by Linda Kage
“Yes, I did, actually,” she reported, finishing the last slice of grumpacker. “And I must say, Brother. She honestly doesn’t seem like your type.”
I frowned, not expecting to hear this. But seriously, how the hell could she say such a thing to me?
“Oh?” I said, darkly. “And how did you determine that?”
“Well… She seems pleasant, sure, but quite standoffish.” After tossing the fruit’s leftover peeling on a nearby table, Allera sent me a flippant gesture. “She’s really kind of boring. Not at all reminiscent of the bold, viper-tongued girls you chased back at—”
I didn’t like thinking about anything I’d ever done before Vienne, and besides, “How the hell could you possibly say that about her?” I cut in. Then I waved a hand. “Never mind. I don’t wish to hear your opinion of her character any longer.” Because, frankly, it was all wrong. “I just want to know if she seems happy to you?”
“Oh, yes. She seems quite content,” Allera went on, earning another scowl from me, because I wouldn’t have gone so far as to say quite content, though she hadn’t seemed necessarily miserable.
“Whenever I asked about her baby, she lit up with so much excitement.”
Pain pierced through me to even think about the baby, the child who belonged to my one true love…and another man. But it was a bittersweet pain, because even though this increased the likelihood that I could never be with her, I also liked to hear she would be a good mother. Since I’d never known my own, I’d always been fascinated by mothers and how they could love so wholeheartedly without even meeting their children first, and all without having a mark encouraging them to do so. Vienne obviously loved her baby already, which endeared me to her all the more.
“And her husband?” I pressed. “She… She likes him?”
I had my own perception of that answer, but I was curious about Allera’s take on it.
My sister shrugged dismissively. “She seems to, I guess. It was an arranged marriage, of course, so it wasn’t a love match or anything, but she doesn’t talk ill of him or seem frightened by him. She seems accepting, though maybe not head over heels in love or anything.”
I nodded, deciding we shared that observation, at least. I wasn’t sure if I was happy about it, though. I wished Vienne could be more content than anyone in all the realms, yet the idea of her loving another man hurt, bitterly, so I was also happy she didn’t have a great romance with him, which meant, honestly, this outcome was probably the very best I could’ve hoped for… That is, if I couldn’t have her for myself.
Which I couldn’t.
“What does she like?” I asked, wondering how much Allera had kept talking to her after I’d left to fetch grumpackers. “What does she not like? What are her biggest dreams and fears? Is there anything she needs?”
“Good Lord, Urban. I talked to her for maybe fifteen minutes. That’s not exactly the kind of thing you open a conversation with.”
I shook my head, not caring. “But I have to know.”
Allera sighed. “Okay, then, fine. I’ll find out. Eventually. I have a feeling Lady Vienne is going to become my new best friend.”
“She better,” I warned. “She’s more important to me than anyone in all creation. And if I can’t get near her, then you better become closer to her than her own damn husband is.”
Allera groaned and rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “My God. You’re going to be quite annoying about this, aren’t you? But fine. Fine. I’ll befriend her. Better her than her sister, anyway. I wouldn’t trust leaving a venomous, spitting-mad python near that beast. The queen has fangs, Brother. She hides them behind her pretty smile, but mark my words, I wouldn’t cross her if I were you.”
I frowned, confused. From the conversation I’d overheard in the East Salon, Queen Yasmin had seemed vain, and inconsiderate, and full of herself, but nothing so smart and devious or concerning as Allera made her out to be.
“I have no idea why I would ever need to cross the queen,” I said dryly. “Now, can we get back to the subject of her sister? I want to know everything.”
“Well, there’s just not that much to tell. Lady Vienne wasn’t exactly forthright with her personality. She holds back. Observes. Getting her to share with me won’t be an easy task.”
Yes, I’d noticed that as well. I liked it about her, though. I’m not sure why, because I’d always been pretty open myself, but I did. It just seemed like someone of her temperament could complement someone of mine or help to mellow some of my more impulsive decisions. We’d make a good team.
Not that we’d ever be teaming up.
Not that we’d ever do anything together.
Depressed by that notion, I glanced toward my sister. “In other news, have you discovered anything we can do around this place to keep ourselves busy?”
I wasn’t made for a life of indolence. Allera and I had always managed to stay occupied at High Cliff. I’d go crazy if I didn’t have something to do here, as well. Extra crazy since I had a certain woman to pine over and obsess about on top of everything else. Besides, this place was important to my one true love, so I might as well do my part to help upkeep it.
“I’ve not found anything yet,” Allera admitted glumly. “I asked about working and whatnot, but I was met with more blank-eyed stares than helpful suggestions.”
I sighed, making a face. “I feared as much. We might have to be stealthy about—”
Before I could come up with a plan for us to do our share in strengthening Donnelly, however, a muffled knock came from the direction of my door. Except it wasn’t coming at my door.
Then a voice called, “Princess Allera? Are you in there, my lady?”
Allera and I exchanged glances before she hissed, “Does that sound like Prince Brentley’s voice to you?”
I nodded. “It does indeed.” Pushing from my chair, I went to the door and cracked it open. After peering discreetly into the hall, I glanced back at my sister and whispered, “He’s knocking at your door.”
Her eyes widened with alarm. “He is? Oh God, what do I do?”
She looked so worried about the prospect of actually talking to her fiancé that a wickedly mischievous thought overtook me. I threw the door open wide and called, “She’s over here, old mate.”
Brentley whirled around to expose a fistful of daffodils clutched in his hand. “Oh!” he said breathlessly, his gaze instantly moving past me to settle on Allera hovering behind me. “Hello there, my lady.”
Allera shifted stiffly to my side and curtsied. “Prince Brentley,” she answered hesitantly before glancing at me as if seeking advice.
Brentley smiled. I swear, the man was pleased she’d merely remembered his name. “Here.” He thrust the flowers at her. “I brought these for you.”
“You…” She blinked at the flowers before sending me another glance as if she had no idea what to do with such a gift. Then she turned back to her betrothed. “That’s so nice,” she said, her voice full of surprise. “Daffodils are actually my favorite. Thank you.”
She glanced at me again, her face full of confusion, before she reached out and accepted the bouquet.
Brentley glowed from his accomplishment. “It’s my honor, my lady. And also, I was wondering if you might like to accompany me for a stroll around the gardens. I could give you a tour, show you the different variety of flowers we have here at the castle, anything you like.”
Allera’s lips parted and her eyes blinked slowly. She honestly didn’t know how to answer him. So I did it for her. “I think that sounds like a smashing idea.” Nudging her forward from behind, I winked at Brentley. “You two need to get acquainted with each other, anyway.”
“Yes.” He nodded, his smile affable and eager. “My thoughts precisely.”
“Oh…Well, okay then,” Allera said slowly. She glanced at me as if she wanted me to accompany them. But I thought it would be best if she got to know the man on her own. I knew I could trust her in his care. Plus, it always amuse
d me to torture her in any small way possible.
“Well, you two have fun,” I said, waving them away, then shutting the door between us as soon as Allera stepped fully into the hallway.
With a chuckle, I wiped my hands together, feeling accomplished as I wished her an awkward, stilted time with Brentley. It served her right for stealing the last of my grumpacker.
Chapter 9
Urban
For the remainder of the day, I stayed in my room, brooding, and not sure what I was supposed to do with myself.
I almost regretted not accompanying Allera and Brentley on their walk. Then again, I also didn’t. Who would want to tag along for that kind of awkwardness?
But it all left me distinctly alone.
A servant brought lunch to my room. I ate it by myself, not knowing the name of any dish on my tray. The food here didn’t taste the same as it did in High Cliff. It wasn’t worse, but the flavors were definitely different, rich with foreign spices. If I were in any other frame of mind, I probably would’ve enjoyed the explosion of new flavors. But I mostly just picked around with my fork, shifting the meal from one side of my plate to the other. It was hard to concentrate on food when the urge to seek out my one true love took up so much of my thoughts.
When dinnertime came, I planned to do much of the same, moping around my room, but the servant who showed up at my door didn’t bring a tray of food this time. He brought a summons. I guess when you were royalty, it was mandatory to dine every evening with the king, whether you wanted to or not.
After taking one look at my dusty clothes, the servant discreetly cleared his throat and recommended I change my attire into something more appropriate.
And so commenced a crapload of grumbling as I climbed into my stiff formal wear, not at all happy I was going to be forced to do this every fucking night. By the time I entered the dining hall a quarter of an hour later, I was the last royal to arrive, a fact which did not sit well with the queen.
“Prince Urban,” she greeted in a scathing voice as she sent me an icy glare. “So nice of you to finally grace us with your presence. You do realize dinner starts at half past six every evening, do you not?”
I sent her a bored glance, trying to ignore the way my blood heated from merely seeing the elbow of her sister from the corner of my eye. “Apologies, Your Majesty,” I droned out as I paused to present her with a low bow I didn’t feel like giving. “But in fact, I did not know. Thank you for informing me.”
She narrowed her eyes but didn’t reply, so I turned my attention to the empty space between Allera and Princess Nicolette.
Figuring this must be my assigned place from here on out, I went to seat myself, only for my sister to lean toward me and hiss, “What is wrong with you?”
I sent her a short glance, whispering back, “Nothing. It’s nice to see you too.”
The meal began around us, and everyone else promptly dug in. Apparently waiting on me had truly strengthened their appetites. There was definitely more eating than talking, a gusto which I did not replicate. I picked up my spoon, but instead of tasting whatever kind of lumpy white sauce sat in my bowl, I simple stirred it idly, not really hungry, as I attempted to ignore the incessant prickling from my mark.
Another two courses passed before Allera leaned toward me, murmuring, “You’re going to offend everyone if you don’t eat something.”
“Bite me,” I muttered, just loud enough for Nicolette to hear.
The young princess blurted out a laugh and promptly reached for her napkin to cover her mouth, muffling the sound.
The king and everyone else on the other side of the L-shaped table glanced our way.
Blushing, Nicolette cleared her throat and said, “Excuse me,” to the room at large. “Must’ve swallowed something that tickled my throat.”
The others went back to eating. Allera cast me a telling scowl as if she knew Nicolette’s embarrassment was my fault before she returned her attention to her meal. I moodily stabbed my fork into a white piece of rubbery, meat-like substance and lifted it closer, frowning.
Jerking my elbow Nicolette’s way, I lightly tapped her on the arm to get her attention. “What is this, anyway?” I asked under my breath.
On the other side of me, Brentley had engaged Allera in conversation, and she was speaking avidly to him. I furrowed my brows as I watched them. Huh, they truly seemed to enjoy each other’s company.
I guess that meant their walk in the gardens had gone well.
“It’s scorpion,” Nicolette said from my other side, answering my question.
I zipped her an incredulous glance. “Scorpion? Seriously?”
“Yes.” Her lips tightened as she worked to keep in another laugh. Then she nodded encouragingly, her eyes dancing with humor. “Try dipping it in the butter sauce. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
I squinted my eyes warily, then shrugged and did as she suggested. Once the morsel hit my tongue, my eyebrows shot up. It tasted rather like lobster. And Nicolette had been right; slathered with spiced butter sauce, it was simply decadent. I finished the rest of the scorpion on my plate in moments.
“Thanks,” I told the young princess, flashing her a grateful grin. “Your suggestion proved quite fortunate.”
Nicolette beamed as if she’d accomplished a heroic deed. Then she asked, “How was your first full day at the Iron Castle?”
I glanced toward my sister again as she laughed over something Brentley said. In response, his face turned bright red with pleasure, and he grinned back.
“It was…lonely,” I said before I could quite check myself.
Thank goodness, Nicolette was the only person to hear me, but still, it was mortifying enough to turn her way and find her looking sympathetically sad.
“Oh, but there’s so much you can do here,” she started, nodding with encouragement. “Why, you could… Or… Or there’s…” A small frown-wrinkle appeared between her eyes as she thought about it. Then she blew out a depressed breath and leaned closer. “Truth be told, I get bored to tears every day, which is probably why I get into more trouble than I should.”
I gave a low chuckle. “I understand completely, my lady. It’s as if you just described my childhood at High Cliff entirely.”
“Truly?” She beamed up at me as she realized I did comprehend her plight. “But I’m sure there are plenty of things for old people to do here.”
My eyebrows rose. “Old?”
Her cheeks immediately brightened. “I mean… You know… Merely more advanced in their years than I. Your age.”
“Ah,” I murmured thoughtfully. “I’m old, then. I hadn’t realized.” When she covered her face with her hands and moaned an apology, I had to laugh some more. Her embarrassment was adorable. Princess Nicolette was a sweet kid.
“We have board games,” she rushed to say, trying to save herself. “Like chess and… And…”
But she needn’t say more. She had me at—
“Chess? You play that here, too?”
Thank God! Chess was something I could actually do to help pass the time.
“Well…” Nicolette winced ruefully. “I’ve never actually played it myself; I don’t know how. But I know Brentley can, and sometimes Caulder will.”
“Do you want to learn?” I asked. “I could teach you.” Teaching chess might actually take up more time than simply playing against someone who already knew how. I hoped she was willing. I needed something to fill my days, or I’d go mad.
Nicolette’s face lit up. “Would you? Really?” She gazed at me as if I’d just saved her life. “That would be marvelous. Thank you. We can start directly after dinner if you’d like.”
“I’d be honored,” I started, only for the queen to clear her throat loudly enough to gain the attention of everyone at the table.
“Don’t you have math or spelling lessons or something with your tutor after dinner, Nicolette?” she asked pointedly.
The princess wrinkled her nose as she sta
red back. “No. All my tutoring sessions end before noon, Your Majesty. And I believe you explicitly forbade my tutors from teaching me my numbers past adding and subtracting.”
Yasmin merely lifted her nose. “Yes, well. Like I said, there’s no need for a lady of substance to learn such frivolous subjects. You’ll thank me one day when your husband wishes you to sing a pretty tune for him, when all you would’ve been able to do otherwise is divide four from twelve.”
“It’s three, you old hag,” Nicolette muttered under her breath.
No one else could hear her but me, of course, but that didn’t mean the queen hadn’t seen her lips move.
“What was that?” Yasmin demanded, narrowing her eyes.
Flushing, Nicolette cleared her throat. “I said, yes, I understand completely.”
Yasmin clearly didn’t believe her. Scowling haughtily, she opened her mouth to say something, but her sister suddenly blurted, “Princess Allera!”
I’d been doing so well at mostly ignoring her presence in the room. But the moment her voice entered my ear, a jolt of need flushed through me, chilling and heating my skin like a lust-filled rash. Damn, but I liked her voice. It was low and melodious, like a mother singing her child to sleep. And yet, despite the peaceful qualities infused within it, it stirred an anxiousness in me, a want and need that fueled my blood like a drug.
I was instantly aroused.
Next to me, my sister jumped to attention before turning from Brentley and wiping her mouth with a napkin. “Yes, my lady?” she finally said.
Lady Vienne’s smile was tense as she glanced cautiously between Nicolette and Yasmin. As she turned her gaze back to my sister and pressed a hand against her heart, I realized she was trying to divert the queen and princess’s attention away from having an argument. “Sorry for the interruption,” she started. “But I just remembered I wanted to thank you for the gift you left outside my chamber door today.”
