Kellan gave him a level glance. “What are you doing here, Blackmon? Reduced to working as a chauffeur?”
“Your sense of humor always was…quirky, Stratford.” Blade flicked his fingers in a dismissive fashion. “You can go now. I’ll take the prisoner from here.”
Alice gasped. “The prisoner, Blade? Is that all I am to you?”
The wizard spread his arms in a shrug. “It’s just a figure of speech…although nobody at the castle is very happy with you right now.”
“The princess doesn’t need a lecture from you.” Kellan’s eyes narrowed. “Furthermore, I’m on the job until I deliver her personally.”
“Have it your way.” Blade made a sweeping gesture of invitation toward the vehicle. “Get in.”
Alice stared at the ground in mutinous misery as her shoulders moving upward as if writhing in pain. Something twisted in Kellan’s chest. He’d had many fugitive wizards try to beg or bribe him for release when he placed them under arrest. For the first time in his career, Kellan wondered if he’d made a mistake in not letting a prisoner escape.
“Don’t worry, Princess.” Kellan gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll stay with you as long as I can.”
“Is that your usual protocol with fugitives, Ranger?” Blade’s piercing gaze shifted between the two of them. “What a stellar bedside manner.”
∞∞∞
As the long horseless carriage pulled away from the depot, Alice was relieved when Kellan unlocked the handcuffs and stashed them in a pocket on his shoulder harness. She rubbed the spot where the metal had creased her skin.
Kellan frowned. “Are you all right, Your Highness?”
She held out her other wrist. “I’ll be much better once you remove this disrupter.”
“I’ll take it off when His Majesty gives the word and not before.”
“Ranger Stratford is a stickler for rules and regulations, Alessandra.” Blade sat in the facing seat with his arms crossed. “That’s the reason I recommended him for the contract.”
“You recommended me?” Kellan’s eyebrows rose. “I find that hard to believe.”
“Considering the fugitive was a beautiful young lady, I felt we needed a tracker capable of working without sentiment. Since you have none, I felt you would be perfect.”
Alice bristled at Blade’s assertions. Kellan had tracked her down and taken her into custody, admittedly, but she had the inexplicable feeling he was on her side.
“I don’t know why you have to be so rude, Blade. You make Ranger Stratford out to be heartless when nothing could be further from the truth.”
Kellan’s expression remained unchanged. “Thank you, Princess, but I would advise you not to respond to Blade’s insults. It flatters his conceit.”
“I’ll have to remember that.” Alice focused on Blade. “How did you get here so quickly?”
“The Node Network, of course.”
“I was unaware it stretched all the way to the western border of Colossus.”
“The Network is incredibly vast and has the potential to change the kingdom.” His eyes glittered in the low light emanating from a fixture set in the ceiling. “Once it opens to the public, you’re going to see a massive rise in trade.”
“You can’t really believe the Network will ever be available to the public.” Kellan’s tone was cool. “It will be reserved for a select few, as it is now.”
Blade smirked. “Your populism is showing, Ranger. Must be due to your humble background.”
Kellan shot back, “You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?”
“This bickering is absurd.” Alice made a sound of exasperation. “Will someone please explain how you two are acquainted with one other?”
Blade and Kellan stared off in different directions.
“He’s my brother,” Kellan muttered finally.
Her jaw dropped open. “What?”
“Half-brother.” Blade scowled. “You see, Alessandra, Kellan’s mother was a cat.”
Kellan’s knuckles showed white. “She was not! Your father’s a scoundrel and you’re no better!”
Blade’s jaw jutted out. “He’s your father, too. You took great delight in arresting your own flesh and blood.”
Kellan leaned forward. “Zachary Blackmon was never a father to me and yes, I took great satisfaction in arresting the wizard responsible for my mother’s death.”
“No doubt you spent your bounty celebrating your revenge in seedy taverns.”
“As a matter of fact, I gave most of it to an orphanage as a memorial to my mother.”
The atmosphere was thick with tension as the two men scowled at one another.
Alice let out the breath she’d been holding. “I’m sorry I asked.”
The stretch Pomparriage left the road and sped toward an archway illuminated by gold lights. After the vehicle passed through the shimmering Node and emerged at the Briarwood City gate, Kellan produced his handcuffs again.
“Really?” She sighed as the metal cuff closed around her wrist. “I can’t use magic to escape and since you can outrun me, restraints are hardly necessary.”
Kellan’s voice was gruff. “It’s regulation.”
“Do you see what I mean, Princess?” Blade’s smile was tight. “Stratford has no emotions to appeal to other than anger.”
Alice’s temper flared. “I’m not sure you would know an emotion if it slapped you across the face, Blade. Your ambition blinds you to everything else.”
His spine straightened. “I don’t know why you’re angry at me.”
She felt like kicking him in the shins. “Among other things, you sent your girlfriend to act as my maid, that’s why. I told you I don’t like being spied on.”
He frowned. “The Minfo assigned her to the job, Alessandra. Yes, I suggested Mary to fill the role, but it wasn’t because I wanted to spy on you. It was because she works as a maid when she isn’t working as an actress.”
She sighed. Blade seemed to always have an explanation for everything, and it made her head hurt.
∞∞∞
When Kellan helped Alice step out of the Pomparriage, it was nearly one o’clock in the morning. The rain had stayed to the west, apparently, and the city was perfectly dry. As the three of them made their way into the castle, several guards and a man in a suit were waiting.
“Welcome back, Princess.” The man nodded at Kellan. “Ranger Stratford, I’m His Majesty’s Private Secretary, Mr. Wattle. After you escort the princess to her suite, I’ll show you to your accommodations.”
Kellan frowned. “I wasn’t planning to spend the night, sir.”
“Your presence is required at a breakfast meeting tomorrow at eight, so it doesn’t make sense for you to return to your barracks. I’ve already sent for your things, so you’ll have everything you need.”
Blade stifled a yawn. “Does that breakfast meeting include me?”
Mr. Wattle nodded. “Of course, Mr. Blackmon. It’s all hands on deck.”
“I’d best get to bed.” Blade stifled another yawn.
Blade and Mr. Wattle fell in behind Kellan and Alice as they crossed the entrance hall and began mounting the stairs.
Kellan gave the princess a sidelong glance. “Thank you for cooperating fully with me when I took you into custody. Your father will be pleased at my report.”
Her eyebrows drew together for a brief moment before comprehension dawned. “Oh…well, I saw no reason to struggle.” She paused. “Although I wish I hadn’t been caught, I want you to know I appreciate your professionalism.”
“Oh, how dull.” Blade’s voice intruded on the moment. “A little less civility between you two would be vastly more entertaining.”
Alice glanced at him over her shoulder. “A lack of civility between you and me will have to suffice.”
When Blade reached his own floor, he strode off down the hall without another word. After Kellan, Alice, and Mr. Wattle ascended to the next level, they made their way to the princess’s
rooms. Gus was still on duty outside the door and his expression of relief at the sight of her was palpable. He gave Kellan a brief nod and stood to one side so they could enter the suite.
Mr. Wattle cleared his throat. “I’ll be waiting for you right here, Ranger Stratford.”
Kellan paused. “I’ll only be a moment.”
He escorted Alice inside the room, which appeared to be unoccupied. After he shut the door, he put down the duster and backpack so he could unlock the handcuffs.
“I want to take a look around before I go.”
She nodded, wordlessly.
Kellan searched the suite for intruders and even swept the rooms with his tracking device to see if any spells had been cast in his absence. He didn’t detect any anomalies, but he did notice a lock had been placed on the balcony door and all the paintings had been removed from the study. Apparently, King Justin and Pompano hadn’t wanted to take the chance of another escape.
When Kellan returned to the bedroom, Alice had crawled onto her bed and fallen asleep. As gently as possible, he removed her shoes and covered her with the throw blanket at the food of the bed. She looked so young and innocent when she was sleeping, especially contrasted with the needle-clawed kitten who’d nearly bested him with her fighting skills. With a rueful smile, he rubbed the back of his neck, scooped up his duster, and made his way from the room.
In the hallway, Gus and Mr. Wattle gave him a questioning glance.
“The princess is sleeping.” Kellan shrugged. “It’s been a hard night.”
“Yes, indeed.” Mr. Wattle rubbed his hands together. “I’ll take you to your room.”
“Carry on.” Kellan saluted to Gus. “We’ll talk later.”
As Kellan followed the secretary down the hall, his thoughts were haunted by Alice’s lovely features. The man who married her should be able to give her the sun, the moon, and the stars and never let a frown linger on her lips for long. Blade didn’t deserve a girl like Alessandra Holland.
∞∞∞
Someone shook Alice awake. “Princess Alessandra, good morning!” The maid standing next to her bed was one she hadn’t met before.
“Oh…hello.” Alice sat up. “What is your name?”
“Janelle.” The older woman bobbed up and down in a curtsy. “You’re to have breakfast downstairs but I brought a little something in case you’re hungry now.”
Alice gave the maid a piercing glance. “Have you ever worked for the Minfo as an actress or in any other capacity?”
“Oh, heavens, no, Princess. I’ve been a maid at Briarwood Castle since I was a young girl.” She laughed as she bustled off.
Alice suspected the maid’s smile was sure to be the last one she received that morning. She crossed over to the vidscreen. “Aether, what is my schedule today?”
The rectangle illuminated to show the breakfast meeting, with the remainder of the day designated as ‘To Be Determined.’ A flutter of nerves made her stomach contract, but she reminded herself that she would at least be seeing Kellan again. As her thoughts drifted back to the kiss they’d shared in the dark train compartment, a wave of warmth swept over her from her head to her toes. Yes, her request for a kiss had been unorthodox and probably unseemly, but she was glad she’d made it. If she were forced to marry Blade, that kiss would be the only one she would ever enjoy for the rest of her life.
In the marble-tiled bathroom, the disrupter on her wrist glinted in the light from the chandelier and matching sconces. Could she get it off somehow? Alice rummaged through a drawer until she found a nail file, but the instrument made not so much as a scratch on the metal. A solution of soapy water allowed her to slide the bracelet a fraction of an inch but no further. Finally, she gave up, hoping her father would authorize Kellan to remove it.
After Alice had eaten a few dainty crepes with fruit puree, she donned the dark blue dress Janelle had laid out on the bed. Although the garment was attractive, it was rather plain.
“I have a pearl necklace in my backpack that would go well with this.”
Jenelle grimaced. “I’m sorry, Princess, but I was instructed to remove every piece of valuable jewelry from the suite.”
Alice gasped, “Are you serious?”
The maid nodded. “As soon as it’s inventoried, I’m to give you a list. You’ll be able to request what you would like to wear to official functions but then the items are to go back into inventory afterward.”
“What a bother.” Apparently, her father was determined to deprive her of anything of value she might use to run away again. “All right, perhaps there is a scarf I could wear?”
“Yes, Princess.” The woman darted off toward the closet.
Alice stole another glance at herself and sighed at the shadows underneath her eyes. A few moments later, Jenelle brought her a snowy white scarf with a festive pattern of blue polka dots. Just as Alice was arranging the long swath of silk around her shoulders, a knock at the sitting room door made her flinch.
“I guess that’s my cue.”
∞∞∞
Although Kellan only managed a few hours’ sleep, he had little problem rising when the vidscreen on the wall sounded a wake-up call. After he looked in the closet, he had to give credit to the staff for being thorough. Not only had the contents of his Ranger battalion locker been brought to his room, but also the clean things he’d neglected to pick up from the laundry. He donned a fresh uniform for his audience with the king and left his room in plenty of time to escort Alessandra to the meeting. As he turned down the corridor to her suite, however, Blade was already striding along a few yards ahead of him. Annoyed, Kellan increased his pace until he was abreast.
Blade scowled. “What are you doing here? You’re not needed or wanted.”
“I beg to differ.” Kellan stared straight ahead. “Since I’m obliged to deliver the princess to His Majesty, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Paddy had relieved Gus and was standing guard outside Alice’s door when they arrived. He leveled a cool gaze at Blade as his hand rested on the haft of his sword. “All right there, Kell?”
“A bit early for me, all things considered.” Kellan knocked on the door. “Have you anything to report?”
Paddy shook his head. “No, but I’ve only been here since seven. The only person who went inside was a maid and she looked harmless.” He scowled at Blade. “Unlike some people.”
The wizard laughed and shook his head. “You Rangers stick together, don’t you?”
Kellan lifted an eyebrow. “So do wizards.”
When Alice opened the door, her expression registered surprise. “Oh, hello. Are you here to escort me to the gallows?” She stepped out of the room.
Kellan gave her a warm smile. “I should hope not, Princess, but I am here to escort you to the meeting.”
Blade elbowed Kellan out of the way. “I was here first.”
“It’s not a contest.” She squared her shoulders. “Let’s go.”
As she moved down the corridor, Kellan and Blade flanked her on either side and Paddy brought up the rear.
Kellan made an attempt at pleasantries. “I hope you got a little rest?”
His question was aimed at the princess, but Blade responded. “Actually, I didn’t sleep well at all. I’m sure I’ve looked better.”
Over the top of the princess’s head, Kellan smiled. “Don’t worry about it. When you get to the Minfo, their best makeup artist will help. You might need two makeup artists, to be fair.”
Blade’s lip curled. “There’s not enough makeup in the world to improve your looks, Stratford.”
Kellan smirked. “Quite right, wizard. No improvement is necessary.”
Paddy audibly snickered and Alice stopped so abruptly that the Ranger almost bumped into her.
She glared first at Kellan and then Blade. “I’m aware of the bad blood between you two but I’m in a fix here. Please be civil, at least until I find out what is going to happen to me.”
Kellan acknowledged
the criticism with an apologetic nod. “I’m sorry, Princess.”
Blade’s lips tightened. “Fine.”
The group continued on in silence. When they reached the ground level, Blade showed them to a private dining room off of the public cafeteria. Alice paused just outside the door and took several deep breaths.
Kellan offered her his elbow. “Princess, you have my support.”
She slid her hand around his arm. “Thank you.”
“You have my support, too.” Blade scowled. “And my friendship.”
For Alice’s sake, Kellan bit back a sharp retort.
As Paddy took up a post next to the door, the princess lifted her chin. “Let’s go in. It’s time to meet my fate.”
∞∞∞
When Alice entered the room, her father hastened toward her and pulled her into an embrace. “Thank heavens you are safe, child.” As he stepped back, the dark shadows under his eyes become noticeable. “I don’t know what I would have done if anything had happened to you.”
A wave of guilt swept over her. “I’m sorry. I never meant to cause you more worry.”
“I should not have neglected you.” The king shook Kellan’s hand. “You have my sincere gratitude for bringing Alessandra back so quickly. Your stellar reputation as a Wizard Hunter is deserved.”
“I was just performing my duties, Your Majesty.” Kellan bowed.
Blade cleared his throat. “As was I.”
“Your modesty does you both credit.” Alice’s father gestured toward the buffet. “Help yourself to breakfast. We were just discussing the best course of action going forward.”
The king returned to his seat at the table along with Pompano, Seer, and a secretary. Alice was somewhat surprised that so few people were at the meeting. Perhaps her dash for freedom had been too much of an embarrassment for her father to share with the entire Privy Council or maybe the ministers had been unavailable at such short notice.
Blade touched Alice’s arm. “Would you like me to prepare a plate for you, Princess?”
She nodded. “That’s very kind.”
Kellan’s spine straightened. “Let me show you to your seat, Princess.”
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