by Jody Hedlund
A puff of her breath, white in the cold air, mingled with mine. I was cognizant our circumstances were less than ideal, that if we’d been alone without our enemy camped on our doorstep, I would have had a difficult time unwinding myself from her and probably would have let our lips touch again.
In the future, I’d have to be careful to establish and keep proper boundaries between us. But for now, I had more serious problems to think about.
At another scrape of footfalls, my fingers tightened around my hilt and my pulse quickened. We didn’t have time to climb down into the labyrinth and hide. I was left with no choice but to fight our intruders.
I started to rise and push Maribel farther against the rock out of harm’s way. To my surprise, she drew me nearer, winding her arms around my neck. “Edmund.” Her whisper contained pleasure, as though she could think of no place she’d rather be than with me. Before I realized what she intended, she bent in and pressed her mouth against mine. At the same instant, a shadow fell over the opening of our hiding place.
I pushed away from Maribel, scrambled to my knees, and withdrew my sword. But I was too late. A dagger was at my throat before I could turn. It bit into my skin, piercing the first layer and causing blood to trickle down my neck.
“Stop!” Maribel cried, kneeling with her dagger extended. Her eyes were as wild as her hair. She was fully awake now, her expression panicked. When she took in the knife at my throat and the blood, her panic transformed into determination.
“Release him,” she said firmly to my captor. “It is I you seek.”
More voices came from behind us. And more shadows crowded the ledge’s opening. I considered whether I could reach my dagger and plunge it into the man’s gut before he killed me. As if sensing my next move, he wrenched my arm behind my back with one hand and disarmed me with the other. The pain of the movement tore through the wound in my shoulder, and I gritted my teeth against a wave of nausea.
“You do not need him,” Maribel said, this time with slightly more worry in her voice. “I am the Princess Maribel, and if you let him go, I shall willingly hand myself over to you.”
The pressure of the knife against my throat eased, but my captor’s grip was as unyielding as though he’d wound chains around me. Although I couldn’t see anything but his arm, it was enough to know he was a giant of a man and I wouldn’t be able to overpower him.
“Your Highness,” the man said with a measure of respect that surprised me.
“Bring them out here, Firmin,” came a command from outside—a command that sounded distinctly feminine.
The strong guard yanked me backward. And this time I couldn’t keep a cry of pain from slipping from my lips.
“He is severely injured,” Maribel called out. “Please allow him his freedom.”
But the soldier had no intention of freeing me. Instead, he dragged me from our cavern onto a level plateau that ended abruptly with the jagged edge of a steep cliff and a ravine far below.
My mind scrambled to find the place on the map of Mercia I’d memorized. I rapidly scanned the area for landmarks, for any sign of something familiar. But the barren, rocky terrain spread out before us to the horizon—mountainous crags, jagged rocks, and snowy peaks. In a month or two, the first buds of spring would bring some color back to the bleak gray. The few hardy plants that survived the high elevation and harsh climate would grow again. But for now, it was a desolate wasteland with few identifying markers.
Several other knights congregated on the plateau and stepped back as Maribel crawled from our hiding place. As she stood and straightened, she held her dagger out, her expression solemn and filled with resolve. In her other hand, she had the royal ruby, proving her to be one of the lost princesses.
My heart thudded with the need to protect her. I had to make her see that the best way she could save herself was to cooperate with our captors and cease worrying about what became of me. If she lashed out at them in my defense, I feared what they might do to her.
Before I could issue my warning, the guards all around dropped to one knee and bowed their heads before Maribel. Only then did I notice that although they were attired in black cloaks that were the style of Ethelwulf’s elite guard, these men weren’t wearing the king’s coat of arms. Instead of golden lions leaping against a black background, their badges contained golden lions standing against a ruby-colored backdrop.
It was Mercia’s emblem, one that hadn’t been allowed since Ethelwulf had taken the throne away from King Francis and Queen Dierdal. Were these rebels?
Maribel opened her mouth to speak, but at the sight of the men kneeling around her, she only stared, her eyes widening and the hand holding the dagger faltering.
“Maribel?” came a voice from above us.
Maribel pivoted at the same time I peered up.
There, on the upper ledge of the hiding place we’d just vacated, stood a woman who exuded strength and power in her bearing. She held a sword in one hand and a dagger in the other, and she, too, wore a black cloak over chain mail, breeches, and long leather boots. With her hood up, her face was shadowed, but it was easy enough to tell she was young and noble.
Behind her towered a broad-shouldered man with strong features and an iron build. He was armed and wore chain mail as well, but from the proud way he held himself, I could tell he was no ordinary soldier, that he was someone important.
Surrounding them were additional knights. Farther up the mountain, I glimpsed more soldiers and horses. If they were rebels, then perhaps we had a chance of surviving.
The young noblewoman sheathed her weapons and began to hoist herself from the ledge. Two of the guards nearby rushed to her aid. She ignored their outstretched offers of help and hopped down as nimbly as a cougar. The broad-shouldered man followed behind her.
When the noblewoman crossed to Maribel, I stiffened. My need to stand next to Maribel and protect her swelled with such force I struggled to free myself. At my movement, my captor jerked my injured shoulder, and I nearly collapsed to my knees.
Upon reaching Maribel, she touched the ruby. Then she lifted her hood, letting it fall away. And I knew. The likeness was so evident and natural there was no doubt who this woman was.
“Maribel,” the young woman said. “I am your sister, Adelaide.”
The fight and frustration evaporated from Maribel’s face, leaving wonder in its place. At the same moment, overwhelming relief swept through me, and I almost sagged against my captor. Maribel was safe. Ethelwulf wouldn’t get her.
“It may come as a shock to learn you have a sister,” Adelaide continued, “but rest assured, you are one of the lost princesses of Mercia.”
“No. It is no shock,” Maribel replied, staring at her sister with fascination. “Sister Katherine arrived at the convent less than a week ago and brought me the news of my true family—that I have two sisters.”
Adelaide exchanged a glance with the young nobleman.
He cocked his head to the west. “Then ’tis she who has brought Theobald’s troops into the area.”
“’Tis she who has finally brought our search for Maribel to an end,” Adelaide countered.
“We are fortunate Theobald did not find Maribel first.”
“We are not so fortunate yet.” Adelaide returned her gaze to Maribel. “For he will not rest until he has her within his grasp.”
Maribel’s attention was no longer upon our fate. She was too enamored with her sister to think of anything else. I could see it in her eyes—that childish look of excitement she got when setting out on an adventure.
“Sister.” Maribel tested the word and then reached out a hand to touch the queen’s cheek. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance. You are very beautiful.”
Adelaide hesitated, looking as though she wanted to touch Maribel too. But she held herself back.
“I never dreamed I had sisters.” Maribel moved her hand to the queen’s arm and examined her from her head down to her boots. “I always thought my
entire family died, that I was the only one who survived.”
I was fascinated by the similarities between the two women. Their hair was spun of an identical golden hue, their eyes of the same bright blue. Their features were delicate and elegant. And both were stunningly beautiful.
From the admiration radiating from the faces of the other men, I realized I wasn’t the only one fascinated by the resemblance of the two women.
“I held you when you were but a newborn,” Adelaide said softly. “And now look at you. You are a grown woman.”
“I am grateful God has spared us and kept us safe all these many years.”
“So many lost years,” Adelaide said wistfully, finally lifting a hand and grazing Maribel’s cheek.
“I have had a good life,” Maribel replied. “The convent has been a wonderful home, and everyone there has been family.”
The queen studied Maribel and fingered her hair.
When the broad-shouldered man next to her cleared his throat, Adelaide dropped her hand. “You will tell me everything about your life. I am eager to hear it all. But presently, we must be on our way. Captain Theobald has scouts swarming the Highlands and will learn soon enough we have found you. We would do well to put as much distance between our forces and his before that discovery.”
Her words set the soldiers around us into motion—all except the guard at my back, who still held me with an iron grip.
“Your Majesty,” he called. “What would you like me to do with this one? When I found him, he was molesting the princess.”
For the first time since we’d been discovered, the queen seemed to notice me. “Molesting?” Her voice sharpened as her eyes narrowed.
“He was taking advantage of your sister, Your Majesty.” The knight yanked at my arm, sending pain shooting through my shoulder. The move left me no choice but to drop to my knees or pass out.
“No!” Maribel cried out. “Edmund is my best friend. He would never compromise me.”
“Firmin is my most trusted guard,” the queen replied. “Are you accusing him of lying?”
Silence descended. With my back bent, I tried hard to focus on the unfolding situation. But the guard knew how to cause me pain and was taking full advantage of incapacitating me. I could hardly lift my head, much less speak through the burning sensations running up and down my arm and back.
“Edmund is a good man,” Maribel said, “and he has been helping me escape from King Ethelwulf’s soldiers.”
“So Firmin is lying?” Adelaide persisted.
What could Maribel say? That she had initiated a kiss with me this morning? She’d been half asleep and probably hadn’t realized what she was doing. If she confessed, she would bring shame to herself in front of everyone, especially in front of her sister.
I couldn’t let her do that.
I lifted my head as much as Firmin’s hold would allow. “The guard isn’t lying, Your Majesty. It’s my fault. I took advantage of Maribel. I should have kept better control of myself.”
The queen scrutinized me before returning her attention to Maribel who shook her head. “No, Edmund is trying to protect me—”
“Do what you wish with me, Your Majesty,” I called out, “but I would have no blemish rest upon Maribel.”
Was I imagining things, or did Firmin loosen his hold on me?
“We’d just escaped from the labyrinth.” Maribel’s voice was threaded with panic. “There was a horrible creature there, and we were tired and hungry and cold.”
While I appreciated her effort to spare me any discipline, I was more determined to protect her. “I have no excuse, Your Majesty.”
“Labyrinth?” The queen interrupted us both. “Here?”
“Yes,” Maribel responded. “And if not for Edmund, we would be hopelessly lost in it.”
“What kind of labyrinth?” Adelaide asked, but the broad-shouldered man next to her gestured, drawing her attention.
“We shall have plenty of time for conversation once we are far from the Highlands,” he said. “For now, we must be on our way.”
Adelaide nodded. Then she crossed to me with determined steps. When she stood directly in front of me, Firmin repositioned his hold, giving me no choice but to look up at the queen.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“Sister Katherine tasked me with accompanying Maribel to Norland and seeing her safely into your hands, Your Majesty.”
“Yet you have sullied her reputation and in so doing have cast a stain upon our fledgling cause. Furthermore, you have likely harmed Maribel’s chances of making a good match.”
Even though we’d done nothing more than kiss, I understood how compromising our predicament appeared. We’d been sleeping together very closely with our arms around each other.
“Have no fear,” Maribel said. “I am in no need of a match. I am a postulant and will soon take my vows to become a nun.”
The queen ignored Maribel and kept her focus upon me. “Tell me your name and where your family is from.”
“I am Edmund Charles Chambers. My family was from East Mercia of Chapelhill. They are all dead. Murdered in the purge during the early days of Ethelwulf’s reign.”
“And you alone escaped?”
I nodded but said nothing else. I wasn’t willing to revisit the past, not even for the queen.
Her brow quirked, and she studied me more carefully. “Chambers of Chapelhill?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How old were you when your family perished?”
“I was but a lad of four.”
Adelaide looked again at the broad-shouldered man who’d been pushing us to go, and silent communication passed between the two. “Then you are Lord Chambers of Chapelhill.” Her words were a statement and not a question.
Since I was the only living son of my father, I supposed his title had passed to me. Nevertheless, I’d been raised by a simple soldier turned blacksmith, and the idea of being considered a lord was almost laughable.
“To what lengths will you go to protect Maribel’s future and her reputation?”
“I would die for her if need be.” The words were out before I realized just how passionate my tone was.
Again, I couldn’t be sure, but Firmin’s hold seemed to ease even more.
“Then you will marry her.” The queen’s declaration contained a finality that echoed against the stones around us. She didn’t wait for my assent. Instead, she spun and strode away.
Chapter
15
Maribel
I stared after Adelaide. She wanted Edmund to marry me? She couldn’t be serious.
“Edmund and I cannot get married,” I said.
“You must.” Adelaide climbed up the embankment without breaking her stride.
Scrambling after her, I bunched my long gray habit to keep it from impeding me, but still, I lacked the physical prowess Adelaide clearly had. “You have apparently misunderstood me. I have made plans to become a nun and will do so when I turn eighteen.”
“I understood you,” she replied, leaping from one rock to the next. “But you are royalty and as such must resign yourself to a new life and the roles that come with being a princess.”
“Surely a princess can also be a nun, can she not?” At least I hoped so.
“As the firstborn twin, if something happens to me, you would become the heir.”
I’d never considered such a possibility. “I should like to give that role to my twin sister, if I may.”
“You might not have that option.”
I heard what Adelaide was leaving unspoken, that we had no way of knowing if Emmeline was still alive. And if she was, we’d likely need to fight against King Ethelwulf to claim her. “Nevertheless, I have never intended to marry. And I plead with you to reconsider what you have requested of me.”
Adelaide stopped so abruptly I almost toppled backward. With her gloved hand on the hilt of her sword and the wind billowing her dark cape, she looked every bit a warri
or and queen. “I can forbid my soldiers to speak about your indiscretion with Lord Chambers, but the word will leak out eventually.”
Lord Chambers? For a moment, I was confused about who Lord Chambers was until I remembered that was what Adelaide had called Edmund when he’d shared his identity. “I shall bear the burden of a ruined reputation myself.” I lowered my voice, aware we were drawing the curious looks of Adelaide’s men. “Moreover, since I have no need of a match, the soiled reputation will not interfere with my future.”
“It will interfere with our cause.” Adelaide spoke with a gravity that made me realize just how little I knew about the cause. “We have many supporters for the rebellion both within Mercia and Norland. They long to rid the isle of the evil practices, lewdness, and corruption King Ethelwulf’s reign has brought. I chance losing their support if I tolerate improprieties among my courtiers, especially from a sister.”
“I claim an abiding friendship with Edmund and nothing more.”
“You have been traveling with him unchaperoned and sleeping with him.”
The heat of mortification speared my cheeks. “Only for warmth.”
Adelaide lifted a brow, her eyes telling me she’d seen the truth of the situation between Edmund and me, and I wouldn’t be able to hide anything from her.
“In addition to being titled, wealthy, and landed, it is clear Lord Chambers loves you and will marry you,” Adelaide continued more gently.
Edmund loved me? Of course Colette had said as much, but how could Adelaide conclude something so soon after meeting us?
“If he is willing to suffer death on your behalf,” Adelaide said, as if hearing my question, “then he will find it no hardship to marry you.”
I glanced down the hill. The ox-like guard who’d discovered us together had released Edmund. In the gray morning, he was pale from his injuries, but he held his head with dignity, his lean face containing strength and appeal that would likely turn the heads of many women.