“The servants were all on tenterhooks the day after we arrived, wondering if the whole thing was going to be cancelled.” Mathilde began to gather up their breakfast dishes as she talked. “Konrad had a private interview with the Head Magistrate and no one seemed sure what the outcome would be. It was pretty clear even then that everyone wanted it to go ahead, though. People are nervous to come out and say it, but none of them want to be ruled by Konrad.”
“I can understand why,” said Ava. “He was cruel even when we were children.”
“It seems obvious that Lord Iver supports you, even if he hasn’t said so publicly.” Hans nodded his thanks to Mathilde as she took his plate. “He knows about the precedent but he hasn’t let on to anyone. If anybody got even a hint of Princess Clotilde, then word about the champions would be all over town.”
“Yes.” Ava began absentmindedly pleating her skirt with her fingers. “His support and Lord Adelmar’s are significant. Of course, Konrad’s no fool. He’ll be able to see which way the wind is blowing as easily as we can. And it will only make him more vicious and desperate to win.”
She eyed Hans a little uncertainly as she said it but he met her gaze with confidence.
“I’m not worried,” he said. “Konrad and I are the same age so he often trained with my group when I was a trainee guard. He’s good but not as good as he thinks he is. It was well known among the trainees that it was a bad idea to defeat the prince. Those few of us who were capable of doing so, learned how to lose with subtlety.”
Evelyn gave a snort of disgust.
“Typical royal entitlement,” she muttered, reminding Ava that, unlike Sarah, Evelyn hadn’t completely forgiven her for her behaviour during the attack on the caravan.
“Maybe.” Hans shrugged. “Dealing with Konrad was certainly one of the downsides of training with the Royal Guard. Of course, there were advantages as well. We didn’t have to waste hours in the saddle every week which left more time for training.”
Evelyn conceded the point with some grace and Ava got the impression that the superiority of caravan guards versus royal guards was a topic they had discussed before. She forced her mind back to the problem at hand. For some reason the thought of Hans training was quite a distraction.
“With Lord Adelmar’s information, it makes most sense for Hans to act as champion in the strength and resilience trials,” she said. “Which leaves intelligence, strategic thinking and compassion for me.”
“Actually,” said Aldric, “I wanted to talk to you about that. Princess Alyssa specifically said that you’re allowed to make use of more than one champion. And Lord Adelmar has tipped us off that the compassion trial is likely to have some connection with hospitals or at least public health. As you may remember, before I was an attaché, I was a doctor. I think it makes most sense for me to complete the compassion trial.”
There was a moment of shocked silence.
“But Aldric, I can’t ask that of you!” said Ava finally. “You only came as an international witness and you’ve already done far more than that. There’s no guarantee the trial won’t involve some risk.”
“I know that, of course,” he said. “But the chances of the compassion trial involving physical danger seem very small. Mathilde and I have discussed it and we think it’s for the best. Plus, my monarchs sent very clear instructions to the ambassador. They have thrown their full support behind you and expect me, as their representative, to offer any assistance I can. The rest of the kingdoms are well aware of what they’ll face if Konrad becomes king."
“If you’re sure your monarchs would approve of your involvement, I don’t think I can refuse,” said Ava. “It’s the trial I’ve been feeling most concerned about. I have no medical training or experience whatsoever. Of course, neither does Konrad so if you complete the trial as my champion, we’ll have a significant advantage.”
“If Lord Adelmar’s information is correct, I feel fairly confident of success in the compassion trial.” Aldric gave a small smile.
“My intention is to bring you all into the Hall of Magistrates with me as my team,” said Ava. “It’s the only way I can guarantee you’ll be able to observe the whole thing. But I have no way of knowing how long it will last and once you’ve come in with me, none of us will be able to leave. Not unless I forfeit the Trials altogether which is naturally not an option. So if any of you would prefer not to come…”
There was a moment of silence as everyone looked around to see if anyone else was going to speak up. When no one did, Hans spoke for them all.
“We’re coming with you. We haven’t come this far to pull out now.”
There was a general nodding of heads and murmur of agreement.
“Thank you,” said Ava. “I would never have made it this far without you all and if I succeed tomorrow it will be thanks to you. My victory will by your victory and I swear that if I become queen, I won’t let you down. I will be the ruler the High King requires – if it takes my whole life, I will learn how to love with the sincerity that is needed to see Rangmere prosper.” Her eyes were shining with fervour and she felt buoyed by their support.
“We do not doubt you, Princess,” said Aldric with equal gravity. “If it is in our power to put you on the throne, we will do it.”
It was hard to return to the minutiae of their planning after exchanging such solemn oaths but Ava was determined not to leave anything to chance. All the known and suspected possibilities for each trial were discussed and examined and a strategy was agreed on. Ava had half wondered if they would be finished by lunchtime but somehow they were still talking when the evening meal was delivered.
“Enough!” said Ava, when they had eaten. “We could continue all night with endless suppositions. I don’t think there’s any more to be gained from discussion. It’s far more important that we all get a good night’s sleep. Especially you, Aldric and Hans.”
No one protested this pronouncement and everyone began to say their good nights.
“The eyes of the Four Kingdoms will be on us tomorrow,” said Sarah, once they had left Aldric and Mathilde’s suite, “and I have no idea what to wear.”
“Oh for goodness sake, Sarah.” Evelyn gave an exaggerated eye roll. “No one will be looking at what you’re wearing!”
“They might be!” Sarah said. “I’m here as an official observer on behalf of the travelling merchants, after all. As merchants, we’re known to have excellent taste. I wouldn’t want to let anyone down.” She attempted to look demure but failed to hide the mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
Ava expected Evelyn to protest further but instead the taller girl just laughed.
“You wouldn’t be the cousin I know if you didn’t find some way to turn a serious occasion like this into a festival. Go on then, I’ll come and help you choose what to wear.” Turning to Ava she shrugged her shoulders. “There’s no point resisting, she always wears you down in the end.”
Ava smiled. “If you can’t find something to wear, Sarah, you can always come and raid my wardrobe again.”
“Don’t tempt me!” said Sarah. “If I’m going to represent the merchants, though, I should do it in something of our own.”
“You don’t mind if I go with her, Ava, do you?” asked Evelyn. “I’ll be along shortly.”
“No, of course not,” said Ava. “Take as long as you want.”
The two cousins headed for Sarah’s door while Sarah began to list the top contenders amongst her dresses. Ava watched them fondly as they disappeared into the room. There was no doubt her life had been more entertaining since they had come into it.
Before she reached her own room, a guard came hurrying down the corridor. He bowed to Ava but his focus was on Hans.
“Captain, a word?” he asked.
Hans nodded but gestured for the man to wait. Opening the door to Ava’s room, he checked that it was empty. Then he waved her inside before turning back to the man.
Ava walked inside, her good mood soured by th
e sight of the guard. What did he want with Hans? She recognised the man as one of Hans’ old troop. Did he have them all on the lookout for trouble? Was Konrad plotting some sort of attack on her after all?
She could understand why he might be tempted. Almost idly, she wondered what her father would do in her place. She considered the Trials. There was plenty of danger lurking there.
Then she considered her own assets. Aldric was trained as a spy. He knew how to enter a room unseen and he had sworn to do everything in his power to put her on the throne. How hard would it be for him to sneak into Konrad’s room and kill him while he slept? All her problems would be over instantly and none of them would have to risk their lives at the Trials. It would be a neat solution and after what had happened with their father, she doubted if anyone would raise much of a fuss.
Plus, said a voice in her mind that sounded uncannily like her father’s, if he gets caught, you can always put the blame on Northhelm.
Even as she was thinking it, her gaze fell on her mirror. She staggered back in shock. Fur covered her skin and claws erupted from her fingers.
She stared down at her hands. There was nothing but smooth, pink skin and soft, rounded fingernails. Relief!
What had she been thinking? She covered her face with her graceful, human hands and cried. How easily she had slipped back into her old mode of thinking. How quickly she had considered sacrificing a friend!
Hans strode into the room and paused. A second later he hurried towards her but stopped several steps away.
“Ava! What is it?”
She hated the care and concern in his voice. She didn’t deserve it.
“I’m scared.” She didn’t look up from her hands.
“Don’t be. We will win. I won’t let your brother hurt you.”
“Not of Konrad.” Ava finally looked into his face. “Of myself. Of being swallowed up again by the wolf and losing myself. You wouldn’t believe the horrible thoughts I have sometimes.” She couldn’t bring herself to admit to Hans what she had been thinking. It was hard enough just hinting at it.
Hans shook his head. “That isn’t going to happen. You’re stronger than that and you’re changed now. It doesn’t matter what you think, it matters that you reject those thoughts when they come. You choose not to act on them. Every time it will get easier until one day the thoughts won’t come at all.”
Ava looked at him, desperate for his words to be true.
“And every day until then,” he whispered, “I will be here. Helping you to make the right choice.”
Ava was suddenly aware that they were alone in the room together. Somehow, with just the two of them, the large room felt more full than the guest suite had with six of them inside. Hans’ presence filled the space and Ava was unavoidably aware of every small movement he made. He took a step towards her and before she could control it, a flush rose in her cheeks.
She looked down, trying to hide it.
“Thank you,” she said. “For all your support. And for being willing to be my champion. I can see now that you’re already my champion; that you have been for the last five years. I have no doubt that I would be dead right now, if it wasn’t for you.”
As she said the words, she realised how true they were. And she also realised something else. Tomorrow he would fight for her and he might be injured or even killed. The thought was like a physical pain. She had been fighting her attraction to him for weeks but it had turned out to be as irresistible as breathing.
Part of her mind still knew all the reasons they couldn’t be together. That she was a princess who hoped to become a queen while he was a guard. And worst of all, that he loved her because of a lie. But in that moment all she could think about was the Trials tomorrow.
Her heart beat sped up and her breathing hitched. She couldn’t bear the thought of harm coming to him because of her. And she couldn’t bear the thought of letting him go out to fight without knowing how she felt.
She looked back up at him and something of her emotions must have shown in her face. His breath caught and he stepped forward so he was standing right in front of her. She mirrored his movement, bringing them close enough to touch.
She met his eyes and saw his love blazing in them, the warmth that was always there in the background leaping readily into full flame.
“Ava,” he said, his voice a little ragged, and she had never been so enchanted by the sound of her own name. She took another, impossibly small, step towards him so that if he reached out his arms, she would already be enclosed within them.
“Yes?” she said, finding her voice.
“I told you once that I would never do this again but…” He paused to take a shuddering breath. “If you keep looking at me like that, I don’t know if I’ll be able to resist.”
“Then don’t,” she said and it was all the invitation he needed.
His arms wrapped around her, cradling her against his chest and his lips came down softly onto hers. It was nothing like the kiss they had shared in the forest. That one had been wild and desperate and she had responded out of her own aching need for love and acceptance.
This time she could feel the intensity of love and the sweetness of homecoming all the way down to her toes. She was instantly sure of two things. One was that, despite her determination to the contrary, she was wildly, madly and irrevocably in love with Hans. She had no need to spend her life searching for true love – it had been waiting beside her all along. The warmth and light of her love transformed the kiss and made their embrace in the forest seem like a pale shade in comparison.
She was certain that she had never wanted anything as badly as she wanted this kiss and the love of this brave, loyal, intelligent man. Which made her second realisation all the more terrible.
In a few short hours he would be going into the arena to face her brother. And she couldn’t let him do it on the back of a lie. She could no longer excuse concealing the truth from him. She had told herself she was doing it for Rangmere but Rangmere deserved better than a ruler who deceived the people closest to her. If Hans turned his back on her, she would simply have to find another way to win.
It was Hans who broke the kiss this time, pulling away just enough to rest his forehead against hers.
“Ava,” he whispered again and she was surprised to find that it was possible for her name to sound sweeter still. She held back a small sob.
Hans instantly picked up on her change of mood.
“What is it?” he asked, his eyes wild with concern.
She shook her head silently for a moment, gathering her thoughts, glad that he hadn’t let her go.
“There’s something I have to tell you,” she said at last. “Something terrible.”
“What is it?” he repeated, holding her tighter. She shivered, hating the fact that she felt so safe in his arms.
“You’re going to hate me!” Her voice caught on the sob she’d been repressing.
“Impossible.” His eyes bored into hers. “That will never happen.”
“I’ve been lying to you.” The words fell from her mouth like heavy stones. “I may have saved Hanna by sending her away with Ariana but I was only saving her from myself. I’m the one who convinced her to join me in the first place and it was my fault everything went wrong.” The words began to come faster. “It was me my father was trying to punish when he made his judgement against Hanna. And, worst of all, I was glad to see her go. Glad that I didn’t have any friends left to hold me accountable. To make it hard to control my emotions.”
Fat tears rolled down her cheeks and she waited to feel Hans’ arms withdraw.
He didn’t move.
“Is that what you’ve been holding in all this time? I could tell there was something.” He sounded more amazed than angry.
Ava couldn’t suppress a bubble of hope.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I know I should have told you the whole truth from the start. I was going to tell you eventually but I had all sorts of excuse
s for waiting. I can see now that’s all they were, though – excuses.”
To her astonishment, Hans threw his head back and laughed. It was a light sound that carried a great deal of relief.
“My goodness, Ava,” he said at last when his amusement had subsided. “Is that all? You nearly gave me a heart attack!”
“All?” asked Ava, astonished. “I’m responsible for destroying the lives of your entire family and leaving you stranded, all alone, in Rangmere. And I hid it from you.”
She was relieved that he didn’t seem devastated by her news but she also felt a strange sort of frustration. Why couldn’t he see how serious her actions had been?
Meeting her eyes, he slid his hands down her arms and firmly clasped her fingers in his. Then he smiled at her.
“I always knew what happened that day,” he said. “My sister didn’t keep any of it back.”
“But… how could you have known?” she asked, her voice small. “How could you possibly love me if you knew the truth about me all along?”
“It was your father who was responsible for what happened that day. You were only a thirteen-year-old girl and you were under immense pressure. Hanna understood that and she made me understand it, even when I didn’t want to.” He smiled at the mention of his sister. “She was always good like that.”
“Yes, she was,” said Ava, still a little dazed at the turn the conversation had taken. Slowly the confusion cleared and she felt delight build in its place.
“If only I had told you straight away! I’ve been tormenting myself with this for no reason!”
“Yes.” Hans threw her a fond smile. “Let that be a lesson to you never to try to hide anything from me again.”
“Yes, Hans,” she agreed obediently, moving back into his arms and raising her lips towards his.
He lowered his head eagerly but before he could meet them, the door behind them opened and they sprang apart.
The Princess Fugitive: A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood (The Four Kingdoms Book 2) Page 22
