Dragons Among Them (Kingdoms of Fire and Ice) (5 page)

“Now is precisely the time for such a demand.” Helena left his side to pour him a glass of wine. “I shall not have you making rash decisions about Zayne’s future until we know the full story.”

“Bah,” Robert muttered. “We already know the story. ’Tis the same as the last and the time before that. Honestly, does the boy know no restraint?”

He took the drink offered to him, and Helena watched as the tension in his shoulders began to ease.

“I imagine not, if he is anything like his father at that age.” She knelt onto the floor beside his chair. Robert cast her a knowing look, and the two shared a quiet chuckle. “My lord, I know his actions today seem selfish and rash, but I sense there is much about them we do not yet know. For instance, why was the fair maiden in the Forathian forest to begin with? ’Tis a dangerous place, even for the bravest of hunters.”

“Or the biggest fools, our son included.” Robert’s gaze shifted to the flames dancing in the grate before him. “Why must he defy my every command? I forbade him to hunt on their lands until peace has been secured, but to no avail. Does he seek to inflict war upon us?”

“Your son loves you and our great kingdom,” Helena said softly. “He would do no such thing.”

Robert snorted. “Love. A feeble emotion that makes weak the strongest of men. Surely I’ve taught him better than that.”

Helena’s gaze shifted to the fire as well. Robert hadn’t always been so cold, so contrary to emotion. Zayne was still young and full of the same unbridled passion his father used to possess. She prayed her son’s heart would never grow so cold.

“I will order Zayne to return and provide an explanation for his actions,” said Robert. “Then I will choose an acceptable punishment.”

“Punishment?”

“The boy must learn his place, my queen. If it takes a fortnight in the dungeon to get through that thick skull of his, then so be it.”

Helena’s mouth fell open. “But, Your Majesty—”

“Off with you now.” The tone in his voice was weary as he dismissed her. “I’ve no energy left for bickering.”

Helena rose slowly to her feet, then kissed the hand her husband extended toward her. “Yes, my lord.”

* * * * *

Emeline sank into her favorite hearthside rocking chair in the manor’s grand kitchen, knitting in hand and pipe clenched between her teeth. The servants had finally finished their chores and retired to their chambers, leaving behind only the lingering scent of their mutton dinner. Emeline remained, insisting she first finish her new pair of woolen socks. What she truly wanted, however, was to learn more about their uninvited guest…and when she would be leaving. The last thing her royal ward needed was a distraction.

Especially one shaped like Addie.

Though uncommon for the king or queen to enter the servants’ quarters or kitchen, their son had been sneaking into the space to escape his father’s watchful eye for years. Of late, often when King Robert was not present, Zayne would wander in seeking conversation or advice. Tonight, she suspected, would be no different. All she had to do now was wait.

Halfway through her first sock, Emeline’s patience paid off. A familiar step sounded in the hall, accompanied by low muttering. In another moment, Prince Zayne stormed in and set at once to pacing the floor. Emeline withdrew the pipe from her lips and placed it upon the hearth.

“Has she gone, sire?”

“No,” he growled, his gaze fixed upon the floor. “I insisted she stay until morning. She is…confused.”

“Oh? About what, exactly?”

“Everything. It seems I gave her quite a fright in the forest. Lass must have hit her head harder than I thought when she stumbled back. Crazed woman tried to escape out the window. I barely caught her in time. That was just before you walked in.”

Emeline worked to keep a smile from her face, not that he would have noticed. The man was burning a hole into the floor with that fiery scowl. Never had she seen him so bothered by a woman, especially one he’d yet to bed.

“You say she tried to jump out the window?” she said. “And here I took you to be the reckless fool of our lot.”

“Bah, she was frightened, is all,” he muttered, then stopped to throw her an accusatory scowl. “Why did you insist on placing the poor girl upstairs and at such risk?”

At that, she stopped rocking. “’Tis my fault the
poor girl
is acting strangely? And how would you expect her to act after the day she supposedly had? Did you expect her to jump into your arms and at once pledge to you her undying love?”

“Of course not.” He looked away. “And what do you know of love?”

“Far more than you, I am afraid.”

“Regardless, ’tis not love I seek but the loyalty of my men, the trust of our people. The faith of my father.”

“All noble causes, indeed. Though the last one may be a bit more difficult to come by.”

Zayne stopped in his tracks. “Why do you say that?”

“This arrived while you were upstairs, scaring your guest into nearly jumping out a window.” Emeline withdrew a scroll from the folds of her skirt and held it out toward him.

The prince cursed under his breath as he took it, then tore the parchment free from its royal stamp. His brow furrowed deeper with every line read. When at last he’d finished, Zayne dropped into the chair across from her, tipped his head back, and closed his eyes.

Emeline’s heart went out to the lad. If the prince had worn that look of defeat once, he’d worn it a hundred times. “He knows?” she prodded softly.

“Aye,” he said. “It was a sentry who buried the arrow in my side, and made haste in reporting what he saw to King Jarin. Father demands I return home at once to explain my actions and accept punishment.”

“Punishment?” A knitting needle slipped from her hand. “For what?”

“Recklessly pushing his kingdom to the brink of war as I was out whoring my way across the countryside.” He turned his head in her direction and cracked open one eye. “Now I ask you, does that sound like something I would do?”

She cocked one brow in his direction as she collected her dropped needle but remained silent on the matter. They both knew the answer well enough. He sighed and let his eyelid slide shut once more.

“If that were the case,” he mumbled, “it might well be worth it. But my actions of late have been a charade and nothing more.”

Emeline snorted.

“Believe what you want,” he said, his face resigned in the shadows of the fire, “but I speak the truth when I say everything this past year has been but an act.”

“An act? But why, sire? You know how it infuriates your father for you to behave in such a way. And your mother, have you spent not a thought on her? She wishes nothing but happiness for you. Marriage to a fine wife who may one day bear you a son to bounce on your knee.”

“Which is why I have acted as I have,” he said quietly. “If they believe me reckless, intent on sowing my wild oats, they would not dare move the wedding forward. Doing so would bring dishonor to both our kingdoms.”

“Zayne.” Emeline set her knitting aside and leaned forward in her chair. “Your father has chosen you a beautiful bride in Princess Rosalind. Once the two families have united, peace can commence in both our lands. Then no more battles, no more war.”

He snorted softly. “Never will there be an end to those things, I fear, royal marriage of convenience or not.”

“Perhaps, but this is one opportunity you simply cannot afford to deny.”

Zayne opened his eyes and met her gaze. “But I feel no love for her, Emeline. Nor do I particularly like the woman.”

“Sometimes the needs of those around us transcend our own, my lord. As heir to the throne, ’tis your cross to bear.”

It broke her heart to say those words, to espouse the very rules that had kept her from her own true love so long ago. But ’twas a world of responsibility, not fancy, and she’d do him no favors to suggest otherwise. No, the young prince needed to make amends with his parents and proceed with his wedding. Unfortunately, there was one task that yet remained: returning their unexpected guest home.

“Sire, where exactly did you find Addie today?”

His eyes brightened at the mention of the girl’s name. “In the forest at the base of Forath’s foothills. No sooner had I drawn my bow to take down a fine buck when her scream rang out.”

“You were in human form when you found her?”

“Yes.” Zayne clamped his mouth shut then, and Emeline knew it was pointless to ask why he had chosen to hunt there, of all places. His father would drag the answer out of him, one way or another. “And before you ask, I plan to see her returned there tomorrow as an act of good faith to both kings.”

“Do you think her a spy, my lord?”

He barked out a harsh laugh. “No. Though her background is a mystery to me still. I demanded to know from which village she hails, but the names were unfamiliar. Is it possible that King Jarin has been broadening his kingdom without our knowledge?”

“I have heard no such talk, sire.”

“Regardless, the truth shall be revealed tomorrow.”

“Surely you will not accompany her back?”

“And risk further retribution from my father? Do you wish me to be locked in a cell for the next decade, woman?” Zayne’s grin faded as he looked again to the parchment in his hands. “No, the men and I will and ride to our border tomorrow. Once there, I will divide the group. Half shall go and return her to this supposed village of hers, and the other half will accompany me home. If she is a spy, the edict from my father or not, it would endanger you all for me to remain here.”

“Aye.”

The prince stood and tossed the scroll into the fire. “I shall pen a message to my father, advising him of my intentions. It must be sent tonight.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Emeline watched the reflection of flames dance in her ward’s eyes. There was a deep sadness there tonight, one she hadn’t seen before. Did the fair maiden plague his thoughts still?

“You must send her back, sire,” she added after a moment, her voice soft.

“Aye,” he said, confirming her suspicions. “She begs to return. Alas, I cannot escape the feeling that where I found her was not where she should have been.”

Emeline rose and placed a gentle hand upon his shoulder. “Then take her to where she belongs, so you can return to where you are meant to be.”

Chapter Six

Addie woke the next morning to the sound of muffled voices. Groggy and disoriented, she peeked out from beneath her pillow and tried to make sense of the view. Rustic décor, dark fireplace, bearskin rug…

Damn, it hadn’t been a dream.

Last night had been one of the longest of her life. And while hiding beneath the bed’s heavy quilt had brought her little in the way of real security, it had helped to block out the sound of guards, shifting (and later snoring) outside her room. As she lay there, scared and alone, Addie came to the conclusion that wherever she was, it might be safer to do as Prince Zayne asked rather than trying to resist. What was that old saying? It was easier to attract flies with honey than vinegar? So long as no one tried to hurt her or touch her—she’d break someone’s nose if they even thought about it, a swift palm to the schnoz like she’d learned in self-defense class last spring—then what harm could it really do? And maybe, just maybe, it’d get her back to Watford that much faster.

Addie shifted so her head was atop the pillow and yawned. Purple-tinted light cast the room with an eerie, too-early-to-be-awake sort of glow. She lay there, debating whether or not to fall back asleep, until a scraping noise sounded on the other side of her room’s door. In another moment, it swung open and Emeline’s portly body stepped in unannounced.

“High time you woke, Miss Addie. Come now, a big day lies ahead of you.”

The smell of hot tea and warm bread drifted into the room, which distracted Addie from the “Good morning to you too” and “So nice of you to knock” comments on the tip of her tongue.

“Morning, Emeline.” She propped herself up on her elbows. “What time is it?”

“Nearly five o’clock, miss.”

“Five o’clock?” With a groan, Addie slumped back down and considered pulling the pillow back over her head, then stopped. Five o’clock? That meant there would be plenty of time to get her back to her hotel. Heck, she might even have time to squeeze in a quick shower if they hurried.

Addie pushed herself into a sitting position and watched as the older woman set an armful of fluffy blue fabric onto the chaise. “Look, Emeline, I really, really appreciate you guys taking such good care of me yesterday and all, but if I don’t get back to my hotel before nine, I’m going to be in hot water. Do you think Zay—I mean, Prince Zayne will let me leave soon?”

“Aye. His Highness has ordered the horses be readied and asked that I bring you breakfast and proper clothing before you set off. You may thank him for his hospitality then.”

“Horses?” Addie asked.

“Aye.”

“Great.” They really seemed to take this rustic living to the extreme in Edana. Not that she was about to complain—Watford couldn’t be more than a carriage ride away.

Energized by the first good news she’d heard in nearly a full day, Addie threw her covers back and swung both legs over the side of the bed. Lord, she was sore today from all the tumbling and whatever else she’d been through the day before. Biting back a grunt, she slid off the bed and made to set off for the adjoining powder room…and promptly fell into Emeline’s surprised grasp.