by Kit Morgan
“Yes, dear?”
“What if … what if I told you I was from someplace … far away?”
“Of course you are, dear – America. That Las Vegas place.” Mildred took another bite of her sandwich.
Mitzi took a deep breath. “Well, let’s say it’s … about 130 years away.”
Mildred stopped chewing. “I beg your pardon?”
A chill went up Mitzi’s spine. Was it a warning? “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said …”
“Nevermindnevermind.” Mildred set her sandwich down. “I can see that something troubles you greatly. Would you like to talk about it?”
Mitzi stared at her, a lump in her throat. She might as well come out with it. At worst, Mildred would chalk it up to her losing her marbles. “I’m from the future.”
Mildred blinked a few times. “What?”
She nodded. “It’s true. Queen Maddie and Prince Andel know. Their friends the MacDonalds brought me here – I don’t know why. But I was born in 1998.”
Mildred stared at her, mouth agape.
Mitzi set the half-eaten egg on her plate. “I’m sorry, but I had to say something. I feel like I’m starting to crack up.”
Mildred continued to stare. “Well,” she said softly. “We can’t have that, now can we?” She looked toward the two guards that accompanied them. They were blessedly out of earshot. “I …”
“You don’t believe me, I get it.” Mitzi laughed nervously. “I didn’t expect you to –”
“On the contrary, my dear. I do believe you.”
Now it was Mitzi’s turn to stare. “You do?”
Mildred put her hand over Mitzi’s. “Oh, my dear sweet girl, I knew there was something different about you.” She glanced around. “And I don’t think you’re the only one.”
“What?”
“Oh, people can say all they want about the queen and prince, but the truth is, they’ve always been a little strange.”
Mitzi’s eyes widened. “Are they not from around here too?”
“Not entirely – the queen grew up in America, the prince … Sweden or Norway, I think. And … odd things happen now and then. Especially when the MacDonalds are involved.”
Mitzi closed her eyes and raised her face to the sun again, craving the warmth, the familiarity, the sense that it, at least, was real. “Are they time travelers?”
“I cannot say, child.”
“But you suspect?”
“I suspect many things in this kingdom.” Mildred glanced at the nearest guard again and scooted closer. “What makes you think you’re in the past?”
Mitzi laughed. “That there are no cars, no traffic noises, no airplanes overhead, no computers, no electricity or hot running water. I haven’t seen anyone carrying their phone around.”
Mildred gaped. “No, I … don’t think there are any of those things, whatever they are. Well, traffic can be a problem on market day. All those wagons …”
“I’m not talking about wagons, Mildred. I’m talking about automobiles.”
“I’m afraid I’m not familiar with those.”
“If my duty belt hadn’t been taken, I could show you. I have pictures on my phone.”
“Phone … telephone? How would you have pictures on a telephone?”
Mitzi was about to explain when the guards suddenly bowed. Her heart leaped in her chest as Asger approached slowly, a young woman and a teenage boy trailing behind him. “Lady Mildred and Mitzi …”
Mitzi smiled at the sound of her name and helped Mildred to stand. Once she was on her feet, Mildred curtsied to the three, then elbowed Mitzi, who did the same. She hoped she got it right – she’d never had to curtsy before. When she straightened she met Asger’s gaze. Her stomach had been calm the last few hours, and she hoped it didn’t give her trouble now.
“You’re well?” he asked softly.
“Yes. You?”
“For now.”
“Asger,” the young woman next to him prompted.
“Ah, yes. Mitzi, this is my sister Princess Raina, and our younger brother Prince Vale.”
Mitzi smiled. “Pleased to meet you.” It was the politest thing she could think of to say. What did one say to royals, anyway?
“The pleasure is ours. I hope you are feeling better?” Raina was almost as tall as Asger, slightly taller than their younger brother – she reminded Mitzi of a Viking maiden. Her English was a little stiffer than Asger’s, though.
Mitzi nodded, feeling insecure and inadequate in her presence. “Yes, thank you.”
“Our father has told us very little about you,” Prince Vale said. “We thought that perhaps if you were feeling better, you could tell us of your homeland.”
Mitzi flinched. “Really? Um …” Wouldn’t that be a riot – the young prince telling his parents about the girl from the 21st century?
Mildred saved the day. “The poor child couldn’t possibly. She’s growing tired again, aren’t you dear?”
“Oh, yes, very ….” Mitzi faked a yawn. “… sorry.”
Asger eyed her. “Yes, well, then. We should leave you to your rest.” He glanced at their picnic. “You must feel somewhat better, though.”
“Yes,” she said, her voice softer than intended. “No more bellyache.”
His eyes flicked to her stomach and back. “Good. You, er, look lovely, by the way.”
She touched her hair, which Mildred had teased high and put up in a sort of Gibson Girl style. Oh, yes – the Gibson Girl was from the 1890s, wasn’t it? “Thank you.”
He continued to watch her, and she him, feeling … content. Well, that was an improvement over the last time, when they’d both been in pain and nauseous.
“We should be going.” Asger motioned to his siblings. “We’ll visit with you later.”
Mitzi felt panic rise at the thought of him leaving. “When?” she blurted.
Raina arched an eyebrow at her.
Mitzi wondered if she’d just made a faux pas. “I mean … I look forward to it.” She smiled at Raina.
Raina smiled back. “Perhaps after you have had sufficient rest, we can meet here in the gardens again? Tonight will be pleasant.”
“Yes, thank you.” Mitzi smiled at Asger. “Tonight, then.”
He smiled back. “Tonight.”
Mitzi caught Mildred watching them with interest. Did she notice anything? But she couldn’t see the fluttering in her stomach or her throat growing thick at Asger’s departure. And Mitzi couldn’t explain it.
Chapter Fourteen
Asger had to see Mitzi, and hoped that if he brought his siblings along, his parents wouldn’t put up a fuss. He got lucky – they’d made it to the gardens unseen. Had they been caught, he’d never hear the end of it. It was bad enough Lady Mildred was there, though he suspected she wouldn’t say a thing.
That would be a blessing. He didn’t want to be ordered to stay away from Mitzi. And his parents might do that. Then what would he do? She was so … real, so different from Princess Velta. And the princess, her father and their entourage would be descending upon them tomorrow, so he had to get as much of Mitzi as he could today. He saw things more clearly after spending time with her, even if only a few moments.
“You’re pensive,” Raina said as they strolled along.
“He has every right to be,” Vale said. “He’s the one marrying to save the kingdom, not you. I mean, I’d do it if it was my duty …”
“You’d do it if Mother commanded it, you mean,” Raina said knowingly. “But as you’re not the eldest, you’re safe, aren’t you?”
“If it wasn’t me,” Asger warned, “it would be you, dear sister.”
“True.” She gave their younger brother another look.
Vale made a face and looked away. “Who is she?”
Asger knew he was referring to Mitzi. “I’m not sure. I only know she was in danger, so I brought her here.”
“Was she indeed?” Vale asked. “Or did you bring her here for her pretty face?�
�
“Don’t start,” Raina warned. “You’ll only aggravate him.”
Vale smirked. “But I’m trying to.”
Asger glared at him.
Vale knew what could follow that glare. “All right, I’ll shut up,” he said in defeat. “But I’d still like to know how she got here.”
“Other than over our brother’s shoulder?” Raina teased.
“Not you too,” Asger said. “Can we drop this?”
“Of course not,” she said. “We’re as curious about her as you are.”
Asger kept silent as they approached some guards who stopped, bowed, and continued on. “You’re certainly curious about her,” he told Raina.
“Naturally. It’s not every day Mother and Father take in someone that’s been wandering in the woods. There has to be more to her than that.”
Vale smiled at him. “Well?”
“I don’t know any more than you do.” Though he wished he did. Mitzi was a mystery he was itching to solve, but things kept him from doing so – like having his siblings with him this afternoon. But after running into them near their parents’ chambers, he had little choice. He looked over his shoulder at the gardens. She was in there, her sweet presence making itself known among the flowers, plants, shrubs and trees. Just the thought made him smile.
“Whatever are you thinking?” Raina asked.
Asger glanced at her. “That it’s a beautiful afternoon.”
“Hmm. Very beautiful, I take it?”
Asger purposely slowed to let Vale get ahead of them. Finally he stopped. “I cannot say.”
“Can’t you?” She sighed. “It’s obvious, Asger.”
“What is?”
“That you’re much more than curious about her. Something happened when the two of you were looking at each other. I can’t explain it, but it was there.”
“It? What do you mean, it?”
She shook her head, glanced at Vale and back. “I don’t know. Just be careful. You know how important this betrothal is.”
He closed his eyes. “I’m not sure I can go through with it.”
“Oh, Asger …”
He opened his eyes, saw her wringing her hands and took them in his. “I won’t shame our parents.”
“See that you don’t. You know how precarious the situation is.”
He nodded. “The world is changing, Raina. Neither you nor I can stop it. We are a rich country, but not a large or strong one. We need the protection Lacona can give us.” He nodded again, this time to himself. “I will do what has been asked of me to ensure we have what we need.”
Her shoulders slumped in relief. “I’m glad to hear it. I know you’ll make us all proud. I understand the sacrifice.”
“Do you?”
“I know you don’t love Velta. That indeed she may prove unlovable. She is … different.”
“Difficult, you mean.”
“No, different. I spent time with her when I was younger, when our parents met on occasion. She was quiet then, always with her nose in a book. Her father took them away from her, said it wasn’t fitting for a woman to read so much. And after her mother died, well, I hear she’s never been the same since.”
“Poor girl,” Asger commented. “Of course you can sympathize with such a plight. Not that I’m talking about losing our mother, but I can only imagine what you would do if Father or Mother banned you from the library.”
“It’s not amusing. In fact, to me it’s terrifying.” She glanced at Vale’s retreating form. “Do you think he cares we’re talking?”
“Vale? Are you kidding? The only thing our brother is interested in right now is himself. Just as we were at his age.”
She laughed. “He’s only a few years younger than I am.”
“Yes, but women at that age have a mind that works. I couldn’t say the same for myself.”
“True.” Raina grew somber. “Tell me you’ll try to find happiness in all of this.”
His head turned toward the garden. “I can only try.”
“Asger,” she implored. “You cannot let a stranger ruin what Mother and Father are trying to achieve.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t.” He walked on, not caring if she followed. The emptiness he’d fought to escape was creeping back, beginning with a chill in his gut. He fought the urge to look behind him, not to see what his sister was doing, but to avoid seeing Mitzi. Just a glimpse of her and he knew the pain would be back. It had calmed after parting from her in the throne room, but that didn’t stop him thinking about her, knowing she wasn’t far away. She consumed his thoughts until he ran into his siblings and they went to the gardens …
“Asger?”
He shut his eyes and stopped, his heart full of longing. He prayed it didn’t show on his face. Raina would see it in an instant. “What is it?”
Thankfully she stayed behind him. “You know I want you to be happy …”
He couldn’t stop his next words. “Then don’t tell me again I have to do my duty.”
“Give it a chance.”
His jaw twitched with the effort it took to hold himself together. The pain had started. “Raina, leave me be.”
“I just …”
“Go!” He took a deep breath and held it.
She walked past without looking at him. She was angry now, but there was nothing he could do about it. Not without making her turn around. He waited until she was out of sight, then turned his head to his shoulder. It was all he dared do. Somehow, a strange young woman had made him realize he didn’t want to waste his life with someone he didn’t love. Yes, he might grow to love Velta, but how long would it take? Was duty worth the price of his heart?
Furthermore, he knew there was more to his arranged marriage than his parents had let on. Perhaps it was time to ask them what they’d gotten themselves into. Did the king of Lacona hold something over them? Why else would they be so insistent he marry their daughter?
Asger let the breath out he’d been holding. Odd – he’d never been able to hold his breath that long before.
He walked slowly back to his chambers. Maybe reading would calm his mind. But it wouldn’t calm his heart – nothing could. This had to be his heart telling him not to throw it away on a woman he might never love. He couldn’t imagine keeping a mistress, and it wouldn’t satisfy him anyway. His heart was stirring as if from sleep – tiny, feisty Mitzi Fine had awoken something in him he didn’t even know was there. But how? And what could he do about it?
“Prince Asger!”
He turned to see Hal hurrying toward him. “What is it?”
“I have something for you to see.”
“Not now,” he said, a hand to his belly.
Hal noticed. “Are you unwell?”
“I’ve been better.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid you must come.”
“Why? What is it?”
Hal looked toward the gardens. “We captured a man in the woods. You still have the time piece?”
Asger’s eyes widened. “I’d forgotten all about it. Yes, it’s in my chambers.”
“Fetch it and come to the dungeon.”
“Has he talked?” Asger asked.
“Yes and no. He’s an American.”
Asger’s eyes popped wide. “Like Mitzi …”
“I wanted to let you question him before your father does.”
Asger grabbed his forearm. “Thank you, friend.”
“But do know that I can’t keep your parents from him for long.”
“Understood.” Asger turned and headed off. Maybe now he’d find out what had happened to Mitzi! And if the blackguard so much as harmed a hair on her head while he had her, he’d rue the day he ever set eyes on the woman, or this kingdom.
“There’s nothing here,” Lany said as they examined the remains of a fire.
“There was,” Dallan examined the ground. “A man lay here.”
“Could’ve been the peddler,” Lany said.
“Aye, but ther
e’s also an impression in the grass on the other side of the fire. There were two men.” He looked at the grass. “This one was … taller.” He closed his eyes a moment. “He feels familiar. Verra familiar.”
Lany blanched. “What do you mean?” Shona asked.
“I dinna ken. There was a large population in Mitzi’s city. Anyone could’ve slipped through while we had the door open. I thought the alley would prevent that from happening.”
“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry,” Lany quoted.
“Aye.” Dallan continued to examine the area. “It would’ve been nice if this one hadna.”
“What do you think happened to this person?” Shona asked.
Dallan walked toward some trees, eyes on the ground, then glanced over his shoulder at her. “Let’s find out.” Without another word he walked into the woods.
She sighed and looked at Lany. “Well, a-hunting we will go.”
“Looks that way.” He motioned for her to precede him.
They followed the trail for almost an hour, deep into the woods. To think that if the man had gone the other way, he’d have found the narrow path to the road and eventually the village. But he may have been trying to avoid that. If the peddler took his shirt and shoes, the man was barefoot and half-dressed in addition to being in the wrong century and probably disoriented. If the peddler took his wallet besides, then he had no identification – and regardless, he’d have no money he could use here and his phone wouldn’t work.
But Shona had an even more unpleasant thought. “Dallan, what if the person that slipped through was one of … them?”
He stopped and looked at her. “The men we encountered on our last assignment?”
“Yes.”
He straightened and stretched to get the kinks out of his back. “It’s a possibility … but we couldna sense those men. This one I can.”
Shona turned a full circle. The woods were thick, deep, beautiful but potentially full of dangers. She stilled, letting her heart search. “Yes, I sense this one. I couldn’t do this with the men that eluded us last time.”