Stealing the Wolf Prince

by Elle Clouse

  She used the servants’ halls to avoid a possible confrontation with Ian or Ayden and passed a few servants as they went about their chores. They greeted her politely and continued past.

  She opened the newly replaced servants’ door to Lachlan’s room and caught him undressing before his mirror. She halted and peeked at him. He was shirtless, and his breeches were being held up by only a drawstring.

  He slowly adjusted the waist of his pants, flexing his back muscles with every movement, and turned to retrieve a white shirt, his chest and stomach rock-hard. He was doing it on purpose.

  “I know you are there.” He continued to pose before a mirror as she watched. “Like what you see?”

  She stepped from behind the door. “What shocking things you say.”

  He smiled at her and opened his arms, and she ran to him and fell into his embrace. Enveloped in his strength, she sighed.

  “Did you listen to what Melchir had to say?” he asked.

  “I did.”

  “And?” Lachlan let go so he could look at her.

  “I’m an Aosi princess!” She giggled. “That is, if he is to be believed. My mother never told me, but Melchir had her necklace. The one that I played with as a child. And I could understand Ardhor when he spoke Aosi, although he didn’t know I could. And Melchir said I couldn’t marry you because I am too noble.”

  “Can’t marry me?” Lachlan sputtered. “I’ll be a king. Wait, you don’t want to marry me?”

  “You haven’t asked.” Kiera laughed and walked behind the changing screen. She knew she had left him speechless but hadn’t known she wanted him to propose until she said it. She changed into her nightgown and stepped out from behind the screen. She longed to listen to his faintly accented voice again and asked, “Will you read to me?”

  Lachlan recovered from her comment, grinned, and plucked her favorite book of sonnets off the nearby bookshelf. Kiera grabbed a blanket and snuggled next to Lachlan on the lounge chair. He opened to the first page and began to read. Kiera smiled as she listened to the rumble of his voice. She was too tired to hear more than a few poems, but she didn’t care. She knew he would carry her to bed and sleep beside her.

  Tomorrow he would finally ask her to be his bride, and she would say yes. It didn’t matter what Melchir might say about the union; it wasn’t really his decision. Technically, that right belonged to Brogan. Melchir might have helped Brogan in the forest, but no amount of indebtedness would persuade Brogan to make the choice for her. He knew better.

  As Lachlan’s voice flowed over her, she closed her eyes and let herself sink into his embrace. She looked forward to many nights of falling asleep in his arms as he read to her.

  BROGAN THOUGHT IT A little suspect that Flann had roused the troupe from their suites so early in the morning and led them to a small gardened courtyard. The strong coffee atop the serving tray set on the stone bench was not enough to compensate for the lost sleep. The sun barely showed over the garden walls. Erann, Brigid, and Phelan all yawned as they helped themselves to the dark, percolated roast.

  When Kiera and Lachlan arrived, Brogan understood. His cousin smiled and gave him a hug, minus her usual slap, though Brogan felt as though he probably deserved one anyway, considering what he had put her through.

  “I am relieved to see you well,” he said, looking over her rosy cheeks. “I feared I may never see you again.” As much as he teased Kiera for being a pain, he loved her very much.

  “I am well.” She smiled, finally hitting him halfheartedly. “Thanks to Lachlan.”

  Brogan looked at Lachlan, who had a glare locked on him. The set of his square jaw made Brogan nervous. He doubted his boyish grin would make the man stand down, but he tried anyway.

  “We need to talk.” Lachlan plunked his large hand on Brogan’s shoulder and shoved him back to a corner of the garden. Kiera’s smile turned all-knowing as she watched them walk away. He kept eye contact with her until Brigid pounced on her with a hug, and then he gave up hope. She would not rescue him.

  Lachlan stopped their march at the corner of the garden. He folded his arms and towered over Brogan for his inquisition. “I understand you are responsible for putting Kiera in the clutches of my brothers?”

  Brogan swallowed, wishing he had taken some coffee after all. The prince was a stone wall. He even blocked out the sun as he hovered over him. “Yes.”

  “You admit to attempting to defraud Cearbhall?” Lachlan’s words clipped out through clenched teeth.

  “Yes.”

  Brogan waited for a punch in the gut. To his surprise, he received a hug instead.

  “I cannot thank you enough for bringing her back into my life,” Lachlan said, his face breaking into a beaming smile. “Regardless of the method.”

  And then, as abruptly as he had embraced him, Lachlan released him. Brogan sighed with relief. He did not need another protective lover or fiancé flogging him over an endeavor. He had beaten himself up enough over this particular bad turn of events already.

  “Even so, Your Highness, I want to apologize and to make up for all the trouble I caused. If there is any way I can help...” He knew the state of the house: the closed-lip servants, the taciturn visiting lords. Ayden had cultivated a toxic environment to hide his dealings.

  Lachlan looked him over and nodded. “Be my eyes and ears. You look like a clever man. I can use a right-hand man with your particular skills.”

  “Of course, sir.” All his years sneaking around castles and city streets made him uniquely qualified to help. He already knew the castle grounds and all the escape routes. A high laugh from the direction of the others prompted Brogan to look past the prince. Kiera chatted with the three other members of their troupe like old chums. “If I may offer a suggestion. You are probably looking for evidence of your brothers’ plans right now. The servants have been silent since we arrived. If the princes are up to something, your best bet is to find a paper trail.”

  Lachlan grunted. “Ayden is the library archivist. He wouldn’t allow anything condemning into the records.”

  “No,” Brogan agreed. “But accounting and inventory records might be left for a lesser scribe. If it’s there, I can think of only one person who can trace the evidence. She researched our plans down to the last pence we had to spend. Use her.” Brogan knew Kiera was out of her element trying to maneuver through the intrigues of the courts. She would be more at ease among books.

  As if she sensed they were talking about her, Kiera turned to them and motioned them over to the rest of the group. She was practically glowing. Brogan could get used to seeing her smile so much.

  Chapter 14

  The caravan had to be welcomed into the courtyard by the entire royal family save for the king. Kiera felt nervous to be near Ian and Ayden, but Lachlan stood by her side the entire time holding her hand. She knew that was improper, but she appreciated it.

  Ian acted indifferent. Ayden tried to kill her with his glare.

  Brogan skidded in at the last moment, taking his place in the greeting lineup. As Lachlan’s right-hand man, his presence had been requested by the prince. “You can hit me for being late later,” he joked to Kiera, giving her a dashing smile and straightening his jerkin.

  A man and a youth on horseback preceded a coach through the gatehouse and halted in the middle of the courtyard. Both riders dismounted and approached.

  “Greetings, cousins,” Lachlan said. Before he could get any further, the coach door flew open. Out fell a pair of blond boys in the midst of a brawl. After them came a young woman with a wry expression and an old, frazzled nanny. The nanny swatted at the boys with a handkerchief in an attempt to break them up.

  Lachlan laughed. “May I introduce Connor Murphy, Lord of Oakenhurst.” He motioned to the tall, ash-blond man who led the caravan. “Miss Aisling Murphy of Oakenhurst.” The wry expression faded from the young woman’s face, replaced with a genuine smile. She had the same blonde hair as her brother. “Bowen.” The blond youth who
had ridden alongside Connor attempted a smoldering expression but reminded her of a duck with something in its eye. Kiera stifled a giggle. “And those two are Shane and Niall.” Lachlan motioned to the mass of fists and kicks behind them. “And Miss Cotton.” The poor nanny had given up her attempts to break up the fight and tucked her kerchief into her sleeve. “My friend, allow me to present Princess Kiera Clark Laelithaar.”

  Connor bowed, ignoring Ayden’s scoff.

  “Lord Brogan Fletcher,” Lachlan continued, adding a fake title to his name. Kiera caught Aisling staring at Brogan before she curtsied. “It’s good to see you again, Connor.” Lachlan clapped the man into a jovial hug. “It means a lot to me that you are here for my coronation.”

  “I would not miss it for the entire world,” Connor replied. He looked from Lachlan to Kiera and smiled. “I was elated and surprised to get the summons. Many thought that it would be Ian who would ascend to the throne. It’s good to see that you’ve recovered.”

  Kiera wanted to ask about the last comment but didn’t think it prudent in front of company.

  “And I hope,” Connor added with a raised eyebrow in Kiera’s direction, “that there will be another joyous occasion in the near future.” Kiera blushed. Lachlan hadn’t asked her to marry him yet, but everyone was assuming he had.

  “All in good time.” Lachlan squeezed Kiera’s hand and motioned the party inside. Ian and Ayden broke from the group first and disappeared quickly into the castle. “And in good time I hope to attend your nuptials, dearest cousin.”

  “It will be a while for me,” Connor said as they entered the great hall where the midday meal was being served. “It seems that you have snatched up the loveliest lady I have seen in quite some time. And an elfling at that, how exquisite. I shall have to travel far before I can find a woman as stunning as your Kiera.”

  The long table had been set for their meal. They seated themselves, Lachlan at the head with Kiera and Connor on either side. Aisling, Bowen, Miss Cotton, and Brogan ranged themselves along the middle of the table. The two warring twins were deposited on the far end. Ian and Ayden’s seats remained empty.

  Aisling sat with her hands in her lap. The amusement in her eyes as she watched the world around her spoke of mischief. She kept stealing glances at Brogan when she thought no one was looking.

  “It is more than Kiera’s pretty face I cherish,” Lachlan said, picking up the conversation once more. “It is her wit and cunning that I value most. Find yourself a woman who is your match intellectually and you will find true happiness.”

  Kiera was sure she couldn’t turn a deeper shade of red. The servants came forth with the soup course of the meal, and she looked down the table at Bowen. He had wound up sandwiched between an elderly woman and his even younger brothers. His expression was one of unutterable boredom.

  Conner leaned forward. “We will need to speak later of some of the things you mentioned in your letter,” he said quietly so that only Lachlan and Kiera could hear. Kiera wasn’t aware that Lachlan had sent a letter, but then again, he had been attending to things without involving her. She was fine with that; she didn’t have the heart for politics.

  “Over chess perhaps.” Lachlan sipped some of his wine.

  “That would be perfect.”

  They reverted to small talk as people of rank always seemed to do, speaking of the coming winter, the long journey from Oakenhurst, news from Talesin. Lots of words spoken of no consequence. The entire table was doing that, Kiera noticed, even young Bowen.

  Kiera knew that they were not speaking of trivial matters for no reason. They had confidential things that couldn’t be discussed in present company. Any of the servants could report their conversation back to Ayden.

  Aisling surprised Kiera when she leaned over and said, “Make sure he buys you an enormous engagement ring. He’s good for it.” Her eyes danced with mirth, teasing but serious at the same time. No one else had heard her, and Kiera smiled. “It will be nice to have more women in the family. I hate being outnumbered.”

  The two laughed at that. Kiera knew how she felt.

  The meal concluded, and all parties retired to their chambers for a rest. The coronation was several days away, and no doubt several private meetings had already been planned.

  LACHLAN WASTED NO TIME after the evening meal in seeking his cousin’s council. The servants had barely left Connor’s guest suite when Lachlan arrived. They embraced briefly.

  “This is almost too much to handle,” Connor admitted once they were certain no one was eavesdropping. “I didn’t expect you to be here as yourself, engaged to a breathtaking woman, and your brothers wishing you dead.”

  “I haven’t asked her to marry me yet,” Lachlan said. “Many things have changed since we were young, but one thing we must speak of now. Kiera does not know of my affliction. I would appreciate it if you would not speak of it in front of her.”

  Connor regarded his cousin. “It’s a family affliction. If she is going to marry into House Canis, she needs to know her children could be wolfkin.” Connor ran his hands through his hair with a sigh. “I can see she is very important to you, so I will respect your wishes. But she will need to be told sooner or later. I fear the longer you wait, the more she will resent the fact that you kept such a secret from her.”

  “She has seen the beast before,” Lachlan admitted. “In fact, she is the reason I am here today and the beast is at bay.”

  “I assumed as much.” Connor motioned for his friend to sit in one of the parlor’s many chairs. “How is it that she does not know that you and the beast are one in the same?”

  “When I first came upon her, I was barely in control. She passed out from fright before I came to my senses completely. But I recognized her and found myself lucid for the first time in a long time.” Conner raised an eyebrow but didn’t interrupt. “She lived here as a child. She thought that she was the daughter of our scribe and her ears a deformity. Her mother never told her who her true father was, not even with her dying breath.” The words were getting harder to say. It was difficult to will his mind to dredge up the memory of that day. “The scribe’s death was not a complete accident, either. Kiera doesn’t remember the incident, but it is the last memory I have before the rage set in.”

  “What happened?”

  “When the rage overtook me,” Lachlan said with reluctance, “the scribe was too close. He did not stand a chance. I killed him, Connor. I killed the man that Kiera called father and she doesn’t remember it. She would hate me for sure if she knew.”

  Connor was slow to reply. “Did you intend to kill the scribe?”

  “Of course not,” Lachlan snapped. “He was an innocent bystander. Ayden was antagonizing Kiera, and I intervened. He saw the rage coming and locked me away in the west library to protect himself and Kiera. He couldn’t have known... The scribe didn’t stand a chance.”

  Conner brooded on this for a moment. “How did Kiera happen to be down in that cavern anyway?”

  “That would be at the hand of my brothers. They thought to get rid of her. She had been betrothed to Ian.”

  “That explains much about the rumors I’ve heard. I thought some of them too ludicrous to be true. Your brothers are quite the talk about the countryside.”

  Lachlan sighed. “Their antics have made them look quite ridiculous, but their intent is still something to be concerned with. I am convinced that they will not rest until Ian is on the throne, and they will take any steps necessary.”

  “And that is why I am here,” Connor concluded.

  “Yes. I need all my allies at my side during the coronation.”

  “Who else have you summoned?”

  “All the lords that are loyal to my father,” Lachlan said. “And we will also have the high chancellor of the Aosi Mons on our side.”

  “A relative of Kiera’s?”

  “Her father.” Connor looked surprised. “I had not known she was of such noble blood when we first met, when I fell f
or her. We need to catch my brothers in one of their plots to convict them through the courts. But we cannot allow anyone to be hurt waiting for them to strike, either. Especially my Kiera.”

  “Precarious,” Connor stated.

  “Without a doubt,” Lachlan agreed.

  THE NEXT EVENING, LACHLAN invited Connor to his private parlor in the royal wing of the castle. Kiera waited for their guest to arrive, fiddling with the hem of her emerald gown. The gold lace trim offered her countless hours of fidgeting potential. After a short while, Lachlan stilled her hands.

  “I have considered Conner my friend since we were very young, Kiera,” he explained. “I would trust him with my life. I trust him implicitly, as much as I trust you.”

  There was a soft rap at the door, and Connor strode in with Aisling at his side. Her dress was a flattering shade of burgundy. Connor’s gaze went to their held hands while a smile flitted over his face. Aisling seemed more relaxed than at dinner and smiled as well.

  “Good evening,” Connor said.

  “Welcome.” Lachlan released Kiera to shake his friend’s hand. “Thank you for coming. It is nice to see more friendly faces amidst the castle guests.”

  “Indeed.” He turned to address Kiera directly. “Hello, Princess Kiera.”

  “Hello,” she replied.

  Aisling stepped forward. “Enough with the formalities.” She waved her hand as if shooing a fly. “I didn’t spend a week in that carriage to waste time on etiquette and social repartee.” She shook Kiera’s hand just as Connor had shaken Lachlan’s. Kiera appreciated Aisling’s candor. She looked between Connor and Lachlan and saw that they were both amused and relieved at the interaction.

  “It’s nice to make your acquaintance, Aisling,” Kiera said, dropping the title. She received an even wider smile for that.

  “As I said, it is so nice to be on solid ground again and out of that horrid carriage. It will be worth the wait to see Lachlan take the throne. I never cared for Ian or Ayden. Ayden used to pull my hair as a child.”