He led her to a table laid with silver and lighted candles galore. The food was partially hidden by piles of roses without stems. When offered, Luna declined the chair. There was a foldable chair built into her crinoline. Pure genius. It would have been really awkward if she'd had to sit on the high-backed chairs in Gustavo's dining room.
“I am quite happy that you chose to wear something pretty for a change.” He handed her a plate of sugared rose petals and a glass of dark red wine before he sat. “I knew you'd clean up nicely.”
Although he probably meant to pay her a compliment, his words sounded as unfriendly as before. Luna's heart plummeted, increasing her desire to flee. Before she could get up though, Gustavo said something that froze her in place.
“It was quite a surprise, really, when you agreed on this dinner. I could hardly believe my luck.”
“You like me?”
“You're beautiful.” He smiled. Luna wasn't sure how genuine it was, although she had to admit that the smile became him. “Far too beautiful to ignore. Even the king noticed, and he usually scorns beautiful women. He thinks they're only interested in him because he's king.”
He's trying to make me relax, Luna realized, and her heart thumped harder. Could he really be interested in me? The girl that everyone despises? Something must be wrong. She decided not to trust him until he had proven his worth.
“I'm starving … and not just for food.” His eyes sparkled with amusement as he clapped his hands.
A flood of servants boiled though a narrow door in one corner of the room, bustling around the seated pair. A special extension was added to the table to allow Luna to reach her food without spoiling her dress. Not that she felt like eating anyway with her feelings in turmoil like this. Still, she did her best to sit still. A servant placed a bowl of soup in front of her. She ate sparingly. Her stomach just wasn't up to it at the moment. Also, she was careful with the wine. She'd seen many drunks, her father being one of the worst, and didn't plan on giving Gustavo the smallest advantage.
Dinner seemed endless. Gustavo ate with a good appetite and made small talk as if nothing was amiss. Luna did her best to appear cheerful but it was paired with wariness, and she feared he noticed. She didn't touch much of the food. Finally, with the dessert over and the plates and table extension removed, Gustavo offered her a hand.
“Shall we take a little stroll through the garden?”
Luna nodded and put her hand on his, feeling ridiculous. We must look like those posh people that sometimes stroll in the park like peacocks. She tried to relax and allowed him to lead her. They left the room through the French doors and walked down a long garden path. The air was warm on her bare skin, hinting at the summer to come, and the blooming flowers’ fragrance filled her nose like an expensive perfume. High above, the moon hung in the sky like a big lantern, illuminating the neatly trimmed hedges and the white pebbles of the paths.
Talking animatedly about inconsequential subjects, Gustavo chose a twisting path with several turns, obviously trying to confuse her. Luna suppressed a smile. Someone who grew up navigating the maze of the poorer quarters in town had no problems remembering the way. Even if he tried to strand her here, she'd be able to return to her room.
When they neared the small, white structure of a pavilion, Gustavo shouted in pain. Suddenly, his weight hung on Luna's arm. He cursed, using words that made Luna blush although she had heard similar phrases before. She just had never thought nobles would know them.
“I twisted my ankle.” Gustavo pointed to the pavilion. “Would you mind helping me inside so I can sit on one of the benches?”
Luna nodded, and he draped his arm over her shoulders. With her support, he hobbled inside and slumped on a bench, pulling her down close beside him. Before she could free herself to look at the ankle, his lips closed over hers. Fire shot down her spine. This was what she had imagined a first kiss should be like. Pushing his hand into her hair, he pressed her even closer and slipped his tongue into her mouth. He still tasted of sugared rose petals. Luna found it hard to breathe. For a while, the world blurred, and all she knew were the exquisite explosions of fire as Gustavo kissed the skin from the corner of her mouth to the soft spot on her shoulder.
His arms encircled her so strongly she could barely move. He pushed her back until he was lying half on top of her. She could feel the heat of his body through the layers of cloth separating them, and it brought her back to her senses. Kissing was one thing but this went too far. She wasn't ready for more yet. A cold draft caressed her legs, insisting that her skirt had lifted to an unacceptable angle again. She tried to free her mouth to protest, but Gustavo held her too tight. With one hand he began to untie her bodice.
“The two of us will have a lot of fun together.” His smile reminded Luna of a cat she'd once seen playing with a mouse.
“That depends on your definition of fun.” With all her might, she struggled to get free.
He sat up with a frown. “What's wrong? I thought you liked this.”
“I do, but I'm not prepared to take it any further just now.”
“Don't tell me you've never done it before. I bet your drunkard father has had you whoring for him the second your tits showed up.”
“He'd never…” Luna couldn't form a coherent thought. “I thought you'd…”
“Oh, come on. Did you really think I'd be interested in more than a little body action? You can't be serious. I'd never consider a woman without a single dime to her dowry.”
Lost for words, Luna stared at him.
“Now, shut your mouth and undress.” His face had gained a dangerous gleam. “And just to nip your protest in the bud, you should know that I caught your brother red-handed, stealing a necklace of the king's late mother.”
A ball of ice built in Luna's stomach, and the part of her mind not struggling to keep up with events marveled at how fast her emotions had gone from tentatively happy to hate in a few seconds. “I do not believe you. Mondo would never steal. What have you done with him?”
“He's in my custody for now, and if you don't comply, I'll hand him over to Vincente.” His fingers caressed her jaw line. “As I said, you're too beautiful to be ignored. And I always get what I want.”
“Where is my brother?”
“Not in the dungeons. Yet.” He reached out to pull her into his arms again, but she evaded his grasp and stood up. I must stay calm. If I can do that, I might still save my brother. She took another step back.
“Of course, you will understand that I need proof of your claims,” she said, stepping back. The pavilion's open arch was only a few steps away, and with his injury, Gustavo would not be able to follow her fast enough should she have to flee — unless, of course, he had faked the twisted ankle.
“Be my mistress and you shall have your brother back.” The smile on his face never reached his eyes.
“I'm not going to share a bed with a man who isn't man enough to entice me instead of blackmailing me. I shall have the king investigate this.” She stood as erect as she could and glared at him.
“We shall see.” He pushed a hand though his hair and sighed. “I will give you three days to consider. Go now.”
He didn't have to say that twice. Luna bolted and hurried back toward the castle. If she hurried, she might be able to search his quarters before he returned. Thudump, thudump, her heart went, reminding her of how little time she had. Despite the turmoil in her heart, she remembered every twist and turn of the path and soon ran though the French doors into Gustavo's dining room. Frantically, she opened all the doors she could find. She discovered a privy covered in white tiles, and a narrow room for Gustavo's valet as well as a narrow staircase leading to the kitchens if she could trust her nose. The door on the other side of the room led into a bedchamber as big and luxurious as the king's. Expensive suits, gilded weapons, and stylish shoes filled a walk-in wardrobe to the rim, but there was no sign whatsoever of Mondo.
When she heard Gustavo's shuffle on the
terrace in front of the French doors, Luna hurried out of his quarters and ran. In next to no time, she reached her room. Cooling her hot face with a wet cloth, she racked her brain for Mondo's possible whereabouts. Nothing came to mind. Before she could stop herself, tears ran over her face, and the lump in her throat dissolved into crying. She hugged the pillow and cried herself to sleep.
The next morning, a servant fetched Luna to the king when the sun was barely up. Automatically, she wiped the remains of the tears from her face, put on some more sensible clothes and followed the order. All the while, she kept thinking about Mondo. When she arrived in the throne room, she was surprised to see most of the royal court assembled so early. Servants passed slices of bread and glasses of apple juice around. Hastily she curtsied but her heart wasn't in it. There were more important things to do than to tighten a few bolts. She flinched at the sight of a yawning Gustavo who executed a mock bow when he noticed her. Blushing, she slipped behind the lesser nobles just as the king greeted his audience. From the corners of her eyes, she noticed he was wearing his veil again.
“Yesterday evening, I was confronted with the worst news possible. My youngest brother, Macario, has been discovered dead in the forest of our neighboring kingdom. They say he was a sore sight. His burial will be as soon as his body arrives, and I expect all of you to attend it.”
A murmur went through the crowd and only died down reluctantly when the king spoke on.
“Since the whereabouts of Christiano are still unknown, we have to assume the worst. Gustavo, will you come forward, please.” He waved his friend closer.
Luna's throat constricted, and she wanted to tell him what kind of person Gustavo was, but her throat made no sound. It was probably better this way. For one, the king wouldn't believe her anyway. The friends were too close. And anyway, who guaranteed her the king wouldn't have tried the same if he weren't caught in a metal body? Lastly, she had been the one wearing a neckline that revealed more than it hid. Gustavo's servants would surely testify to that if asked. Then she'd look like a girl striving to marry above her station. Her lips tightened and she watched Gustavo bow to his friend.
The king pulled him up and turned him to the waiting court.
“Ever since he came to this court, five years ago — gosh has it really been that long? — Gustavo has been my best friend. Despite his injury, he raced to the castle to fetch help. Without him I wouldn't have survived. I am sure of that. Of course, I shall be a lot more careful from now on.” The king's voice held amusement. “Since he's closer to me than my own brothers, I hereby appoint him Ruler of the Realm. If, against all expectations, something happens that leaves this kingdom without an heir, he shall take responsibility for as long as it takes to locate the next rightful heir in the line of the royal family.”
More murmurs, and Luna was sure she heard a couple of sighs too. Well, those she could understand. Gustavo wouldn't make a good replacement king. Luckily it was fairly unlikely he'd ever sit on the throne. With his metal body, the king would probably live much longer than anyone else in human history.
“Hey, he's been calling for you.” Someone nudged her and pushed her toward the front. Slightly confused, Luna walked up to the throne. To her big surprise, the king stepped down from the dais and put a hand on her shoulder.
“Thanks to you, I'm still alive,” he began. “Therefore, I have decided to name you Royal Mechanic until we find our old one. Upon his return, you will become his apprentice, if you want.”
Luna smiled weakly. A day ago this offer would have made her dance with joy. Right now, there was only one thing she was truly interested in, but she couldn't ask him to find her brother in front of all the people. She curtsied once more, trying to hide her sadness. When she walked back to her place, she was surprised to notice how many of the courtiers smiled at her. For a moment she wondered why she had become so popular all of a sudden. Then she realized that most of the courtiers wanted to get closer to the king — and she might be the means to this end. She sighed. Why did it have to be so hard living in the royal household? Envy, distrust and intrigues everywhere. Well, she'd stay away from false friendships as best she could.
The court grew restless when the king called for the petitioners. Never before had he done it this early. Still, they settled down soon and witnessed the king issuing judgments.
Waiting for the audience time to end was the hardest thing Luna had ever done. Her whole body screamed to hurry and find her brother, but leaving now would have been an affront against court regulations. She was sure that even in her new position she would be punished severely, which would endanger her brother's rescue. But time was running out and she felt as if she was standing on glowing coals. To keep her mind off things, she concentrated on the king's adjudication. To her surprise, he did a very good job.
An elderly woman had accused her equally aged neighbor of murdering her cat. “She threw it out the window right in front of a chariot. It was run over and died there and then. I demand justice.”
“I didn't do it on purpose,” the accused said, clutching two kittens against her chest. “I found these kittens and thought they were without a mother, so I meant to pick them up to feed them. But then, her cat attacked like a maniac. I only defended myself.”
“Murderess. Fiend. Cat hater,” the first woman shouted.
The second woman hung her head, stroking the kittens’ heads. The king's verdict cut off the insults.
“It is normal for a cat to protect her young,” he said to the first woman. “The resulting chaos was an accident, and it is evident that your neighbor is very upset about the death of the kitten's mother. Choose one of the little ones to make up for your lost pet.” He turned to the second woman. “You will keep the other kitten and care for it as best you can.”
“But I never raised a cat before.” The second woman looked panic stricken.
“In that case, your neighbor will teach you all you need to know.” The king dismissed the women with a wave of his hand. Carrying a kitten each, they walked down the aisle, glancing at each other now and then.
Luna was impressed. Not only had he found a just verdict, but by forcing the two women to work together for the kittens’ sake, he'd given them the chance to become friends. There's more to him than meets the eye, Luna thought. I should ask him to order Gustavo to give me back my brother. She watched the next cases with interest. The king always found a solution that bore the seed of potential growth. The only exception was the case of a man who'd murdered his wife and kids.
Finally, the audience was over, and Luna hurried to the king's private chambers. The guard at the door held her back until the king arrived. To Luna's great relief, Gustavo was nowhere in sight. She followed the king into his suite and curtsied. Since it wouldn't do to accuse his best friend of kidnapping right away, she asked, “Have you seen my brother, Your Majesty?”
“Not in quite a while. Has he run away?” He walked to the recharging orb without looking at her.
“No, sir. Gustavo claims he took Mondo into custody because he stole something. But Mondo is a good boy. He wouldn't touch anything that doesn't belong to him.” Luna pondered if she should add the bit about Gustavo blackmailing her, but decided against it.
“Gustavo is a good man. I'm sure he'll look after your brother very well until he sorts things out.” He put his hands on the orb, but it didn't light up. “What's wrong? Why doesn't it work?”
“Still, I'd like to see him to know that he's well. Can't you help me?” Luna stepped closer. “You need to push the orb so the sunlight falls on it, sir.”
“But it is, and it doesn't recharge.” He looked at her with his inflexible face. “Fix it and I'll tell Gustavo to bring your brother here.”
With a nod, Luna crouched to examine the orb. Again, she marveled at the delicate pattern of the brass and iron wires that encircled the sapphire. The sapphire … her eyes widened. A big crack went down the side, splitting the big gemstone in half.
�
�Did you accidentally drop the orb, Your Majesty?”
“No, but maybe the cleaning maid did. Why?”
“The sapphire is broken, and without it, the orb won't work.”
“Can you fix it?” There was a desperate note in the king's voice.
“I'd need a sapphire of the same size and quality.” Gently, Luna extracted the two halves of the broken jewel and handed them to the king.
He stared at them for a while. Then, he shook his head. “I have many sapphires some of even better quality, but they're all smaller.” He looked at her unblinkingly. It unnerved her more than she cared to admit. “Can't you use a smaller one?”
To escape his unwavering gaze, Luna turned back to the orb and examined it more closely. The mess of cables looked as if they'd been pushed haphazardly into the sphere. There was no system she could see. So, maybe she could replace the big sapphire with several smaller ones. She pulled the brass cage that had held the sapphire toward her, took one of the stones and adjusted the cage until the splinter fit in perfectly. Turning the newly framed jewel into the light, the orb began to hum. A barely visible light shimmered on the surface.
“If I had more sapphires and more cables, I could construct a working charger.” She straightened and looked at the king. “But they'd need to be gemstones of the highest quality.”
“Wait here.” The king left the room, and despite Luna's urge to search for her brother, she stayed. It didn't do to disobey a direct order from the king. Also, he was her best bet for getting Mondo back. When he returned, he put a medium-sized box on the table beside the orb and opened the lid.
Luna gasped. It held more sapphires then she could ever want, and all of them were cut into the shape of flowering roses. When she caught herself, she nodded. “These will do. Take good care of them while I fetch some brass wires and iron cables.”
The King's Mechanic Page 5