The Princess Pact: A Twist on Rumpelstiltskin (The Four Kingdoms Book 3)

by Melanie Cellier

  Robbie looked up quickly, fear in his face.

  “I need you to spread the word,” she continued. “Tell everyone to get out of the caves as quickly as they can. Let them know that they have a promise of immunity from the royal family themselves. They’ll be much safer out there than in here.”

  “All right.” Robbie nodded. “You can count on me, Marie. I’ll get them all out. I haven’t seen Rafe, though. Not since before this all started.”

  “I know.” Marie fought to keep her voice steady. “He’s caught in one of the cave-ins. We’re on our way to rescue him now.” She gestured at the accompanying guard.

  Robbie’s eyes widened.

  Marie spoke again before he could say anything. “If anyone can get him out, these guards can. The rest of the people here need you.”

  Reluctantly Robbie nodded, and Marie started moving again. Every delay felt painful, but she couldn’t have left the ex-rebels in danger without at least warning them. Neither Rafe nor William would want that.

  It didn’t take long to reach R’s cavern. Its previous ordered calm had been disrupted by the small stones and dust that had dispersed throughout the room. The entryway to the hidden passage now drew the eye, filled as it was with a mound of rubble that sloped into the rest of the cave.

  “They’re behind that,” she said, pointing.

  Ferdinand instantly fell back to consult with two men Marie didn’t recognise. She stepped aside, aware she would only be in the way, and sunk onto one of the stools. She stared at the pile of stones, wishing she could clear them with the power of her mind.

  What we need is a godmother, she thought and looked around hopefully. No one appeared. Obviously this was one problem they were going to have to solve with sweat. She sighed.

  Ferdinand approached the wall of stone. “William! Can you hear me? Are you back there?”

  A pause ensued as they all listened intently.

  “Ferdy? Is that you?”

  A broad grin stretched across Ferdinand’s face. “It sure is, old friend, it sure is,” he called back. “I’ve got a whole team here and we’re going to get you out in no time.”

  “And what about Marie?” That was Rafe. “Is the princess with you? Is she all right?”

  “She’s here,” said Ferdinand, shouting to be heard through the stone. “She’s been a hero all the way through, and she’s saved everyone. Now let’s get you out so you can hear the whole story.”

  He looked over at Marie. “I suppose that’s the Rafe you mentioned?” he asked at normal volume.

  Marie nodded.

  While they had been talking, the men from the guard had brought forward various pieces of equipment. At a nod from Ferdinand, they called for William and Rafe to step back and then got to work.

  Marie watched them in exhausted silence, impressed with their efficiency. They worked at the top of the mountain of stone, and their headway was soon obvious.

  They had just managed to clear a small hole, the size of a fist, when the whole room began to shake.

  Chapter 31

  Everyone froze, except for one man who lost his balance and slid painfully down the slope. Two others, who were working at the bottom to clear away the rocks being handed down, hurried forward to help him. The rest of them grimly returned to work.

  The slight shake had refilled their hole, but they had it clear again within minutes and quickly expanded it. Marie, holding her breath, noticed that they worked even more quickly than they had before.

  It seemed like no time at all before the gap had widened enough for a person to slip through. The guard at the top stuck his head through, and she could hear the indistinct sound of voices. He pulled back out again, and then extended his hand in to help her brother through the hole.

  A cheer went up when the crown prince appeared, and he grinned down at them all.

  “Thanks for the welcoming committee,” he said. “Next time, perhaps you could drop round a few weeks earlier.”

  Marie rolled her eyes, but his squad mates chuckled, clearly used to his joking ways.

  Rafe emerged, a sack over one shoulder, while the men greeted William and soon both of them were safely on the ground. Marie stood up, intending to rush to them, but Ferdinand spoke before she could.

  “I’d say it’s well past time we all got out of here,” he said.

  “No complaints here,” said William. “I haven’t seen the sky in weeks. Lead the way.”

  Marie and her brother were ushered from the cave in front of the guards and she could do nothing but throw a quick glance at Rafe over her shoulder. His eyes were fixed on her, relief filling his face. She felt the same relief at seeing that he was unharmed.

  “What’s in the sack?” she asked William, pointing back towards Rafe.

  “Huh?” He turned back to look. “Oh, that. We had plenty of time, so we figured it was worth gathering up R’s things.”

  Marie looked at him in horror.

  “Oh, not that weird inky stuff,” he assured her. “Just the papers and the books and the pouches. You’d already touched them all anyway, so we knew they were safe, even without R’s name.”

  William glanced back at Rafe again. “I like Rafe,” he said, lowering his voice. “But you know our parents are never going to approve.”

  “I know,” said Marie, sure that her misery must be evident in her face.

  “All right then,” said William, his own eyes filled with pity. “I am sorry, Mare. If there was anything I could do…”

  She shook her head wordlessly.

  While they had been talking, the group had nearly reached the entrance of the caves. William looked down at her again and then suddenly picked up his pace.

  “Come on, you lot, stop your dilly-dallying,” he called, and led the men out into the open air. Marie found herself alone in the deserted entrance cave with Rafe.

  He looked after the men, then back at Marie. She moved towards him, and he quickly dropped the sack, opening his arms to receive her.

  She sunk into his embrace with a sigh.

  “Thank goodness you’re safe,” he said. “I’ve been sick with worry.”

  She smiled up at him. “I thought you had full confidence in me.”

  “I did.” He smiled back down at her. “It was everyone else I wasn’t so sure about.”

  “Well, you would be right where Peter was concerned,” said Marie, her eyes narrowing. “He was the only one who didn’t change his mind about the rebellion as soon as he heard R’s name. He even attacked me!”

  “What? Again?” Rafe’s arms tightened around her. “When I get my hands on that…”

  “Well, you won’t,” said Marie, suddenly proud of herself. “Danny took out one of his arms with an arrow, and I got the other one with one of my knives. And then he was arrested. Despite his crimes, you can hardly attack an incarcerated man without the use of either arm!”

  Rafe sunk his face into Marie’s hair. “That’s my girl,” he said softly.

  A single tear leaked down Marie’s face, and she silently thanked her brother for this final opportunity.

  Rafe raised his head, and she looked up at him, her heart in her eyes. The hopeless situation made her bold.

  “I love you, Rafe,” she said.

  He stared down at her, his face filled with wonder.

  “I want you to know that,” she continued. “But it doesn’t change anything. By choosing to be a princess, I’m also choosing duty to my kingdom.”

  He ran a thumb along her jaw. “One of the many things I love about you, Princess Marie,” he said. “And in case there was any doubt, I love you too.” He moved his thumb to one of her eyebrows. “I think I have since the moment you first raised this eyebrow at me and asked what it was, exactly, that people said about the Northhelmian princess.”

  Marie smiled through the misted tears in her eyes. “Such a long time ago,” she murmured. “Or it feels like it.”

  He lowered his head towards hers, but stopped, inte
rrupted by a fresh rumble. Gripping her hand instead, he pulled her out of the cave and into the clearing. Behind them, the stone collapsed and the echoes of it crashed through the forest.

  The noise went on for a long time.

  “Goodness,” said Ferdinand mildly. “I think half the hill must have collapsed that time.”

  Rafe let Marie’s hand drop and nodded his agreement with the other man.

  Marie wanted to reach after him, but she knew it was no use.

  He turned away to greet the foresters who still lingered in the clearing, and she let him go.

  “Marie.” Yet another familiar voice greeted her. Only this one she hadn’t been expecting.

  Spinning around slowly she faced her adoptive father.

  “Father,” she said, “I didn’t realise you were here.”

  “My advisors recommended against it,” he said, carefully examining her with his eyes. “But I was hardly going to stay away when both of my children were missing. I’m relieved to see you both looking so well.” He glanced over at William. “Although your brother looks like he needs a decent night’s sleep and a few days in the sun.”

  “Both of your children?” Marie couldn’t help the small hitch in her voice.

  “Of course,” said the king, his voice measured as always. “Every father fears for his children’s safety. And I have never preferred one of my children over the other.”

  “Oh Father,” she said. “I’m so sorry I ran away. But why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

  “For this very reason,” he replied, gesturing around them. “We didn’t want to lose you. Or to have you doubt our love. Nothing could be fiercer than the love of a parent for their child. It never mattered to us that we chose you instead of birthing you.”

  Tears slipped down Marie’s cheeks.

  “I choose you too, Father,” she said. “All of you. I understand that now, I think. We can choose where we belong. And I choose to receive the love you’ve been giving me all these years. You and Mother and William. I hope you’ll be willing to accept me back.”

  King Richard smiled down at her. “You were never gone from our hearts.”

  She laughed aloud at the sentimental words delivered in his usual matter-of-fact tone. Reaching forward, she pulled him into a tight hug.

  “Thank you, Father,” she said. She felt clean and fresh, the guilt gone in the wave of love, forgiveness and acceptance.

  Well, most of it. “How’s Mother?” She pulled back and grimaced. “She must be beside herself with worry.”

  “She has been concerned, yes,” said the king, and Marie almost laughed again at what she could only assume was a massive understatement.

  “It would probably be wise if we all hurried back to her,” he added.

  Marie nodded her agreement. “As soon as I’m sure that everyone here is safe.”

  “Spoken like a true princess.” The pride in her father’s voice filled Marie with joy. Gone were her days of questioning herself. She was a princess because she chose to act like one and because her family chose to make her one. Her looks and birth had never mattered.

  William strolled up to them and slung an arm over her shoulders.

  “Hello, Father,” he said cheerfully. “Good to see some old family bonding going on. I hate to interrupt, but I’ve just been chatting with Rafe, and we have a quick question.”

  “Yes?” Their father was as used to his son’s light-hearted ways as William’s squad.

  “Has anyone seen this Rumpelstiltskin fellow?”

  All of the warmth filling Marie turned to ice.

  “No,” she said, drawing out the word. “Have you checked with Danny and Lisa?”

  “Rafe’s been asking around. No one’s seen him since some meeting or other, apparently.”

  Marie frowned. Despite the ability to reverse his enchantments, R was a loose end she wasn’t willing to leave hanging. “We should talk to Peter. He might know where R went.”

  “I’d love to have a chat with him,” said William, his fisted hands contrasting with his light tone.

  “Men.” Marie rolled her eyes. “He’s been arrested, William. And he’s wounded. Neither you, nor Rafe, can have it out with him.”

  William’s hands relaxed. “Well, that’s too bad.” He grinned at her. “I’ll just have to hope for his full recovery.”

  Marie shook her head and led him towards the forest. “They took him off this way. If we can find the captain of the guard, I’m sure he knows where he is.”

  Marie assumed their father was following them. Until she reached the edge of the trees, and a loud scream rose above the chatter in the clearing.

  Turning, she saw that he remained where they had left him, standing in the middle of a large empty space.

  Empty except for Rumpelstiltskin, who held a dagger to the king’s throat.

  Chapter 32

  Marie wasn’t the only one to turn around in response to the forester’s scream. A ripple spread out from the clearing as more and more people turned to see the threat to the king.

  William took two strides towards their father but halted when Rumpelstiltskin shook his head and pressed the blade harder against the king’s throat.

  “Tut, tut, tut,” he said, grinning at them. “Keep your distance, if you please.”

  Marie could actually feel the surge of restrained energy from the guards who still ringed the clearing. She hoped no overeager guard would rush forward despite the warning and seal her father’s fate.

  She stepped forward to stand beside her brother. “What are you doing?” She stared across the space, hoping desperately that she still held some sway with her birth father.

  Rumpelstiltskin’s face grew hard as he gazed back at her. All the subtle threats she had ever witnessed in his eyes seemed to solidify in his face. “Don’t speak to me,” he said. “You are the biggest disappointment of all. I had hoped for so much more from you.”

  Marie stared back at him, putting all of her emotions into her expression. “And I had hoped for so much more from you. You have done nothing but lie and kill and steal. I want no part of you or any kingdom you would rule.”

  “Four centuries I have planned my return. I will not be defeated now.” The grin on Rumpelstiltskin’s face grew, and he looked truly insane. “If I can’t have the kingdom, I can at least have revenge.”

  He drew his knife along the king’s throat, and several drops of blood dripped down his neck. King Richard didn’t move, and his face remained as calm and unafraid as it had since Marie had turned around. A shudder moved through the watching troops, however. Marie held her breath, but none of them broke rank to attempt to save the king.

  “Killing me will achieve nothing,” said the king. “You have lost your hold over my daughter and over our people, and that is the only thing that matters to me. I live, as always, to serve my kingdom.”

  “Disgusting!” Rumpelstiltskin turned his head and spat on the ground. “You sound like my brother.” His twisted face with its strange skin looked barely human.

  Marie felt paralysed. She wished she had her bow and enough confidence to shoot Rumpelstiltskin without injuring her father.

  Just as the thought raced through her mind, she heard the whoosh of an arrow followed by a high-pitched scream. A flurry of movement in the centre of the clearing followed the sound, and it took a moment for Marie to understand what she was seeing.

  Rumpelstiltskin, now cursing instead of screaming, was ripping an arrow from his hand. His knife lay at his feet, and the king, released from his hold, had also dropped to the ground, out of his reach.

  William, quicker to grasp the implications of the scene before them, was already racing towards them both. But he wasn’t the only one moving into the open space.

  Rafe, also running towards the conflict, threw down his bow and drew his sword. Marie realised that he must have been the archer who had shot Rumpelstiltskin with such precision.

  “Get him out of here!” yelled Rafe
to William, gesturing towards the king.

  For the briefest moment, William looked torn, his own sword halfway out of its sheath. Then he pushed it back in and leaned down to pull his father to his feet. Together they hurried back across the clearing towards Marie. She ran forward to meet them halfway, grabbing her father’s other arm and hauling him towards the trees.

  As she ran, she glanced back over her shoulder, concern for Rafe almost causing her to stumble. Rumpelstiltskin had produced a sword from somewhere and now faced the younger man, his face even more twisted with hate and pain.

  “You’ve been a thorn in my side from the beginning,” he snarled. “There’s something strange about you. I sensed it as soon as I saw you. I would have worked it out eventually, but I’ll happily kill you instead.”

  They’d reached the trees without Marie even realising and were swarmed with soldiers. The captain was directing his men to take the royals further into the forest, away from any possible danger, but Marie pulled back against the arms that grabbed at her. Blindly she fought them, her eyes still focussed on the men in the clearing.

  Rafe seemed entirely unperturbed by Rumpelstiltskin’s words. “I think you’ll find I’m not so easy to kill.”

  The older man lunged forward, and Rafe deftly parried him, dancing backwards out of reach.

  Rumpelstiltskin cursed again and reached into his jacket. His hand closed over something that was hidden from Marie’s sight. A moment later, she gasped.

  Rumpelstiltskin had disappeared

  She looked around wildly. Where had he gone? He couldn’t possibly have left the clearing without her noticing.

  Rafe, his sword held defensively in front of him, narrowed his eyes.

  “Rumpelstiltskin,” he said, his confident voice echoing across the clearing.

  For a moment, Marie’s eyesight seemed to waver, and then Rumpelstiltskin appeared in front of Rafe. Of course, she thought. Another enchantment.

  Rumpelstiltskin was halfway through another attack, his blade pointed directly at Rafe’s heart. The younger man leapt backwards, only just avoiding the tip of the sword and parried again. Only this time, he followed the manoeuver with a counterattack. He lunged forward, his arm extended, and his blade pierced Rumpelstiltskin’s chest.