Royal Promenade

by Suzanne G. Rogers

  Alice gave him an apologetic glance and nudged the platter of sandwiches toward him. “Have something else to eat…and then you should probably begin with the books in the bookcase.”

  He sighed and rolled up his sleeves. “Anything for you, Princess.”

  Alice and Blade worked their way through the individual books on her mother’s shelves, but their progress was glacial. When Blade’s restore and reveal spells had no effect on the books in the first bookcase, they moved on to the second.

  When she handed Blade a travelogue of Colossus, his restore spell transformed the volume into an album of photographs.

  He brightened. “I confess, I didn’t think we were going to find anything until now.”

  “I was beginning to get discouraged, too.”

  Alice brought the album over to the desk while Blade looked over her shoulder. On the first page were photos of Helene Masters and Prince Justin when they were very little older than she was now.

  “Oh, my.” As Alice gaze at her parents, she felt a surge of pleasure. “What a beautiful couple.”

  Blade smiled. “You really do look like both of them.”

  She continued to turn the pages, enjoying pictures of her parents’ courtship and marriage, until the album displayed a photograph of a naked infant sprawled tummy-down on a blanket.

  Alice groaned. “I can’t believe my mother would have taken such an embarrassing photo!”

  “It’s tradition, I think.” Blade peered at the image. “You had a nice backside, even then.”

  She gave the wizard a playful shove. “Hush!”

  He plucked the photo from the album. “I shall take this to Minister Seer straightaway, to include in one of his broadcasts.”

  “You wouldn’t dare!”

  Blade waggled his eyebrows. “Wouldn’t I?” He skipped around the study with the photograph to tease her. “Just try and stop me.”

  “You lout!” She chased after him as he danced out of reach. “Give it to me right now!”

  ∞∞∞

  On the top floor of the Ministry of Magic, Kellan gave the window illusion a hard stare. Although he disliked using wizardry with a passion, he felt he had no choice.

  Kellan muttered the password, “Alice.”

  He stepped through the illusion and into Helene’s office, which was eerily quiet. The absence of the former Head Wizard gave him a sudden pang and he bowed his head for a few moments.

  “I will get to the bottom of your disappearance, Helene. I swear it.” He paused. “Why didn’t you ever tell me you had a daughter?”

  Kellan crossed into the laboratory and made his way toward the large workbench in the back. He and Helene had spent hours refining his tracking device and disrupter at that workbench and the prototypes were stored there.

  His heart sank when he discovered the shelves were filled with an ordinary assortment of compounds and components. Although he cast reveal spell after reveal spell, he found nothing. The prototypes were missing and probably in the hands of the suspect.

  “So much for the scene of the crime,” he muttered.

  As he retraced his footsteps, the Node prototype caught his eye. Out of curiosity, he activated the field within the doorway and stood back to watch the mesmerizing shimmer within. What exactly would happen if he tossed something organic through the doorway? He returned to the office and plucked a lion flower off the potted pride plant in the corner. After he lobbed the tawny bloom into the field, he powered down the prototype, waited a few seconds, and then powered it up again. Almost instantly, the lion flower came flying through the air toward him, perfectly intact. He caught it with both hands, mystified. If inorganic material and plants were returned intact, was Helene truly lost forever?

  Moments after Kellan turned off the prototype, the office door burst open, and Pompano’s distinctive voice rang out. “Who is in here?”

  Kellan activated his wizard’s shield as he left the laboratory and passed into Helene’s office. “Ranger Stratford.”

  Pompano thundered, “What in the name of Colossus are you doing? I’ve been working on the Node Network around the clock, but the power continues to surge at this location!”

  “Sorry about that.” Kellan kept his expression neutral. “I have a theory about the Node Network, and I need your cooperation.” He trained his tracker on Pompano to gauge his energy signature, but it was the same as before.

  The Head Wizard glared. “Why are you pointing that thing at me?”

  “To rule you out as a suspect.” Kellan slid the tracker out of view. “Did the Node Network ever function as intended?”

  Pompano folded his arms. “For a few days it was at full power.”

  “Was that before or after Helene’s disappearance?”

  “Before.” The response sounded grudging. “Why?”

  “I need you to shut down the entire Node Network and then power it up again.”

  Pompano’s complexion became mottled. “Are you insane? I’ve just managed to get the Network in a passable condition for the Promenade and you want me to shut it down? Absolutely not.”

  “If my theory is correct, the shutdown will act to clear a buffer and the Network will restored.” Left unsaid was Kellan’s theory that Helene would return.

  “The most powerful and well-connected families in the kingdom are setting out for Briarwood City tomorrow, Ranger Stratford. If I power down the Node Network and cannot bring it back online, the king will have my head!”

  Kellan’s temper flared. “A woman’s life may be at stake, sir! Shut down the Network now!”

  “No. I’ll reconsider your request after the Promenade has concluded, but not before.” The Head Wizard lifted his chin. “Stop messing about with Helene’s prototype before you upset the delicate balance I’ve achieved!”

  He strode toward the door but paused long enough to glare at Kellan. “How did you get in here without the key?”

  Kellan had no intention of divulging the wizardry that had allowed him to access Helene’s secret entrance nor was he in any mood to be conciliatory.

  “That’s a trade secret.”

  Pompano made a sound of disgust and disappeared into the corridor.

  Kellan raked his hand through his hair as he paced. He could ask King Justin for the Node Network to be shut down, but he suspected the conversation would not end well. A hunch was simply not enough to prove anything, His Majesty would take him for a fool, and any recommendations he made thereafter would be weighed accordingly. Furthermore, since he couldn’t prove that Helene had retained the disrupter prototype, any request to have Seer’s fashion bracelets recalled at this point would make him look idiotic.

  The only thing he could do now would be continuing to scan for signs of the suspect’s energy signature and let the Promenade unfold. Only after the pomp and circumstance had played itself out could he press his demands. Although he dreaded disappointing Alice, it would be kinder to tell her what he’d decided before she could get her hopes up too much. His heart was troubled as he locked Helene’s office from the inside, left the Ministry of Magic, and made his way to the main castle.

  As Kellen passed the main ballroom, he noticed lights and cameras being positioned near a dais and workers were fussing with a background of drapery, the royal crest, and the flag of Colossus. He guessed the Minfo was setting up to broadcast the big announcement about the princess in a few hours and the stir afterward was sure to be unprecedented. Alice’s life would never be the same again…and neither would his.

  When Kellen arrived at Alice’s suite, Paddy’s expression was sheepish. “Er…you might want to come back later.”

  Kellen peered at him. “What is it?”

  “The princess has a guest.”

  A muffled shriek of laughter reached Kellan’s ears and he gave Paddy a sharp glance.

  “Who is the guest?”

  “Blackmon.” Paddy grimaced.

  When Alice answered Kellan’s knock, she was giggling and out of brea
th. In the background, Blade was breathing hard as well. At the sight of the two of them having an enjoyable time together, Kellan was filled with an unfamiliar, green-tinged emotion. Since he had no claim on the princess, he chastised himself for his jealousy. The truth was, he had no right to feel anything at all except for loyalty to a member of the royal family.

  “Forgive me for disturbing you.” Kellan bowed. “We’ll speak later.”

  “You’re not disturbing me.” Alice’s merriment faded. “I want to hear what you discovered.”

  Kellan exchanged a glance with Paddy before following the princess inside.

  Blade’s demeanor was cool. “I must be going. After King Justin presents you to the kingdom, Alessandra, there’s to be a cocktail party to introduce you to some important people.” He fixed Kellan with his gaze. “It’s invitation only.” He pressed a photograph into Alice’s hand and left the suite.

  Alice gave Kellan a tentative smile. “Blade was teasing me about a stupid baby picture just now.” She tossed the photograph onto the table.

  “You don’t owe me an explanation, Princess.”

  “No?” She averted her gaze. “I-I suppose not, but I wanted you to have one all the same.”

  The band around his chest loosened ever so slightly.

  “I don’t have any good news for you.” He told her about his fruitless attempt to track the suspect’s energy signature.

  “What does that mean?”

  “The wizard may have a disrupter of his own. And until the Promenade is over, I can’t even enlist Pompano’s cooperation to shut the Node Network down.”

  She peered at him. “To what end?”

  “Based on what we saw in the lab today, I think it may be possible to bring your mother back through the Node prototype if it’s the only gateway open.”

  “Merciful heavens.” Alice sank into a chair. “I want desperately for you to be right.”

  “I can’t guarantee anything but it’s worth a try.”

  Her hazel eyes swam with emotion. “So, the investigation is on the back burner for now.”

  “Unless I stumble onto some additional information, I’m afraid so.” Kellan shook his head. “It gives me no pleasure to say that to you.”

  She shot to her feet again. “I knew Pompano would stand in your way. Are you sure you read his energy signature correctly?”

  “I took the reading again and it doesn’t match the one from the Node prototype.”

  “Well…that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. He could have enlisted the help of another wizard to do his dirty work.”

  “That’s entirely possible. Be assured, until I can get Pompano’s cooperation, I’m going to continue looking for that other energy signature.”

  “I know.” She crossed over to him. “Kellan, I really don’t want you to think anything is going on between Blade and me. I needed a wizard to help me search my mother’s study for clues. We did manage to restore a photo album.”

  “Alice, you and Blade are as good as engaged and I’m just the scripted rival for your affections.” Kellan folded his arms. “Since we all know how the story ends, I think it’s a good thing that you two are getting along.”

  “Do you?” Her sigh was wistful. “I wish the story could be different. I wish—” A loud knock made her break off whatever she had intended to say.

  “I’ll get it,” Kellan said. “Stay behind me.”

  As it turned out, a small crowd of people from the Minfo were waiting in the hallway with a rack of gowns and a rolling cart of accessories.

  A voice rang out, “We’re here to get you ready, Princess!”

  As Kellan stepped to one side to let the people enter, he glanced at Alice. “Good luck. I’ll be watching the announcement on the vidscreen.”

  Her demeanor had taken on a measure of reserve. “Thank you.”

  Kellan joined Paddy in the hallway. “Is Dewar relieving you at seven?”

  Paddy shook his head. “Actually, the captain thought a rotation of three was inadequate so he’s assigning other Rangers to take the night shifts. Tonight, it’s Colton.”

  “Colton’s a good man and a larger rotation is probably wise.”

  Paddy slapped him on the shoulder. “Come have dinner with Gus, Dewar, and me in the dining hall, why don’t you? The food is better at Briarwood Castle than the canteen.”

  “Any food is better than the canteen.” Kellan chuckled. “See you then.”

  When he let himself inside his room a few minutes later, he stepped on an envelope someone had slipped under the door. As it turned out, King Justin had invited him to the cocktail party at five o’clock. Furthermore, a tuxedo had been delivered in Kellan’s absence and was hanging from a hook on his closet.

  It seemed Blade would have to put up with his presence after all.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The Princess

  Alice wrestled with nerves as she paced behind a decorative partition in the ballroom. Mrs. Diamond had provided several cocktail dresses, from which Alice had chosen an off-the shoulder gown in deep sapphire satin. Her hair was styled up and made more spectacular by the use of a supplemental hair piece. A tiara and her father’s necklace gave her sparkle, along with the silvery disrupter on her wrist. Matching satin shoes and expertly applied makeup completed her look. Although she was satisfied with her appearance, she yearned for her worry stone—and a friendly face.

  Minister Seer appeared, clad in an uncharacteristically traditional suit. “We are live in five.” He thrust a card into her hands. “I jotted down some remarks for you but try to make them sound natural. His Majesty will address the kingdom first and then you’ll join him on the dais to say a few words.”

  Alice glanced at the card, but the writing seemed to swim. “Do you suppose I could have something to drink? I’m feeling a little light-headed.”

  Seer snapped his fingers at one of the stylists. “Bring some water and be quick about it.”

  “Right away, Minister.” The woman hastened off.

  “Just breathe, Princess.” Seer gave her an appraising glance. “You are as close to perfection as anyone could imagine.”

  Alice managed to smile. “I don’t feel perfect.” When he reached up to push a hairpin into her coiffure more securely, she caught a glimpse of silver around his wrist. “Oh…is that a copy of my disrupter?”

  “Yes, indeed. It’s our first release.” He giggled and pulled up the sleeve of his tuxedo to show her. “Isn’t it pretty? When you’re in the Minfo tomorrow, remind me to show you our upcoming lines. We’re going to make so much money!” His eyes lit up. “I know…why don’t you select a charity to benefit from the profits? People will feel twice as good buying a copy of your bracelet and you’ll appear compassionate!”

  Alice frowned. “I am compassionate, sir.”

  He beamed. “Of course you are.”

  The stylist brought her a glass of ice water with a slice of lemon and a thin red straw.

  “Thank you.” Alice sipped her water as she focused again on her remarks, but her hands were shaking. “I’m not sure I can do this.”

  “Not to worry! There is a scrolling prompt device on the camera if you get stuck. You only have a few lines and then you can join the party.”

  “You make it sound easy.”

  Ranger Flynn had taken up his position at a respectful distance, but she was still in his line of sight. She had nothing against the man, but she would have far preferred to have Kellan by her side. Perhaps if she pretended Ranger Flynn was Kellan, her nerves would abate.

  ∞∞∞

  Although Kellan could have watched the broadcast on the vidscreen, he decided to watch the proceedings in person. As he donned the tuxedo, he marveled at its perfect fit. Even the dragon leather shoes provided for his use cradled his feet as if custom-made. Apparently, the Minfo had managed to take all his measurements more quickly than he’d imagined. He might not like the Minfo’s intrusion into his privacy, but he acknowledged Seer and h
is employees were experts at their craft.

  When he stepped out into the hallway, he discovered Blade was leaving his room at the same time.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Blade sneered. “I told you the cocktail party was invitation only.”

  Kellan smirked. “I’m on the guest list.”

  As they strode down the corridor together Blade didn’t spare him a glance. “When Alessandra and I are married, I won’t let you set foot inside the castle.”

  Kellan didn’t miss a beat. “The day you and Alice are married, I’m going to resign my post, purchase a sloop, and live the rest of my days sailing around the world.”

  They reached the staircase and Blade gave him a scornful smile. “You’d become a hermit and risk your life on a flimsy little boat just because Alessandra married another man? I’d never risk my life because of a woman.”

  Kellan made a sound of disgust. “That’s because you’re a fool. A woman like Alice is worth dying for.”

  The wizard’s eyebrows rose. “It sounds very much like you’re confusing your Minfo role as a Promenade suitor with reality.”

  “It sounds very much like you’re morally confused.”

  As Blade stood at the top of the stairs, he turned to deliver a retort. In the next moment, his shoe slipped on the carpet and he began to fall backward. Kellan’s hand shot out and he grabbed Blade’s arm.

  The wizard regained his balance and gave Kellan an appraising glance. “You could have let me fall just now.”

  “But I didn’t.” Kellan shrugged. “You would have done the same for me.”

  Blade’s eyes narrowed. “You give me too much credit.”

  He rested his hand on the bannister and trotted down the stairs as if he hadn’t a care in the world, but Kellan took a moment to collect his thoughts. He’d acted on instinct, to be sure, but the least Blade could have done was to show a little gratitude for saving his life. As Kellan descended the stairs, he wondered why King Justin hadn’t promised his daughter to someone with sterling character. Alice deserved a far better fate than to be joined in matrimony with Blade.