“I’ll be there... here.”
With that, I slipped from the room and glanced down each end of the hallway. Servants bustled about from here to there, room to room, carrying various items, rushing like their asses had been lit on fire. I certainly didn’t envy their positions.
I scanned their faces, deciding to choose older servants as spies, since they probably had a better chance at remembering historical events, and also, a better chance at being included in important gossip.
I stopped the first one I could, a plump, elderly woman named Carol with salt and pepper curls.
“What can you tell me about the Timberlune royals?”
She chuckled and put a hand on her rounded hip. “Whatever you’d like to know, I imagine.”
“Awesome. How about, Bria? Anything that might put a damper on the engagement?”
Carol seemed to understand exactly where I was going with this. “Yes, Your Highness. I’ve heard rumors that Princess Bria has a fae boyfriend back home. One who is not very pleased with her impending betrothal.”
Oh, that was excellent news.
“And from what I can tell, Your Highness, Bria doesn’t particularly want the union either. But her parents are adamant about it. I think it has something to do with the harpies.”
“And the Harpy War?”
“The Great Sky War, Your Highness?” she asked, clarifying.
“Yes. That.”
She pursed her lips and narrowed her slightly wrinkled eyelids as she thought. “Possibly. I know the war ended with the Treaty O’ Ley—an agreement between Eristan and the old kingdom of Essund—but once the Storm King defeated Essund and turned it into Eastern Blackwood, the treaty fell through. The harpies have been at the fae’s throats ever since.”
“What are they fighting over?”
“Land, I believe. The Lunaley.”
I cocked my head. “What’s the Lunaley?”
“Just a place, Your Highness. Located at the border between Timberlune and Eristan.”
“Why is it significant?”
“I have no idea. You know how royals are. They see something they want, and they fight over it like children.”
I sniffed out a laugh. I really didn’t know much of anything about royals, but from what I’d seen, I could imagine that assessment being true.
I glanced at the other servants rushing by, hoping they weren’t paying too much attention to us. I would probably have to end the info session soon.
“Why not try to align her with Ben then?” I asked quietly. “He was the heir of Essund, right? That union could’ve probably brought back the treaty."
"Perhaps, Your Highness. But Prince Calvin controls the sky. Given Timberlune’s enemies are ruthless and lethal in the air, I think they'd feel safer with Prince Calvin on their side."
I sighed, and my lips twisted as I pondered the situation. “Yes, I suppose that makes sense.”
Suddenly, Carol’s eyes widened. She dropped into a hasty curtsey and scurried off. I spun around just in time to see Cal leading the group of royals straight toward me, with Bria on his arm. I hated seeing them together, no matter how nice she seemed.
“Ah, Alexis, there you are!” he said, smiling. “We were just about to head to the back lawn for an invigorating round of croquet. Would you care to join us?”
I plastered on an overly wide smile. “Oh, so sorry, Prince Calvin, but I have more afternoon lessons to attend.”
“I’m afraid I must insist. This is a special occasion. Surely your lessons can wait?”
In other words, I was not getting out of croquet—or any other gods-awful activities that might’ve been planned for the entire remainder of the day.
Lovely.
I did my best to sound excited. “Well, in that case, I’d love to!”
Cal glanced skyward, as if asking the gods to help him. “Excellent. If you’ll all follow me, we’ll get this game started.”
Out back, the servants had already set things up. Tiny hoops were positioned throughout the grass in a meandering pattern, and a panel of clubs and rock-solid balls were sitting near a table full of refreshments.
King Titus immediately beelined for the clubs, studying the weight of the heads and plumbness of the handles, while Queen Bravia went straight for the drinks, downing the whole glass in one gulp.
Bria shot me a meaningful glance and smiled tightly. I got the impression she didn’t care much for her parents. The feelings radiating from her were a gentle mixture of embarrassment and melancholy. I suddenly found myself feeling sorry for her. She was a pawn for her parents just as we were pawns for the Storm King.
I scanned the lawn and found a couple servants waiting off to the side, probably ready to jump should one of the royals need something. I waved one of them over, a young man who seemed charming and confident despite his meager place in the world.
“Your Highness,” he said, bowing. “How may I help you?”
I smiled brightly. “I’ve never played croquet, you see. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind helping me choose a mallet and a ball?”
“Oh, not a problem at all, Your Highness. Right this way.”
He led me over to the rack of mallets and chose one right away, earning a sneer from King Titus. Then he reached down and grabbed a ball, testing its weight by tossing into the air and catching it a few times.
“These should do just fine, Your Highness. Would you like me to explain how the game works?”
“Yes, please. And while we’re at it, I would like a word with you, if you don’t mind.” I cocked my head to the side, and he took my hint, leading us away from any eavesdropping ears and prying eyes.
“Hold your mallet like this,” he instructed. Then he whispered, “What do you need, Your Highness?”
I copied his instructions and choked up in on the handle.
“Have you heard the rumors about Hydratica?” I asked him in a curious tone, one that suggested I was more interested in casual gossip than serious information.
He grinned and lowered his voice. “That they’re building more ships?”
“Yes. So, you have heard. Do you know why they’re doing it?”
He shrugged. “The servants have been discussing it off and on. Our best guess is that, since Timberlune is aligned with Hydratica, they’re preparing to fight on Timberlune’s behalf—should the union with Prince Calvin fall through.”
“Are they expecting it to fall through?”
The servant glanced at me with a knowing eye. “Ever since you arrived, Your Highness.”
Oh, shit.
Hydratica bordered Western Blackwood, Dan’s part of the kingdom, which meant his people would get hit first if things went ass up. When things went ass up. My stomach twisted.
“Aim at the first hoop,” the servant told me. “Line up your shot, then hit the center of the ball with the center of your mallet.”
I did as directed... and missed the damn hoop entirely.
The servant jogged over and retrieved my ball, placing it back in front of the hoop for another try.
“How’d they become allies in the first place?” I asked, doing my best to sound innocent as I swung and missed again.
He chuckled as he retrieved the ball once more. “Timberlune and Hydratica, Your Highness? They formed an alliance during the Sohsol Apocalypse centuries ago. Hydratica would have been wiped off the map if Timberlune hadn’t swooped in and saved them.”
“The Sohsol Apocalypse?”
“The Spirit War, Your Highness. When the dead first rose up.”
My brows rose, and I blinked a few times. Clearly, I needed to have another chat with Rob about our nation’s history. Or maybe Ben. Screw Professor Samson. He didn’t teach me anything exciting like this.
Suddenly Cal appeared in our huddle, standing a head taller than each of us and looking intimidating as fuck. He crossed his arms and glowered. “Am I interrupting something important?”
The servant boy chuckled nervously.
“No, Your Highness. I was just helping the future princess understand the game.”
Cal’s brow raised. “All the way over here? In private?”
“Uh...” The poor guy looked nervous as hell. I could tell he didn’t want to rat me out, but he also didn’t want to get in trouble with Cal. I couldn’t blame him either way.
I grabbed the ball and mallet and thrust them into Cal’s left hand; then I slipped my arm through his right elbow and turned him around, leading him back to the lawn where the game was about to start.
“I was just asking him for information,” I whispered.
“What kind of information?” Cal hissed, trying not to look conspicuous.
“Political stuff. Anything that might help us figure this situation out.”
Cal sighed. “Next time ask us Storms first. And if you must resort to asking the staff, ask an old lady or something, not a hot young bachelor.”
“I did ask an old lady first!” I protested. “But you scared her off.”
He shot me a lopsided grin. “Is that what you were doing in the hallway when I found you?”
“Obviously.”
“Listen,” he said, sounding serious all of a sudden. “King Titus has shortened the timeline. He wants a definite yes or no to the engagement by tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow morning?” I asked in horror. That was all the time we had to figure this ugly situation out?
I was suddenly aware of King Titus’s and Queen Bravia’s eyes on us. Cal apparently was too, because he handed me off to Ben as fast as he could and retook his place by Bria’s side.
“Everybody ready to start?” Cal asked in a charming tone, acting as if nothing had even happened. “I think we should let our guests of honor go first. King Titus?”
Titus shot me one last glare before nestling in and lining up his shot.
Bria and I shared a solemn gaze across the lawn, and I sighed.
This was going to be a difficult fucking day.
Chapter 29
When darkness finally fell and it was time for the Royal Ball, I was already beyond irritated.
I'd literally spent the whole day as a part of Timberlune’s royal entourage, following them around, doing whatever they wanted to do, talking when I didn't feel like talking. The only good part was that the Storm brothers and I kept sharing furtive glances. Sly winks. Suggestive lip bites or licks.
Even still. It’d been exhausting.
I sat in a velvety chair in my room, wincing as a servant girl tugged and yanked on my hair, slowly transforming my wavy locks into some sort of floral masterpiece.
I wished Gem had been the servant doing my hair. Or Mom. She used to braid my hair when I was a child, weaving in daisies to make me feel like... well, I suppose, a princess.
Clearly, I had no idea back then what being a princess would feel like. Otherwise, I never would have dreamt of it with longing.
I sighed, too afraid to hope that Mom and Gemma were doing well, but wishing for it wholeheartedly, nonetheless. If I would have known the hurt and the harm I would cause by bringing them to the palace with me, then I never would have done it. I would have risked everything to help them run away, to escape before the king even knew they existed.
But the damage was already done. There was no taking it back, no reversing it. Now, there was just dealing with the repercussions and trying to survive the consequences.
By the time the servant was finished, I looked like I had a bouquet of brown flowers sitting atop my head. It was actually far prettier than I made it sound. I’d never looked more beautiful in my life. It almost didn’t look like me.
I'd also been squeezed into a chocolate-colored silk gown that was absolutely littered with jewels—a gift from Bria. I couldn’t possibly just not wear it. One must bend over and kiss royal ass whenever necessary. I thought that in Madam Annette’s tone, and in my mind, it was a pretty damn good impersonation.
Bloodred lipstick completed the look to perfection. I appeared for all the world like a dark seductress, not to be fucked with.
When the servant girl had taken her leave, I scooped my pet sloth up into my arms to snuggle him. Speedy had sat there the whole time watching me get dolled up with a strangely vacant expression on his cute little face. It made me wonder what he might’ve been thinking.
"What's wrong, Speedy boy? Are you not happy here at Nightshade?"
He bleated softly, a depressing sort of sound if I ever heard one.
I sighed. "It's not so bad. The territory is at least familiar. Lots of trees…."
Yeah, trees were about all the similarities.
"I'm sorry about making you travel so much. It can't be easy on you. But I'm glad you're here. Even though I haven't spent as much time with you as I used to. Trust me, I don't love you any less. I just..."
Now I was starting to feel depressed. My chest and throat tightened.
"My life has just become so much harder now, you know? Things are so complicated... Mom and Gemma are in danger every day of their lives, and I’m over here trying to survive my own fate and feeling guilty for it around every turn. I mean, do I even deserve happiness anymore?”
I wasn’t sure if it was a rhetorical question or not, but Speedy nodded slowly just the same.
“I was super happy last night, being with the guys as a group, and now that Bria's here, I already feel like our foundation isn't strong enough. Like we’re going to crumble apart at any moment. Like Cal could backout at any minute and ruin everything. You know what I mean?"
A slow-motion smile crept up onto his lips.
"Yeah, I'm sure you totally get it. The smile was just to comfort my insecurities, right? I’m sure it had nothing to do with you being happy about Cal ditching me. Asshole sloth, anyway.”
Speedy bleated indignantly, and I grinned. At least he'd gotten a bit of emotion back to his tone. That hopeless wallowing was enough to break my damn heart.
Just then, a servant knocked at the door.
"Miss Ravenel?" the male voice said. "The Princes Robert and Benson request your hand...s.”
“They request my hands?" It made me smirk. I'll just bet they did.
“Uh...” I could practically hear the blush in his voice. “For their balls—no, for the ball, Your Highness. They wish to be your escorts."
I laughed and deposited Speedy on the bed, stroking his fur. "Very well. Tell them I accept."
"Yes, Your Highness. They'll be waiting for you at the foot of the stairs."
"Thank you."
I shot one last glance at Speedy and sighed. “I don't know if things will ever get back to normal, buddy, but I hope some sort of normalcy finds us anyway. I hate feeling so uprooted all the time. It almost makes me homesick for Blackleaf—and that's saying something."
I placed a quick kiss on his head, then shut and locked my bedroom door behind me.
Rob and Ben's jaws dropped in awe when they saw me at the top of the steps.
Mine dropped too, but in mock terror as the candlelight glimmered on each one of the hundreds of jewels on my dress.
"Gods fucking damn it, I hate jewels!" I complained as I descended the staircase.
"I hate you too, Jewels," Rob commented with a smirk.
"I’m not even Cal, and I know that's a lie."
"How can you tell?" he asked, grinning.
I reached up and touched his chin. “Because you have a bit of drool running over here.”
He jerked his face away and chuckled, while my attention drifted over to Ben.
"You look abso-fucking-lutely amazing," he muttered.
I grinned. "Now, who's the sailor with the dirty mouth?"
He smirked. "I think we proved last night just how much of a sailor I can be."
"More like a naughty pirate captain."
"Is that sexier for you?" Ben asked with a challenging brow raised. “Maybe we can try it next time?”
Rob heaved a heavy sigh, one I was beginning to understand was more about jealousy t
han impatience. "Yeah, Jewels, you look pretty and shit. Now, can we get going? I'd like to get this stupid thing over with."
I wrapped a hand in each of their elbows and started walking.
As much as he wanted to deny it, I could sense how excited he was. He didn’t think the ball was stupid, nor did he want to get it over with. He wanted to be there... with me on his arm.
"Oh, that's right! I forgot to tell you guys... I figured out what my other power is."
"When did this happen?" Rob demanded just as Ben asked, "What is it?"
"Empathy," I said with a smile. "And I found it out on Cal’s date the other night."
"Speaking of dates, " Rob said. "You still owe Ben and me some alone time."
My heels clicked on the stone floor as we walked, and my giggle echoed off the hollow walls. "The sex I had with each of you doesn’t count as a date?"
"Not a proper one," Ben argued, agreeing with Rob. “Hell, I shared my date with everyone. I still haven’t gotten alone time.”
"But the dates from earlier—" I began.
"Don't count," Rob finished. "As we discussed previously."
I smiled wide and nodded. “Fine. I’m looking forward to them anyway, so I hope you’re prepared to wow me.”
Ben chuckled, but Rob groaned.
As we neared the ballroom stairs, a sudden wave of nausea and nerves washed over me.
I had no idea where it'd come from—scratch that, I knew damn well. I hated the thought of seeing Cal with Bria all night. I hated knowing I'd be under the scrutinizing gaze of the king and queen of Timberlune. And since it was a ball, there was an epic shit ton of people who would be watching my every move. Judging me. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was going to fuck something up. It wasn’t like I'd had many etiquette lessons over the past few weeks. And of the lessons I did have, almost none of them had involved dancing.
I shook my head slowly, testing the touchiness of my gut. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
"We better believe her," Rob said to Ben, veering us off the carpeted path and out toward a side garden. “Her stomach is not her strongest asset.”
Which was, unfortunately, quite true lately.
Taken by Storm (Storms of Blackwood Book 1) Page 28
