“Don’t stop what you were doing because of me.” Her gaze flickered to the smear of dark berry on his mouth. “You should at least say good-bye to your girlfriend properly.”
“Girlfriend?” He gave her a puzzled glance. “I don’t know who you mean.”
“It’s no use, wizard.” Kellan smirked as he tapped his own chin. “That lipstick isn’t your shade.”
“What?” Blade drew the back of hand across his face, and it came away with a crimson smudge. “Er…I can explain—”
“I’m old enough to know the facts of life, Blade. Don’t insult my intelligence.”
As Alice made her way from the castle with Kellan, she took several deep breaths and tried to salve her wounded pride. How could she marry a man who professed admiration for her and yet entertained women in his room at the same time? A lifetime of unhappiness and misery spread out before her with no escape.
Kellan broke into her reverie. “Are you all right?”
“I think you’re the first person to ask me that since I arrived here.” She sighed. “Thank you, Ranger Stratford.”
∞∞∞
Alice did not know exactly how she got through the afternoon’s work—although Kellan’s presence helped. She discovered the Minfo had interviewed Villify in his parlor and she was to respond to his interview with observations of her own. On quite a few occasions she became choked up with emotion, but everyone assumed that was due to Villify’s touching anecdotes.
Blade was helping to edit something, evidently, because when Kellan escorted her past an edit bay, he burst into the hallway moments later.
“Alessandra, listen to me.” He grasped her elbow. “You’re wrong about what you saw.”
She made a sound of disgust. “It’s none of my business what you do in your room. I’m sorry I invaded your privacy.”
He pulled her further away from Kellan and lowered his voice. “You were right to think I had a girlfriend, but I’ve broken it off. You don’t have to worry about her anymore.”
“Good to know.” She disengaged her arm from his grip. “Have a wonderful evening.”
“You don’t believe me.”
“I believe you completely, Blade. I’m sure you have the breaking-up process down pat. At any rate, you don’t owe me anything.”
“Don’t I?” He frowned. “I thought you and I were making progress in our relationship.”
“We definitely are.” Alice’s smile was fixed. “I understand that I’ve been cast as the leading lady in a movie about a princess and you are the leading actor. Let’s not make it any more than that.”
She strode into the elevator and waited for Kellan to join her. Blade stared at the floor with a hurt expression as the doors slid shut and she rolled her eyes. Merciful heavens but he played his role to perfection! Then again, he had everything to gain by stringing her along and nothing to lose.
A sense of hopelessness swept over her and she couldn’t even seek her mother’s advice—or could she?
∞∞∞
When she and Kellan reached The Gallery Hall, she gave the Ranger a pleading glance.
“There’s no other way in or out of this exhibit except for this entrance. May I please have a moment alone?”
Kellan shook his head. “I’ll stay back as far as I can, but I must keep you in my line of sight.”
“Good enough.”
The attendant had gone for the night and only a few tourists lingered, fortunately, so Alice was able to view her mother’s hologram unobserved.
“Mother, it’s Alice.” She held up the stone. “I found the Key, for all the good it does. I don’t want to marry Blade and I’m afraid of Pompano. What should I do?”
“Run, Alessandra.” Helene seemed to blink back tears. “Disappear. Go somewhere they won’t ever find you.”
Alice swallowed hard. “What about you?”
“I was murdered and you’re in horrible danger. Save yourself.” The hologram burst into a shower of sparks and disappeared completely.
Kellan sprinted over and pulled Alice away from the exhibit. “Are you injured?”
She shook her head. “N-No.”
Alice stumbled from The Gallery Hall, dazed. She’d been clinging to the slim possibility that her mother was alive and would rescue her from this nightmare…but now all hope was gone. Her head swam, little black dots filled her vision, and her knees grew weak. In the next moment, she found herself swept off her feet and held in Kellan’s muscular arms like a child. Instead of protesting the indignity, she merely rested her cheek against his broad chest. As he carried her upstairs and down the hall toward her suite, she almost cried with gratitude at his kindness.
“Thank you for taking care of me,” she murmured.
His arms tightened around her. “I’m just doing my job, Princess.”
∞∞∞
Gus had already arrived for his shift as Kellan carried Alice toward her suite. “Is that the princess?” Gus gave her an alarmed glance. “Shall I summon a physician?”
Alice stirred. “No…please. I haven’t eaten much today.”
Kellan jerked his head toward the door. “Can you open that for me?”
“Sure thing.” Gus turned the knob and pushed the door wide. “Let me know if you need any help. I’m on duty until Paddy relieves me tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks.”
Kellan carried the limp woman into her room and deposited her gently on her bed. He poured a glass of water from the carafe at her bedside and helped her to sit up and drink it. Unfortunately, her color was still no better. He glanced around the room and spied a bowl of fruit on the table. After choosing a shiny red apple from the bowl, he carved off a fat slice with his pocketknife and brought it over to the princess. “Eat this.”
As she was eating the apple, he dragged over the chair, sat down, and sliced off another piece. When she took it without complaining, his shoulders began to relax.
“You can’t go without meals any longer, Princess.”
She gave him a wan smile. “My dinner should be here soon.”
“When it arrives, you need to eat e
very bite.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kellan sat back. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to give you orders.”
“I’m just teasing you.”
He cut another slice of apple and tossed it into his own mouth. “Mmm. This is a good apple. Tart and sweet.”
“A little like me.”
They shared a laugh. Moments later, a maid entered the suite with a rolling cart. When she spotted Kellan sitting at the princess’s bedside, her eyes widened. “Is everything all right?”
He stood. “The princess is faint from lack of food.” Kellan deposited the apple core on the cart before wiping his pocketknife on a napkin.
“Oh, dear.” The maid’s eyebrows drew together. “When I came by to pick up the luncheon plates, I noticed she hadn’t touched a thing.” She began setting the table. “Tonight’s dinner is sliced roast beef, with custard pie for dessert.”
Kellan helped Alice over to the table. “This is where I leave you. Ranger Gus Carter will be guarding tonight.”
She caught his hand. “Thank you, Ranger Stratford.” She smiled. “I felt very safe with you today.”
“Ranger Kellan Stratford?” The maid produced a handkerchief from her apron pocket and pressed it into his hand. “I believe this is yours. It’s freshly laundered.”
Kellan put it on the table. “Let the princess keep it.” He gave Alessandra a wink. “With my compliments.”
He bowed and let himself out of the suite. In the hallway, Gus folded his arms and gave him a sidelong glance. “First day on the job and you already have the lady in your arms.”
“It wasn’t like that.”
His voice must have been sharper than he intended because Gus raised his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, I didn’t mean anything.”
“Sorry.” Kellan passed his hand over his face and sighed. “I guess I’m not the only one who needs food.” He paused. “See you after your shift tomorrow.”
Gus saluted. “See you then.”
Kellan strode off down the hall, deep in thought.
Chapter Nine
Wizard Hunter, First Class
As Alice began to eat dinner, a welcome surge of energy flowed back into her body and she began to feel more hopeful. When Mary turned to retrieve the teapot from the cart, Alice slipped Kellan’s handkerchief into her pocket, next to her mother’s worry stone. Now, at least, she would have two objects to give her comfort.
Her maid poured the tea and deposited a sugar bowl on the table. “Is there anything else?”
The woman’s pink, slightly swollen eyelids drew Alice’s attention. “What’s wrong, Mary? You look as if you’ve been crying.”
The woman’s smile seemed forced. “Oh…it’s nothing, really. I had an argument with my boyfriend but I’m sure it’ll blow over soon.”
Alice’s gaze focused on Mary’s lipstick—a distinctive shade of dark berry. “I thought you didn’t know Blade Blackmon.”
Mary busied herself with the cart. “I don’t.”
“Yes, you do.” Alice put her fork down. “I’ll bet you’re not even a maid. You probably work for the Minfo as an actress.”
“How did you…?” The woman stared at her. “That’s just silly. You’ve had a hard day and your imagination is running away with you.”
“Is it? What’s your last name?”
“Pressley. Why?”
Alice raised her voice. “Aether, who is Mary Pressley?”
The wall-mounted device illuminated, and a series of images flashed onto the vidscreen.
“Mary Pressley is an actress best known for her roles in the movies, A Colossus Mistake, The Briarwood Murders, and In the Castle’s Shadow.”
Alice shook her head. “Also, Mary Pressley is currently working as a spy for Blade Blackmon.” She stared straight ahead. “Please leave and don’t come back.”
“As you wish.” The woman whirled around, strode toward the door, and wrenched it open. “You’ll never make him happy.”
“You’re right.” Alice spared her a pitying glance. “And neither will you.”
The door slammed shut and Alice dropped her face in her hands.
∞∞∞
As Paddy and Dewar ate meatloaf with Kellan in the Ranger canteen, they peppered him with questions about Princess Alessandra. Although he responded with as much information as he could, he remained silent about her mother or anything else he felt was too personal to mention.
“So, she’s nice as well as pretty?” Dewar’s sigh was long. “I just might throw my hat in the ring.”
“The ring?” Paddy gave him a sidelong glance. “What are you going on about?”
“The Promenade, of course. As a Ranger, I have the right to participate.” Dewar shrugged. “Of course, I’m sure they’ve already got someone picked out for her.”
“If she’s a princess, that means she’s a foreigner. No doubt she’ll get married to a duke or earl from her own kingdom.” Paddy nodded at Kellan. “Don’t you think so?”
“I didn’t ask her about any of that, but I suppose you could be right.” Kellan stabbed a bite of meatloaf and dipped it in gravy. “Whoever she marries will be a lucky man.”
As he chewed his food, he recalled how intoxicating it had been to hold Alice. The way she’d nestled into his arms had stirred him in ways he’d never felt before. Oh, well, he ought to put such enticing thoughts out of his head. Nothing could come of wishing for something impossible and he of all people ought to know better by now.
He stood up. “It’s been a long day. I think I’ll get some rack time.”
Dewar muttered, “Was it something I said?”
Although Kellan chuckled as he left the canteen, his mirth quickly faded. Based on the posters, storyboards, and footage he’d seen at the Minfo today, he suspected the princess would indeed be participating in the Promenade. He had also concluded that the man selected for her to marry was Blade. If so, the lady had his utmost pity.
As to Alice’s heritage, he had his suspicions about that, too. Years ago, his mother had told him about something she’d heard as a secretary in the Ministry of Magic. Apparently, rumors of a romance between young Prince Justin and a certain research wizard had caused tongues to wag. When the prince married Tara Doggett of the Shadow Realm, the rumors had come to nothing. On the heels of King Justin teasing a big announcement about Alice, Kellan concluded the monarch was about to claim her as his daughter. Colossus would talk of nothing else, the Promenade would be a huge success, and eventually a wedding between Blade Blackmon and the princess would be announced. The thought made Kellan nauseous.
He stripped off his uniform and stepped into the shower. The soapy hot water relaxed his muscles, but his mind continued to race. Maybe he ought to buy a boat and sail around the world. That way, he could avoid vidscreens and the Minfo news altogether.
After Kellan wrapped a towel around his midsection and crossed over toward the sink, Captain Woods appeared.
“Stratford, get your gear and report to the castle. You’ve got a rogue wizard to catch.”
Kellan could not stop a broad smile from spreading across his face. “Excellent!”
Woods shook his head. “Stop your grinning and get a move on.”
Kellan saluted as he rushed past. “Yes, sir!”
∞∞∞
Kellan arrived at the castle dressed for the hunt in street clothes. The leather duster he wore hid a harness of gear. As he approached the entrance, he was alarmed to see Gus pacing out front.
Alarmed, Kellan sprinted toward him. “What are you doing here?”
“The princess has gone missing.” Gus gritted his teeth. “They’re waiting for you in her suite.”
“Who is they?”
Gus ticked off his fingers as he went through a short list. “His Majesty, Head Wizard Pompano, Blade Blackmon, and Minister Seer.”
Kellan flashed his badge to a pair of castle guards as he entered the building and they reacted to his credentials with disdain.
The guards exchanged a glance before waving him past with obvious reluctance. Kellan and Gus loped through the deserted entrance hall and up the broad marble staircase. As they reached Alice’s floor, armed castle guards formed a phalanx in the hallway. Despite Gus’s remonstrations, they refused to let Kellan pass.
“I’m Ranger Stratford.” He showed his badge. “I’ve been summoned by His Majesty.”
After a few baleful glares, the guards parted, and they were waved through.
“I don’t understand what happened,” Gus managed as he and Kellan hastened down the hall. “The maid left in a huff about half past seven and then Blade Blackmon showed up around an hour later. The princess didn’t answer his knock and that’s when we discovered she was gone.”
“So, she didn’t slip past you?” Kellan frowned. “You think a wizard kidnapped her?”
“I don’t know what to think.” Gus shook his head. “All I know is that I didn’t see anyone come or go and I didn’t hear anything out of the ordinary.”
Kellan was obliged to show his badge to the castle guards at Alice’s door, but finally he and Gus were let in. King Justin was pacing in the center of the floor, clearly agitated. The Head Wizard was seated at the table, Blade was leaning against the wall, and Minister Seer was standing in the open door to the balcony. The latter was dressed in white satin robes with a black lace pattern stenciled across the upper half of his face.
“Ranger Stratford, Wizard Hunter, First Class at your service.” Kellan bowed. “I understand the princess has disappeared. Do you have any suspects?”
Pompano answered. “Yes. The Princess Alessandra herself.”
∞∞∞
Driving rain splattered against the window of Alice’s train compartment, making it difficult to see the short queue of passengers on the dimly lit platform outside. Her thumb rubbed against the smooth oval gemstone in her hand as her eyes darted back and forth, but she couldn’t see any uniformed guards or police officers. Hours had passed since she had made her escape and she was nearly at the western border of Colossus. Although Alice really didn’t have any idea what she would do once she reached the tiny country of Merrapenya, she had plenty of jewelry in her backpack to sell for cash. She drew a deep breath and relaxed her vigilance ever so slightly. The worry stone went back into her pocket for now and she closed her eyes. Perhaps she could catch a little sleep before dawn broke.
Royal Promenade Page 10