Missing Lily

by Annette K. Larsen

  “Don’t insult me, Raina,” I said evenly and she finally looked up.

  She held my eyes for a moment, then dropped her gaze, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, Lylin. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

  I left, knowing that if I said anything else, our conversation would deteriorate into something unpleasant. I descended the stairs, watching my parents as they spoke with Lord Wisen in the entryway. My father rested a hand on his shoulder as they walked outside. I felt a little guilty, knowing that my father had the best of intentions. And knowing that if Rhys hadn’t been right in front of my face, things might have turned out very differently.

  I stepped outside and Gerrick turned toward me, his face twitching as he fought to keep a pleasant expression in place. I gave him a genuine smile, having truly appreciated his companionship over the past several days.

  “Thank you all so much for your hospitality. I am honored to be welcomed so graciously into your home.”

  My father stepped forward. “I’m sure we’ll see more of you from now on.”

  “Yes,” my mother spoke up. “Thank you so much for coming. It really has been a pleasure.”

  “I am honored, Your Majesty,” he replied with a hand to his heart and a deep bow. Then he turned to me. “And thank you for your company and your honesty, Princess.”

  I curtsied. “Thank you, Lord Wisen. I wish you well.”

  He bowed once more before climbing into his carriage and driving away.

  “Well,” my father said from behind me. “That’s the end of that.”

  I didn’t turn to look at him but sensed it when he went inside. Having no wish to follow, I turned toward the stables instead. It was a habit I had developed since Rhys had arrived. I went there both to escape and in hopes of running into Rhys. It was pathetic, but that didn’t stop me.

  I nodded to Weston, who worked in a paddock with a new filly, but instead of going inside the stables, I went through the copse of trees that stood between the stables and the pasture where they let the horses run.

  The short walk allowed me to clear my head. I walked lazily through the trees and smiled when I came to the pasture and saw Sunshine frolicking with two other mares. I leaned my shoulder against a tree and just watched. I was so caught up in the play of the horses that I didn't notice Rhys approaching until he was right behind me.

  “Highness.”

  I flinched, jerking away from him, and put a hand to my startled heart. “You surprised me.” I took a few steps away, making sure there was ample room between us.

  “I apologize. You seemed to be daydreaming.”

  “I suppose.” I looked back at the horses in an attempt to distract myself from his nearness.

  “Whatever happened to your honored guest?”

  My brow furrowed. “Who?”

  “Wisen.” His voice grated.

  “Oh.” I shrugged lightly. “He was never an honored guest, and his visit had come to an end.”

  “It ended quite abruptly.”

  “Yes,” I agreed, wondering what he was getting at.

  “Not the successful match your father had hoped?”

  I drew back, wondering at his assumption as well as his tone of voice. “Why does everyone assume they know my father’s mind?”

  “I don’t know about everyone else, but I heard your father when he told you Wisen was meant for you.”

  My eyes narrowed. “I very clearly recall you asking me about the expected guest and acting as though you knew nothing about it.”

  “My overhearing was accidental. I wanted to give you the choice of confiding in me or not.”

  My temper went missing at this point. “You had already heard, what difference did it make?”

  He remained calm, though I could see it took effort. “I believe it makes a great difference.”

  “You wanted to see just how much you could get me to confess of my own free will?”

  “You know that’s not true.” His voice rose slightly.

  “And why do you need me to confide in you anyway? Doesn’t Lorraina tell you enough of her secrets?”

  He didn’t respond right away, and I had to fight to keep my composure. I didn’t want to talk about Raina, but it was the only thing that would make me focus on the reality of the situation.

  When he did speak, he had regained his quiet calm. “If Lorraina has any secrets, she has not felt the need to entrust them to me.”

  “Should I feel sorry about that?” My tone was biting.

  His breathing became strained and when he answered, it was with real feeling as regret etched his face. “I would never presume to dictate how you feel.”

  His emotion caught me off guard and I struggled to find footing in our argument, anything to keep me from the real emotions I longed to confess. “And since when do you eavesdrop? That seems like a pastime more suited to your brother.”

  His nostrils flared. “You’re comparing me to my brother now?”

  “I’m making an observation,” was my stubborn reply.

  “Well, you’re right. My brother would love the opportunity to eavesdrop in these halls. I would advise that if he ever finds himself here, you be more careful of what you say.”

  There was a ringing silence in the wake of his pronouncement as his meaning became clear. “I beg your pardon?” I was on the verge of yelling, truly angry now as I bit down on each word. “It sounds—very much—as though you are threatening me on behalf of your brother. Please tell me that I have misunderstood.”

  “No, I didn’t—” He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath in before continuing in a much more sober voice. “Yes. You have misunderstood, and I apologize.” He looked down, the fight having left him. “My choice of words was inappropriate.” He looked me in the eye, an entreating hand reaching out to me. “Please allow me to explain.”

  I breathed deliberately through my nose and nodded once.

  “Firstly, I did not intend to eavesdrop. I was coming in to breakfast and overheard you and your father speaking. I thought it best to wait until you had finished before I entered, but when it started to escalate into an argument, I made the decision to enter. Whether that was right or not—I do not know.” He paused, giving me a chance to absorb his words before continuing. “As for Tobias. I was offended that you would compare me to him, but that was no excuse. I’ve been meaning to speak with you about him and when his name was brought up, I spoke without thinking.”

  I kept my mouth tightly shut, determined to let him explain himself to his satisfaction.

  “After you told me of the letter you had seen, I wrote to my steward, giving him explicit instruction on where to find the letter and asking him to send it on to me. It arrived just this morning.”

  He had my full attention.

  “The letter,” he began as he pulled the missive from his coat, “is from none other than my own Uncle Myren.”

  My eyebrows rose as I remembered the name.

  “He was careful to be vague in his writing, but it seems to boil down to the fact that my brother has developed feelings for a lady.” He held out the letter and I took it.

  Dear Nephew,

  I understand your pain. As men unused to weakness, it’s difficult for us to accustom ourselves to the vulnerability that comes with falling for the charms of a young lady. I’m sure you find yourself disoriented, especially since the lady’s station is above your own, leaving you with few options.

  I understand your frustration and if I were in your position, I would hold the same animosity that you do for the royal family. Their tight-fisted rule keeps us from many pursuits. But I cannot help you. I will not help you, and you should abandon these foolish musings this instant. What you suggest is not only dangerous and foolhardy, but treasonous as well. You will not succeed in your objective. You will only hurt those you love and get yourself thrown in prison. Bury your anger and move on with your life. That is your only course.

  If this young lady has refused your offer beca
use of your lack of title, then what in the world would make you believe that forcing her into a marriage would change her mind? She would be far more likely to resent you for abducting her than to appreciate your ingenuity in devising a solution.

  If you feel the need to continue in your pursuit of her, I suggest you speak to her. Use your charm and intelligence to change her mind. Do not, under any circumstances, do anything unlawful. You must squelch your rash tendencies and be the man I know you can be. I realize your brother has left you ill prepared to deal with the world at large, so you must trust my judgment in this matter.

  Be wise, dear boy.

  Your uncle, Myren.

  Now I was even more confused. “He planned to kidnap the woman he’s in love with?”

  “Apparently.”

  “And what does my family have to do with it?”

  “In reality? Very little. In Tobias’s mind? This young lady rejected him because he does not have a title, and the reason he had no title is because of the royal family and the men they choose to bestow titles on.”

  “That makes no sense.”

  He shrugged. “It’s Tobias.”

  I skimmed the letter again. “Your uncle doesn’t think much of you.”

  “You noticed that, did you?”

  His dry remark made me smile. “The way he writes, it’s like he thinks of Tobias as a lad.”

  Rhys leaned his shoulder into a tree. “Myren has always favored Tobias, and Tobias idolized him during his younger years. I think it’s Myren’s way of trying to maintain that relationship.”

  I blew out a breath, trying to take it all in. The entire situation was utterly foolish, but from what I knew of Tobias, it made a twisted kind of sense.

  “Well, I’m glad to know. That’s one less worry.”

  “What are your other worries?” His brows were drawn together, concern in his eyes.

  A sense of falling back in time left me still. I stared out at the setting sunlight slanting across the hazy air. Sunshine’s coat gleamed orange as she cantered across the far end of the pasture, her head held high. Rhys’s words were so similar to the ones I had spoken.

  “Didn’t we have this conversation once already?” I asked, still gazing at the golden scene before me.

  “Yes, but our roles were reversed. I complained to you about heavy responsibilities, never realizing how insignificant those worries must have sounded to someone in your position.”

  “Perhaps my position allowed for a greater degree of empathy.” I looked over at him, hoping he would believe in my sincerity—then, as well as now.

  “I never doubted your capacity for empathy.”

  I smiled despite the stinging of my eyes and looked away from the intensity of his gaze.

  “Tell me one of your worries,” he prodded quietly.

  His unreserved attention made my heart pound, and I blew out a quiet breath to calm myself. All of my most immediate worries centered around him, so I had to think of another.

  “I worry that my dismissal of Lord Wisen was unjust and unkind.”

  “Could your relationship with him have been a lasting one?”

  Could it? Perhaps if I had never met Rhys. But I had, so the answer had to be, “No. It would not have lasted.”

  “Then I believe your choice was just indeed.”

  I tried to think of something lighthearted or witty, but nothing came to mind, and as I stood there, feeling his eyes on me, heat started to claw its way up my neck. I pushed away from the tree. “If you’ll excuse me, Lord Fallon.”

  He bent his head in deference after a moment of hesitation, and I walked out to the fence to see if I could get Sunshine to come over. I was surprised when she answered my whistle, trotting over for some attention.

  When I turned back, Rhys was gone and I let out a sigh. I stroked Sunshine’s neck for only a few moments before heading back to the castle myself.

  When I drew close to the palace entrance, I saw that Rhys hadn’t gone inside, but stood on the steps, looking toward the gate. I turned to see what had caught his attention.

  “Willow!” I shouted as I recognized my horse being led across the drive by a guard. I ran to her, stroking her head and allowing her to take in my scent. She pushed her nose into my shoulder, begging for more attention. “Where have you been?” I whispered in her ear as she nickered and continued to push into me. “What happened to you?”

  She snorted in agitation and tossed her head toward a group of soldiers farther down the drive. A prisoner was held between them. I was confused until he took a sudden, menacing step toward me and was immediately brought to his knees by those holding him. I stumbled back, bumping into Nathaniel as he pulled me behind him before approaching the man. As I stared in mute horror, Willow stepped in front of me, blocking me with her shoulder. I fisted my hands into her mane, grateful for her presence as I leaned around her to see the prisoner glaring up at Nathaniel as the guards hauled him to his feet once more. My body started to tremble. This was the black clad horseman who had pursued me into the night.

  He snarled at Nathaniel then turned his ugly glare to me. His eyes held malicious fire. I tried to look away, but was held transfixed until I felt a comforting hand on the small of my back. Rhys stood by me, his cold glare fixed on the horseman until he was dragged away.

  Nathaniel hurried over to me. “Princess, are you alright?”

  “I’m fine.” My voice was distracted and weak.

  “We should take Willow back to the stables.”

  I nodded, staring after the prisoner. He looked back over his shoulder, his eyes raking over me from hair to slippers before the guards forced him to face forward. I snapped out of my stunned horror when Willow nudged my shoulder. I stroked her neck in an effort to soothe myself as much as her.

  “Shall I call a groom?” Nathaniel asked.

  I shook my head. “No, I’ll take her to the stables myself. She needs some extra care.”

  He bowed, and both he and Rhys walked a step behind me as I made my way to the stables, murmuring soothing words to Willow. I put her in her stall and looked her over myself, checking for any damage that might have been done during her time away from me. Satisfied, I took on the task of rubbing her down, allowing the steady stroking rhythm to calm my mind.

  I stayed with Willow for a long time. I was vaguely aware of Rhys and Nathaniel’s presence. They stood in the stable doorway, speaking quietly. As I combed Willow’s coat, over and over, the different possibilities of what she might have endured marched through my mind, making my chest overly tight. How had the horseman been apprehended? Who was he, and what did he want with me? Why had he kept Willow, when she was marked as a palace horse? Did he not know she would be recognized? And what of Nathaniel? The man’s aggression hadn’t been for me alone, but for Nathaniel as well. I couldn’t make sense of it.

  My musings were interrupted by the captain of the guard. Nathaniel gave him a sharp salute.

  “We need your assistance with the interrogation of the prisoner.” The captain was never one to mince words.

  “Of course,” Nathaniel answered.

  “Might I be present?” The words left my mouth the instant I thought them.

  All three men turned in surprise.

  “I don’t want you anywhere near that man,” Rhys objected.

  His concern was touching, but I kept my eyes on the captain, waiting for his opinion. He looked me over, then shrugged. “I don’t see any harm in the princess watching from the observation room.”

  “Observation room?” Rhys asked.

  “She will be able to see the interrogation, but the prisoner will not be able to see her.”

  Rhys considered for a moment then nodded. “Do you have any objection to my observing as well?”

  The captain shook his head and led the way out of the stable. Nathaniel and Rhys waited while I put away the brush I’d been using, then walked a step behind as I followed the captain.

  The observation room shared a w
all with the room where Nathaniel would be questioning the man, but the floor was several feet higher. There was a slit in the wall, covered by a grate that allowed us to see down into the interrogation room.

  I looked through the grate to see the man already seated at a rough wooden table. He was large, worn down and filthy, with dull eyes and heavy shackles on his wrists. He didn’t fidget or move at all. Only his eyes shifted when Nathaniel opened the door and entered.

  “Thought I might see you eventually.” The man’s voice rumbled from behind his beard.

  Nathaniel sat, calm and confident. “You recognize me?”

  His shackled hands clanked as he tapped a lazy finger against his temple. “Excellent mem’ry.”

  “Well then, let me introduce myself formally. My name is Nathaniel. And you are?”

  “Jon Barns.”

  “Mr. Barns, why don’t you use that excellent memory of yours to tell me your reasons for attacking a member of the royal family.”

  Jon gave a derisive snort. “Royal family. Always puttin’ on airs, thinkin’ their life be worth more than ours, thinkin’ the life o’ their child be worth more than the life of ours.”

  My brow furrowed as Nathaniel spoke. “I’m surprised you would risk the noose when you have children that depend on you.”

  “Didn’t say I had children.”

  “Pardon me. You made it sound as though the royal family had somehow devalued the life of your child.”

  His lip curled as he snarled, “Not mine. My brother’s.”

  Nathaniel held his gaze, unflinching. “Was your brother one of the men who met my sword?”

  “He were only trying to defend his own and you run ‘im through like he weren’t nothin’.”

  “What of the other man?”

  He shrugged. “Paid him a bit. Never knew his name.”

  “You ambushed the princess. Why?”

  “I’m loyal to me and mine, and my brother asked it of me.”

  “Why did you steal the princess’s horse?”

  Nathaniel’s abrupt change surprised me just as much as it surprised Jon Barnes. “I found that horse. Why not keep it?”