Moody and the Beast

by Kristen Painter

  He smiled at her. “Good morning, Theodora.”

  She curtsied and kept her head down. He was so near. Inches away. It seemed improper to be that close to him, and yet there wasn’t a fiber of her being that wanted to move. After all, she’d already been on his lap. “Your Lordship.”

  Had he already been in the library when she’d arrived? Or was he just that quiet that she hadn’t heard him walk up behind her? “I was cleaning. I’m sorry to bother you. I should get back to—”

  “You’re not bothering me. I was looking for you, actually.”

  She lifted her head. “You were?”

  He nodded. “First of all, I signed the indenture.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Secondly, I was wondering if you could help me search for a little black cat that came to visit me last night?”

  She blinked at him. At his strong jaw and eyes that were so very blue. Like the water at the center of a deep lake. “A cat came to visit you last night?”

  “Mm-hmm. On my balcony.”

  “There must be a lot of stray cats around here, don’t you think?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ve never seen any before. Certainly not him.”

  “Him?”

  “I’m not sure about that either.”

  “I’d be happy to help you look. Mrs. Baton expects me to be cleaning in here, though. I should probably tell her where I’ll be in case she comes to check on me.”

  “Don’t worry about Hyacinth.”

  Theo snorted before she could stop herself. “Her first name is Hyacinth?”

  “Yes.” He grinned. “I know, right?”

  She covered her hand with her mouth and made herself breathe before she burst out laughing. She regained her control, then dropped her hand and nodded. “Okay, then, let’s go look for your new cat friend.”

  “Great.” He glanced down at her outfit. “But first, you’d better change if we’re going to be traipsing around in the woods.”

  When she was in jeans and a T-shirt with a shirt over top as a light jacket, they set out to look. Thankfully, she hadn’t run into Hyacinth. She smiled to herself. She had to stop thinking of Mrs. Baton by that name, or she was going to lose it the next time she saw the housekeeper.

  They left the house a different way than when they’d gone to the mines. This time, they went through a set of French doors that led onto an enormous back patio. Beyond that was the garden she’d seen from the library windows.

  Most of it was an enormous pavilion covered in creeping, flowering vines. The pavilion spanned almost the entire width of the garden area and was at least two-thirds of the length. At the very center sat a beautiful tiled three-tier fountain. Its basin was large enough to have fish in it. The burbling made a lovely sound.

  All around the pavilion were more plants, many of which Theo recognized from Limbo. One in particular really caught her eye, however.

  “You have nightberries.” She looked from plant to plant. They stretched down the entire side of the pavilion. “A whole thicket of them.” A fortune of them. But was that really such a surprise? He had been king.

  He came close to one of the plants, touching the leaf. “To be honest, I didn’t know. I don’t come out here often, and when I do, it’s not to look at the plants.”

  “Didn’t you build this house?”

  “Yes, but Vesta was in charge of the gardens. This must have been her doing.”

  What else had Vesta influenced in this house? Theo had to wonder.

  He picked one of the berries and tossed it into his mouth. “I love these things.”

  “So do I. Not that I’ve eaten them very often.” Anyone who’d grown up in Limbo loved them. Nightberries were amazing. Like a very sweet blueberry with a hint of honey. They were typically too expensive for anyone but royalty and nobility to enjoy them, but Theo had tasted them once as a child, thanks to her mother’s access to the fruit in the royal kitchens.

  There was also a black market for nightberries. After her mother died, Theo had made a little extra money to help her and her father survive by using her talents to steal the berries from the royal gardens and sell them, but her father had gotten wind of her side business and made her stop, fearing she’d end up in the clutches of the Overwatch.

  For a little while after that, he’d quit gambling to ease their debt. His health had even rallied a bit. But neither change had lasted long.

  Robin held a berry out to her. She took it and popped it into her mouth. The taste was exactly as she remembered it, sweeter maybe, and she was instantly reminded of her mother. She swallowed, smiling at him, something that was shockingly easy to do when she was around him. “Thanks.”

  He picked a few more, bouncing them into his palm. “Where do you think we should look for this cat?”

  She looked around. “Cats sleep a lot during the day. He probably found a spot to curl up. A hidden spot. One that’s also safe.”

  “Like under this thicket?”

  “Exactly like that.” She glanced at him. “I’m not saying we’re going to fail, but the chances of finding a cat that doesn’t want to be found are pretty slim. Especially when finding him would involve crawling under bushes covered with thorns. Not to mention filled with spiders and other creepy-crawlies.”

  He laughed. “Good point. You sound like you know a lot about cats.”

  “Not a lot. Some.”

  “Did you have one as a pet?”

  She shook her head. “Pets weren’t really in our budget. Although…” She smiled at the memory that came to her. “I used to feed the eels in the moat with stale bread my mother gave me. For some reason, they liked pumpernickel best.”

  Robin’s grin broadened. “Let me guess, you used to pretend you were the princess who lived in the castle?”

  She snorted. “No. I used to pretend I was the queen.”

  Chapter Ten

  Robin laughed. He adored Theodora’s sense of self. “Of course you did. How silly of me. Really, though, I should have known. You’re not the kind of woman who takes a back seat to anyone, are you?”

  Her smile flattened a bit. “I guess not, but I do anyway. And often. I have no choice. I was common-born.”

  He picked a few more berries. “So was I.”

  Her brows rose slightly. “You were?”

  He nodded. “Did you think I was born into nobility?” He helped himself to another couple of berries, then walked over to one of the many carved wood benches and sat, patting the seat next to him.

  She joined him. “Well, you ended up as king.”

  “Because of what I did during the war. Because my actions impressed the aging king enough to turn over the crown. Not because of who I was or the family I came from.” How much of his history had been suppressed? All of it? He held out the handful of berries.

  She took one. “I guess I never thought about it.”

  “Vesta came from nobility. I’m sure that contributed to her belief that she should hold the throne alone. That and the general belief of most fae that the throne was rightly theirs anyway.”

  “Not all fae believe that.” Theo ate the berry, then tucked one leg under the other and twisted to face him better.

  “That’s why I said most. I know there are some decent fairies out there, but you’ll excuse me if I’m a little bitter toward the lot because of my ex-wife.”

  Theo nodded. “Understood.”

  “Thank you.” He offered her another berry. Truth was, he was a lot bitter toward the fae. He knew it was something he needed to get over, but that was easier said than done.

  She took a berry but didn’t immediately eat it. “So what would you have said to the people of Limbo if you’d been given the opportunity to defend yourself against the queen’s accusations?”

  Robin studied the dark purple berry between his fingers. The tiny geometric sections that made up the oblong fruit reflected the soft light. He tossed it into his mouth. “I appreciate you asking me that, but
I’m not sure what good it would have done. I was given no trial. No chance to refute her accusations. Just drugged, poisoned, removed, and imprisoned. And as much as I would like for you to believe I’m innocent, that’s something you need to decide for yourself.”

  “But isn’t there something you can tell me that would prove it?”

  He sighed and shook his head. “Not really. The orcs even sided against me, but then, why wouldn’t they when I captured their king? They had no reason to defend me. Having me on the throne was a constant reminder of their failure.”

  She sighed. “Right.”

  He looked at her. “Anyone who was around when I was king should be able to tell you that Vesta’s overthrow was hostile, except that I suspect very few are willing. Which I understand. She puts fear into people. And promises great things. It’s a heady combination. Enough that the masses decide it’s easier to go along with her than fight.”

  “I’ve never heard anyone question what she’s done.”

  “Why would they? Those who oppose her have a way of disappearing. Or being so maligned that their own reputations are left shredded and their lives in ruins. Who would willingly bring that upon themselves and their family?”

  “No one. Very few, anyway.” She squinted at some point in the distance. “You had no chance, did you?”

  “Not much.” He took a breath. “None, actually.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He looked at her, mostly because it sounded like she genuinely meant it.

  She made a curious face. “Why are you looking at me with such a serious face?”

  “Because I think you mean that.”

  “I do.” She stole another berry from his hand, her fingers barely touching his palm, but that was enough to make him aware of her. “I know what it’s like to have things stacked against you and feel powerless. To be shown something wonderful only to have that thing snatched away.”

  There was sorrow in her eyes, but no self-pity. This woman was not only beautiful but remarkably strong. She was the kind of woman who should have been at his side. Not Vesta, may wood fleas infest her person. Theodora would have made an extraordinary queen. He nodded. “I know you do.”

  She answered him with a brief smile, then ate the berry she’d swiped. “I believe you.”

  “Good, because I really do listen when you talk about your past.”

  “No. I mean I believe that you didn’t betray the kingdom.”

  His mouth fell open. “You do?”

  She nodded, wiping a little juice from the corner of her mouth. “Until proven otherwise. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe you’re laughing at me on the inside, but you don’t seem like the kind of man who’d do the terrible things Vesta claims you did.”

  He closed his mouth and made himself swallow. “Thank you.”

  It was impossible not to be shocked. And happy. But then, Theodora was a smart woman. And obviously a keen judge of character. She deserved better than cleaning his bookshelves for a year. Along with a sudden rush of affection for her, a new idea came to him.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  She nodded. “Anything. Although I reserve the right not to answer.”

  “Fair enough.” He held out the last berry. She shook her head, so he ate it. “What’s it like downstairs?”

  She frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Is it comfortable? Your room? The living quarters for the staff? How is it all?”

  “It’s fine.”

  “So it’s not comfortable.”

  She laughed softly. “My room is exactly what I expected. It’s perfectly adequate for my needs. The gathering room where we eat is definitely big enough. Really, I haven’t spent much time down there. This is only my second day here. Mrs. Baton has kept me plenty busy.”

  “Doing things that don’t really need doing, I’d imagine.”

  Theodora bobbed her head back and forth. “You’re not wrong. I think. I don’t really know what it takes to maintain a house of this size and grandeur. Maybe the linen closet really did need to be reorganized, even if it looked perfectly in order. Who am I to say?”

  He’d never seen the linen closet. “When you say your room is adequate, what do you mean?”

  “I mean it has a bed, a chair, a dresser… What else do I need?”

  He sat up a little straighter. “What about a lamp? A window? A television?”

  “It has the first two. There’s a television in the gathering room, but I haven’t watched it. Not sure about the others.”

  “How are the others?” He had a feeling he knew the answer to this question already.

  “Mrs. Applestock and Lolly are wonderful. They’re exactly as you’d think they’d be. And as they appear to be.” She let out a little snort. “So are Elswood and Mrs. Baton, for that matter, but I don’t want to speak ill of anyone.”

  “Which means you have ill to say. You just don’t want to say it.”

  She smiled but gave him no other response.

  He could answer for her. “They’re both very stern, serious people. I know that. But are they like that all the time?”

  “So far.” She shrugged. “I really don’t see much of them, Elswood especially. Mrs. Baton gives me my orders in the morning, we all eat breakfast together, then everyone goes their way.” She paused like she was thinking. “Henry’s very nice. And I met Fenwick this morning at breakfast. He seems nice, also.”

  “They are both kind, considerate men. Hard workers.” He sighed. “As for Hyacinth and Elswood, perhaps I should speak to them—”

  “No.” She stiffened suddenly. “That is, please don’t. I don’t think it would be well received. Or make any difference, except that they might assume I was the root of it.”

  “And that would make things harder for you.”

  She nodded. “Maybe we should go look for that cat.”

  Perhaps it was her declaration that she believed in his innocence, perhaps it was his attraction to her, perhaps it was something else entirely, but he was feeling a sudden urge to give her some happiness like she’d just given him. Whatever the reason, the desire to do something for her just would not be squelched. “Theodora, we’re not going to find the cat.”

  “No, Sire, we most likely are not.”

  “Let’s not spend our time doing that, then.”

  “All right.” She got up. “I should get back to the library. Thank you for the berries.”

  “Please, sit down.”

  She hesitated for a moment, then sat. “As you wish.”

  “The rules of the indenture are broad. In fact, the only real stipulation is that you are to spend a year of your life in service to me. And service is a broad term.”

  She nodded. “That’s how I understand it.”

  “This house doesn’t need another member of the housekeeping staff. Or kitchen staff. Or any staff, for that matter. I don’t need it.”

  She paled a little. “I promise, I am doing everything Mrs. Baton tells me to—”

  “Forget Mrs. Baton.” He took a deep breath. It was hard for him to say the next words, but the small amounts of time he’d already spent with Theodora had made his need abundantly clear. “I would like you to serve your year as my companion.”

  Hard blinking answered him. Then a stern glare and a deep frown. “I am not that kind of woman, Your Lordship.”

  “I don’t mean that kind of companionship.” Although the thought of her in his bed was not unpleasant. At all. But he was going to have to explain himself more plainly. In language that pinpointed just how pathetic he was. “I mean as my friend. As company. As an actual companion.” He stared out at the pavilion.

  “Oh.” She was quiet for a while, but he didn’t want to look at her in case she was staring at him in revulsion for being so pitiful. “I could do that.”

  That turned his head. “You could?”

  She nodded. “What kind of things would you want to do?”

  “Well, for one thing, we could have mea
ls together. I have dined alone for years, and I am sick to death of it. We could take strolls in the garden. Maybe one night a week we could watch a movie. Did you know there’s a theater room in this place?”

  “I didn’t know. I suppose eventually I’d be sent to clean it, though. All right. I can do those things, although I might be tired from the day’s work sometimes.”

  He shook his head. “There would be no day’s work. All of that would cease.”

  “Oh? Well, that would free up my time considerably.” A little half smile bent her mouth. “What else would you like to do?”

  He would like for her to be at his side all day. Not to do anything, but just to have the company. Asking for that might sound odder than what he’d already requested, though. He thought hard. “You could accompany me to the mine from now on.”

  “I could do that.”

  Something was going on in her head. He could see it behind her eyes. Some sort of machinations. He wouldn’t blame her for wanting something out of this.

  He decided to launch a preemptive strike. “In exchange, I’ll provide you with something you want. Within reason.”

  Her brows went a centimeter higher. “I would like access to your library. To the books there.”

  “You like to read?”

  “I love to read.”

  “Then that will be part of our day. We’ll spend our afternoons there. Doing just that.”

  Her lips parted, and a second later, a brilliant smile lit her face. “That would be wonderful.”

  He nodded. “It would be.” He loved to read, but being alone in that enormous space sometimes felt worse than being alone anywhere else. He had no one to share all those stories with, no one to talk to about them.

  But that was a small request on her part, and he wanted to do more than that for her. “What if I arranged for one of the master lapidaries in town to give you lessons? There’s a guild, you know. You said you weren’t able to finish your studies after your mother passed. Is that something you’d still be interested in?”

  Her hand went to her mouth, then down to her necklace. She shook her head, and when she spoke, she seemed a little breathless. “I can’t believe—I absolutely would be. And that’s very generous of you, but I am here to pay a debt, not leave you with one.”