I'm Not Cinderella (The Princess Chronicles)

by Montgomery, Tarrah

  “I’ve been dreaming about that blush all day.” His eyes smiled.

  The orchestra resumed playing, and the crowd began to disperse to the sidelines. Having lost all control of my senses, I just stood there. Yep, that was me—the strange girl standing in the middle of the ballroom, drooling over the prince. Bonus points for popularity.

  Dennan looked at me, his eyebrows creased. “Are you okay?”

  Just peachy.

  “Don’t go anywhere. I have to dance the first dance with my mother. After that, you’re not leaving my side.” He gave my arm a gentle squeeze and then turned to assist the queen, who was stepping down from the stage.

  Finally able to move my legs, I quickly walked back to one of the far walls and pushed myself behind a group of chatty girls. This was not a time to be seen but a time to blend.

  I was not alone for long. Rose approached me with wide eyes.

  “What just happened?” she asked.

  I didn’t answer.

  Soon, I was swarmed by girls asking me where and how I’d met the prince. I wasn’t prepared to answer their questions. It worked out nicely, since they all excitedly guessed the answers and chatted with each other about what they thought had happened.

  Henry’s voice interrupted the voices of the mob of girls surrounding me. “Dance with me,” he commanded.

  For the first time since I’d met him, I appreciated his bossiness. “Thank you, Sir Henry,” I replied pleasantly.

  A genuine smile spread across his chubby cheeks. I threaded my hand into the crook of his arm and followed him onto the dance floor, where only a handful of brave couples had joined the queen and her son in the opening dance of the evening. I assumed the dance position and tried to smile warmly as Henry led me in a shaky waltz.

  What am I doing here? Why didn’t I just stay at the manor? I was no better than any of the other flamboyant girls in the room who were waiting for an opportunity to fall in love with the prince. In all honesty, I don’t think I really could have left this fantasy world without seeing Prince Charming. Why had my desire to meet him overpowered my longing to find a way home?

  I looked toward the castle doors. Maybe if I left now, things would return to normal. It seemed like I always ran away when things got hard in life. Just like my dad did. Wow, did I just have a major emotional breakthrough? I’ll have to think about that later.

  I formulated an escape route. Once the song ended, rather than allowing Henry to escort me back to the sidelines, I would turn and make a beeline for the doors.

  When the orchestra signaled the end of the song, I turned and began to walk hastily toward the doors. I felt a hand grasp my arm and whipped around, expecting Henry. I found Dennan instead.

  “Where are you going?” he demanded.

  I clenched my jaw. “I was dancing with my date.”

  “Not anymore.” As he kept hold of my arm, I felt him tremble. “I don’t feel like sharing you.”

  He slid his arm around my waist, then led me through the crowd and out through the nearest doors toward the balcony where we could be alone.

  “Why are you running away?” he asked once we were outside.

  There was no use in lying about it. “You’re the prince.”

  “Are you disappointed?” There was a touch of sadness in his voice.

  “No, I’m not disappointed.” In fact, learning that Dennan was Prince Charming was the icing on the sweetest cake of my fantasy. It just wasn’t meant to be my cake. I sighed. “Why did you say your name was Dennan?”

  “My name is Dennan—Patrick Dennan Channing,” he answered. “I was named after my parents—Danielle and Nathaniel. I use Patrick when I am merely known as the prince.”

  “What do you mean when you are known as the prince?”

  “Everything I told you before about my frustration with etiquette and protocol is true,” he explained. “I loathe how most people only think of me as the prince. To my friends and family, I am Dennan.”

  “You are the prince of Fenmore Falls. No matter how far you run away from it, you will always be the prince.”

  “I do not want to be the prince,” he confided.

  I looked up into his unsettled face. “What do you mean?”

  He did not answer, which only made me more frustrated. My fragile emotions were finally breaking through, and I could feel them pressing behind my eyes. I was angry. I was angry because he lied, but also because I didn’t foresee it.

  I couldn’t hide the tears that trickled down my cheeks. Dennan raised his hand to stroke my cheek, but I pushed his hand away.

  “Look at all the possibilities you have as prince to inspire and help your people.” I focused on his issue instead of mine. “Have you ever heard the phrase ‘I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give’? I mean, aren’t we all beggars? Don’t we all depend on God for everything we have? You must be diligent in your responsibility to help others.”

  Dennan placed his hand over my mouth to quiet my speech, which was more like a sermon. “Yes, you’re right. That’s why I dress as Black Rider, to help those I couldn’t help as the prince.”

  I calmed a little, realizing my nervousness had caused me to lecture the prince of Fenmore Falls. Sometimes I didn’t know who controlled my mouth. My stupid mouth!

  Dennan moved his hand to my neck and caressed it tenderly. He tilted my chin to the side and leaned so his mouth was next to my ear. “It’s a nice change to have you the one wearing a mask.” Goosebumps rippled up my neck as his breath drifted across my skin.

  Just then, my memories grasped onto something that had bothered me since the first time I met him. I took a step back to look at him. “Your injury on your leg is from the pirates, isn’t it?”

  Now it all made sense. Gabriella had told me the prince’s ship had been captured and rummaged by pirates. Dennan had told me the injury on his thigh was an old wound, but it always seemed to bother him—which meant it was serious.

  “Were you acting as Black Rider when the pirates attacked?” I asked.

  “Shh.” Again, he covered my mouth with his hand, then looked over his shoulder as if to see if anyone heard.

  “What happened?” I mumbled through his fingers.

  “You have to keep quiet.” He lowered his hand. “Nobody knows I’m Black Rider.”

  “Not even your parents?”

  “They know. Like I told you before, they object and forbid my expeditions.”

  “Did one of the pirates hurt your leg?”

  He nodded. “Captain John of the pirate ship Passed Angel.”

  “How did you become Black Rider?”

  With a bright smile, he began. “I was almost sixteen when I first discovered the cave I showed you last night. I used it whenever I wanted to run away from my royal responsibilities. Soon, my escape evolved into something greater. I was tired of sitting and waiting. I didn’t want to be the prince, so I made myself into what I felt was the opposite—the bold, heroic Black Rider.” Dennan paused and asked abruptly, “Are you sure you want to hear all of this?”

  “Yes, yes,” I said. “I want to know everything.”

  “I’ve never told anyone before.”

  I smiled, honored that I would be trusted with his secret.

  His story continued. “I gathered some men to help me, and we’ve been upholding the law ever since. Three months ago there was word of a conspiracy against the kingdom. Our sources led us to investigate vessels in the shipping path near Fenmore Falls for spies.

  “As far as anyone knew, including my parents, the purpose of my sea voyages was to form alliances with neighboring kingdoms. In truth, I was inspecting ships and questioning sources who might have knowledge of who was traitorous to the kingdom.

  “When we were narrowing in
on one of our suspects, our ship was captured by pirates. I would’ve lost my life if my first mate hadn’t rescued me from the ruthless Captain John.”

  “What happened?” I asked breathlessly.

  “We were caught unsuspected, and Captain John’s crew boarded our ship. He seized on me in the lower deck of the ship. He threatened my life in trade for possession of the ship. I refused, and he stabbed me with his sword.”

  Dennan rubbed his leg. “The sword of my first mate, Michael, pierced Captain John’s heart. I owe Michael my life.”

  Suddenly, I felt remorse for telling Dennan that if he were the prince, he should take advantage of the opportunity to help his people. He was doing just that. He was the Robin Hood of his time.

  I brushed my fingertips over the scar above his eye. “How long ago did you get this?”

  Dennan closed his eyes at my touch. “Two years ago when I was eighteen, I was helping a woman who was being attacked. A man struck me from behind. I didn’t feel the pain from the knife until I was nearly blinded by the blood pouring into my eye.”

  I lowered my hand. “You are the most amazing man I’ve ever met.”

  Dennan slowly opened his eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was the prince.”

  “I understand why you didn’t. You didn’t want me to tell anyone who you were.”

  He leaned in close. “It worked to my advantage that you weren’t from here and didn’t recognize me.”

  I stared at his mouth. “Yes, that worked out nicely.”

  “How do you view me now, Miss Brinlee? Does the highwayman you met at the pond win your heart, or does the prince?”

  “You’ve already won my heart, no matter who you are.”

  He moved even nearer, until his lips hovered above mine.

  Overwhelmed that I was about to be kissed by the prince, I asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “More than you know.”

  His mouth captured mine in a hungry kiss. I let my fingers slide to the back of his neck and tangle themselves in his hair.

  I’m kissing Prince Charming! I thought. Then, my brain cruelly reminded me, But you’re not Cinderella.

  I turned my face away from Dennan’s. “Stop.”

  “Why?” He gently turned me back to him and kissed me soundly on the lips.

  “I’m not Cinderella.” I tried to push him away.

  He kissed me again.

  Sigh. “The world will hate me,” I mumbled against his mouth.

  He chuckled. “Then, Black Rider will fight the world.”

  I couldn’t help but smile.

  He smiled back. “I love you, Brinlee.”

  I froze. Really? Did I hear him right?

  “Why do you love me?” I asked. “Is it the curious girl from the pond that you fell in love with? Or is it the girl who’s trying so hard to fit into this elegant world?”

  “I love everything about you.” He brushed a stray curl from the side of my cheek, and I almost swooned in the magic of the moment. “I love that you’re different. I love the way you make me smile. I love your passion for life.”

  This cannot be happening.

  “I’m having a bit of a post-modern moment right now,” I said. “I’m in a dream, and when I wake up everything is going to disappear.”

  “You’ve been running through my dreams all day,” he joked, using another one of our pick-up lines.

  “There is so much about me that you don’t know,” I said. Like the fact that I’m not from this world, for one. How do you tell someone you’re from a different world, a different time?

  “I know everything I need to know.”

  My heart began to break, and I couldn’t look into his eyes. With the absence of my father, and every other failed relationship in my life, I had stopped keeping track of how many times I’d had my heart broken. And now Dennan had come out of nowhere and stolen it. I should have known better than to fall in love so fast . . . especially with a prince. I had to tell him the truth, no matter how strange it sounded. It was going to come out sooner or later.

  “You are supposed to fall in love with Gabriella—not me,” I said. “Your happy ending has already been designed.”

  “Who’s Gabriella? The only girl I have been arranged to marry is Camilla, King Edwin’s daughter, but that was before I met you.”

  I felt a twinge of jealousy. “Was she the beautiful blond girl I saw standing near the platform?”

  “Yes. Her family has been friends of mine for as long as I can remember. Her father and mine always agreed that we’d marry if circumstances permitted.”

  “She’s perfect.” Like a beautiful Barbie doll.

  Dennan put his finger under my chin to lift my face to his. “I’ve never loved Camilla. I love you.”

  My cheeks went red. “Dennan, this will never work.”

  “It’s because I’m the prince, isn’t it?” He frowned.

  “No. Well, I don’t know.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “It’s complicated.”

  “I was afraid to tell you. I didn’t want you to see me any different than before.” He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair.

  “It doesn’t change how I feel about you.” I grabbed his arm so he wouldn’t step farther away. “I’m just a little confused right now.”

  He put his hands on my waist and pulled me against his chest. There wasn’t an inch of space between us. “Let me explain something,” he said. “I love you, and there is nothing confusing about that.”

  I wanted to remember everything about him—the feel of his chest under my palms, the way he smelled, the sound of his voice, his handsome face, and the taste of his kiss. All of my senses would have an imprint of him. Every fiber of my being would remember his effect on me.

  “I can’t resist you anymore.” He licked his lips. “If you deny me one of your kisses, I’ll go mad.”

  “Forgive me.”

  “Never,” he grumbled and gave me a quick kiss. He stopped and held up two fingers. “Two things. First, you will dance with me the rest of the night, because I cannot endure seeing you in the arms of another man.”

  “Sir Henry is my date,” I reminded him.

  “He will have to find another date.” Dennan tapped my nose with his finger. “I asked you first when I made you promise to go to the ball if I found you a dress. Second—” he raised his two fingers “—I want you to meet my parents.”

  And say what? Hi, Your Royal Highnesses, my name is Brinlee. I came here through a magic door from Idaho, and I’m in love with your son, the prince of Fenmore Falls.

  Yikes!

  Chapter 22

  Cinderella

  Germany, 1812

  The prince saw the carriage stop before the gate, and thought that a foreign princess was arriving. He himself walked down the steps, helped Cinderella out, and escorted her into the hall. Many thousand lights shone upon her, and she was so beautiful that everyone there was amazed. The sisters stood there, angry that someone was more beautiful than they were, but they had no idea that it was Cinderella, who they thought was lying at home in the ashes. The prince danced with Cinderella and paid her every royal honor. He thought to himself, “I am supposed to choose myself a bride. I will have no one but her.”

  However long she had suffered in ashes and sorrow, Cinderella was now living in splendor and joy. As midnight approached, before the clock struck twelve, she stood up, bowed, and said that she had to go, in spite of the prince’s requests for her to stay. The prince escorted her out. Her carriage stood there waiting for her. And she rode away just as splendidly as she had come.

  Meeting the King and Queen

  The king and queen were charming and kind. King Nathaniel was so much like his son, both in rugged, han
dsome looks and the way he acted as if he couldn’t wait until he was free from his responsibilities at the castle. The king didn’t have the imposing attitude of a typical royal—in fact, he was reserved and humble. He leaned against a pillar on the platform, and I watched him pull at the neck of his shirt like he was uncomfortable in the formal attire. With his gentle manners and cowboy grin, he looked like the kind of man who would’ve preferred riding his horse to attending a ball.

  The queen, a stunning beauty, exuded her regality and majestic lineage. Though not arrogant, she stood tall and confident.

  “She’s beautiful, Dennan,” she said as soon as he made the introductions.

  “Yes, she is.” His hand was at my back, giving me some much-needed confidence.

  “You did good, Son.” The king slapped Dennan on the back.

  The queen took my hand as she asked, “Where are you from, my dear?”

  I was touched by her kindness. “I’m staying with some friends at Sherwood Manor.” Of course, I would only tell them what they needed to know—or what was easy to explain.

  “Mom, Dad, you can talk to Brinlee later,” Dennan said as he began to nudge me away. “At the moment, I intend to dance with her and own every bit of her attention.”

  While we walked away, I said, mostly to myself, “That wasn’t so bad.”

  “My parents already love you.” Dennan kept his hand at my back, and I thrilled at the jealous looks of the other girls who watched us walk out onto the dance floor.

  “How could they not love you?” He tipped his head close to my ear. “They see what I see.”

  Somehow, I restrained myself from begging him to keep me in this kingdom forever.

  “I think I preferred our dance from last week when we were alone.” He held me in the dance position, but a little closer than the norm.