The Wild Swans

by Shea, K. M.

  In addition to serving as the public relations poster child, Rune was also something of a one-man secret police. He investigated and reprimanded persons of interest, occasionally with the aid of one of his older brothers depending on the suspected crime. Mostly he worked for Elise, helping her keep Arcainia’s nobles in line and investigating their claims when Elise could not.

  “None. I’ve spent the past month going over the Defense Department’s budget and expenses, but I haven’t gotten very far,” Elise said.

  “Are Mikk and Nick avoiding you?”

  “No—worse. Falk is being obstinate over several items in the Agriculture Department’s estimated budget,” Elise sighed. She smiled at the serving maid who started loading food onto the table.

  “Falk is all bark. Tell him to accept your suggestions, or you’ll cut department funding,” Rune suggested. “Thank you,” he said, giving the maid a dazzling smile.

  The serving maid set the last of the food and drinks on the table and bobbed a curtsey before she left, unaffected by Rune’s good looks.

  “I can tell he is getting irritated with our meetings as well,” Elise said, spearing a sausage.

  “Falk? How?”

  “His tone is increasingly sarcastic, and he’s dropping nicknames like flower petals. Sugar Plum, Filly, Moonbeam, Ray of Sun. I have a theory. The more ridiculous they are, the more irritated he is,” Elise said.

  “I am sorry you feel that he is annoyed by you,” Rune said, helping himself to a portion of salted fish.

  “There isn’t much either of us can do about the situation. But let us talk of more pleasant things,” Elise suggested.

  “Where is Father? Doesn’t he usually eat with everyone?” Rune asked, nodding at the royal table where King Henrik usually ate with his councilors. Instead, a smiling Prince Steffen was seated in his place.

  Elise sipped a mug of hot cider. “He’s been going out a lot the past few weeks.”

  “Going out? Going out where? It’s the middle of winter. We had snow last week,” Rune said.

  “I am not entirely certain. I talked to him about it once—it’s not good for him to miss so many lunches—but he said he likes going to the forest to think,” Elise said.

  “Does he take a guard with him at least?”

  “I don’t believe so.”

  “Is that so,” Rune said.

  “He may simply miss Mother,” Elise said.

  “Mother has been dead for several years, and he has never done this before.”

  “Yes, but she died in winter. He may be trying to escape his memories of her death,” Elise said.

  Queen Ingrid had passed away suddenly due to a fast onset sickness about three years ago. The entire country was devastated; Queen Ingrid was beloved by all. But King Henrik took it particularly hard. For a while, the royal family wasn’t sure he would outlive Ingrid because he pined for her like a swan after it loses its mate. But with time and much love from his children, King Henrik returned to his joyful self.

  “If that is the case, I cannot fault him. I can hardly point fingers for staunch loyalty in love,” Rune said.

  “What do you mean?” Elise said as a maid set a tray of apple fritters down.

  “Gads, how I have missed eating in Brandis,” Rune said, twitching a hot fritter off the tray.

  “And we are ever so glad you have returned. Welcome home, Rune.”

  Rune licked sugar off his fingers. “Thank you. I’m happy to be back,” he said, his words adorned by a dangerously charming smile.

  “I’m sure the ladies of the court are especially glad,” Elise said with the princess smile she reserved for state affairs. “There is a ball tonight, you know.”

  Rune winced. “Oh. What ill timing. I think I may have to make spontaneous inspections of the army barracks with Mikk and Nick.”

  “That is unfortunate. I was looking forward to dancing with you,” Elise said.

  “For you, My Lady, I would slay a dozen sea serpents or, even worse, attend a party.”

  “How very heroic of you.”

  “Indeed. If you wish it, I shall brave the ballroom tonight, but only if you allow me to be your escort.”

  “It is very sad, but I must respectfully decline. Father still insists on being my escort. You could always ask him.”

  “I could, but he is fiercely protective of the honor. I doubt I would succeed,” Rune said.

  “I think he uses me to keep the eligible ladies and widows away,” Elise said, helping herself to a fritter.

  “It would be the smart thing to do.”

  “But will you come tonight anyway?”

  “Will any of my brothers be there?”

  “Gerhart will for certain, and Steffen of course. Falk usually comes to this sort of thing, but I don’t think Erick will. He is still at the university, and he would have arrived by now if he meant to attend. As for Mikk and Nick, no one can pretend to predict what they will do,” Elise said.

  “And you will attend,” Rune said.

  “Naturally. It is one of my duties,” Elise said before she bit into her fritter. She closed her eyes in ecstasy when she bit through the crunchy, sugared exterior.

  “Naturally,” Rune echoed before he brushed sugar off Elise’s cheek with a finger.

  “So you will come?”

  “I will come.”

  “Thank you, Rune.”

  “My pleasure, Elise.”

  “Your country is so quaint, Princess. I dearly enjoy your state events; they are so charming in their modesty.”

  “You are too kind, Ambassador Orazio,” Elise said, her smile pasted in place. She had to be kind to Orazio. He was from Sole, one of the few countries Arcainia did not loan money to or ship many supplies and exports to. They were allied only through political maneuvering, which meant a misspoken word could bring the relationship crashing down.

  “In Sole, a royal ball would so fill the royal palace, normal government activities would be halted for a week,” Orazio continued, lifting his prominent nose into the air like the sail of a boat.

  “How inconvenient. Although I suppose you must miss it?” Elise said, feigning sympathy. Ambassador Orazio was a fussy, opinionated man. Elise did not enjoy speaking to him, but it was in Arcainia’s best interests to see that he was properly entertained.

  Orazio stroked his greasy goatee. “The food, the colors, the brilliance of Sole cannot be imitated. However, Arcainia is a pleasant post—although I must confess I do not understand your obsession with work uniforms,” he said, watching three secretaries from the Commerce Department walk past. Their department affiliation was clearly indicated by the black bands they wore on their arms over their party clothes.

  “For a country as small as Arcainia, the uniforms provide an easy method of organization and wordless communication,” Elise said, her hand lingering on the red sash tied around the waist of her white dress.

  “If you say so, Princess,” Orazio said, taking a goblet of wine from a serving maid. “I find your lack of class distinction… refreshing,” Orazio said, placing the pause to make it clear he found it anything but. “In Sole, hardly any sort of royal ball would allow government employees to attend.”

  If the royals are anything like you, it’s no wonder, Elise wryly thought.

  “Another symptom of our small country, I suppose. Our government subordinates have much to do with the running of the country, so we feel it is appropriate to welcome them into occasions of celebration,” Elise said.

  “I see,” Orazio said.

  “If you will pardon us, Ambassador Orazio. Could you spare Elise for a few minutes?”

  Orazio and Elise turned to face Rune, who spoke the request, and Falk.

  Standing side by side, the brothers made a stark contrast. Rune was bright with his glimmering gold hair, hazel eyes, and charming smile. Falk, on the other hand, had hair that was the dark shade of goldenrod—the darkest out of any of the true children of King Henrik and Queen Ingrid—and brown
eyes that were the color of darkly stained wood. Rune was more relaxed; his jaw line, lips, and posture were curved like a soft smile. With Falk, everything from his hair to the distinct frown of his lips were jagged.

  Orazio bowed. “Of course. Prince Rune, Prince Falk,” he said, his voice cool.

  Elise blessed Orazio with one last portrait smile. “If you will excuse me, Ambassador,” she said before she slipped away, a foster brother on either side.

  Once they were far enough away, Elise let her shoulders droop. “Thank you for the timely rescue.”

  “You looked like you were contemplating murder, Pearl,” Falk said, as blunt as ever.

  “You force yourself to speak to Orazio too much. He is as likeable as a skunk. You do not have to act as his personal host,” Rune said, ignoring Falk’s observation.

  “But I do,” Elise sighed. “Orazio cannot abide Steffen, so Steffen asked me to keep an eye on him and converse with him in his place. Speaking of Steffen, where is he?”

  “Smoozing the Loire ambassador with Gabi,” Falk said, nodding his head at the royal pair.

  Steffen and Gabrielle made a beautiful couple—all smiles and good will—as they conversed with the Loire ambassador.

  “They’re good,” Elise said. “Looking at them one would never realized we barely avoided a war just a few days ago when the Loire ambassador revealed they obtained the contract Steffen made with the Verglas Assassin’s Guild.”

  “Sloppy work that was,” Falk grunted.

  “It wasn’t as close as one would think. I spoke to Mikk before the ball,” Rune said. “According to one of his sneaks, Prince Severin finally put his foot down and told Crown Prince Lucien he wouldn’t let him declare war on us. Plus the contract was for an attempt on Prince Severin’s life. If the guild, and Steffen, was serious, Prince Severin would be dead.”

  “Thank heaven for large miracles,” Elise sighed.

  “We could have survived,” Falk said.

  “Yes, but we would have pulled in every favor and debt we’ve accumulated over the past decade,” Elise said.

  “Either way, war has been deflected. With luck, our countries will remain allies, but for now it is better to focus on more important things,” Rune said.

  “Such as?” Falk asked, one of his eyebrows slanted in disbelief.

  “The present, of course. Elise, you look beautiful tonight,” Rune said, taking Elise’s gloved hand and kissing her palm.

  “Thank you. Based on court opinion, this goes without saying, but both of you look very dashing and handsome as well,” Elise said, watching with amusement as several nearby noble ladies giggled and looked in their direction.

  “Hmph,” Falk said, directing his gaze away from the girls.

  Rune, however, smiled and inclined his head at the ladies, making them giggle louder.

  “Prince Rune?” a female garbed in a palace guard uniform said after approaching Elise and her foster brothers.

  “Yes?” Rune said.

  The guard removed her helmet and bowed.

  “Good evening, Captain Meier,” Rune said after identifying the guard.

  “Good evening Prince Rune, Prince Falk, and Princess Elise,” the guard said, her greeting started warm, but her tone was chilled by the time she greeted Elise.

  “Good evening, Brida,” Elise said, familiar with the prickly warrior. She was a captain in the palace guard and was often assigned to guard Elise or Gabrielle as a result of her gender and Steffen’s overactive imagination. She seemed to get along fine with Elise’s family, but she was cold to Elise.

  “How can we help you?” Rune said.

  Brida bowed again. “I was speaking to Prince Nickolas. He expressed a wish to see you. I offered to fetch you.”

  “I’m sorry to say it, but Nick must do without me. I have just rescued Elise from the clutches of a smug man, and I will not so easily surrender her company,” Rune said, playfully smiling at Elise.

  “It’s fine; I see Mertein with some of the Commerce Department staff. I would like to speak to him,” Elise said.

  “I bet you would,” Falk muttered.

  “Elise, you cannot mean to drop me so soon after I saved you,” Rune said, his hazel eyes wide and sincere.

  “I do,” Elise said.

  “I see how it is. You use me as your hero, and when you have no need of me, you dump me,” Rune sighed, winking at an heiress who dawdled nearby.

  “You found me out,” Elise said, motioning at Mertein when she caught his eye to come closer.

  “Very well. You may leave. Just this once though,” Rune said as Mertein approached them. “I won’t let you go running off with men much longer,” he said, leaning over to kiss her forehead.

  “You’ve been out in the woods too long,” Elise said, taking a step towards Mertein. “But I thank you all the same for the rescue—you and Falk both.”

  Falk bowed. “Always,” he said before stalking off, ignoring a pretty girl who tried to get his attention.

  “Prince Rune,” Brida said.

  “Fine, fine. Where is Nick?” Rune asked, turning away as Elise and Mertein clasped hands.

  “Good evening, Fürstin,” Mertein said, bowing over Elise’s hand.

  “Good evening, Mertein. I hope I did not pull you away from anything important?” Elise asked.

  Mertein shook his head. “Just work discussion.”

  “Good. Please pardon my rudeness, but I wanted to dance with you,” Elise said.

  “There is nothing to pardon. I am happy to talk to and dance with you,” Mertein said with a boyish smile.

  “How have you been?” Elise asked as the young man led her to the mass of swirling dancers.

  “Quite well, thank you,” Mertein said. “My department is busy preparing for the opening of Carabas Harbor, but it is very exciting. And how are you?”

  “As well as can be expected. I enjoy parties and feasts, but sometimes I feel they are more trouble than they are worth,” Elise said.

  “But that cannot be so,” Mertein said with wide, innocent eyes. “Everyone is such great company; the food is outstanding, and it is hard to otherwise find a suitable location in which to dance.”

  Elise smiled at Mertein’s earnest statements. “Everything you say is true. So, let us enjoy our dance,” she said as they slipped into place among the dancers.

  “Absolutely, Princess,” Mertein said. “I am glad I have convinced you.”

  Elise refrained from correcting the sweet boy. Later in the evening, she would have to attend to Ambassador Orazio—a situation thorny enough to make the most enjoyable events sour. But Mertein’s good humor was one of the things Elise liked about him. His good countenance would make marriage pleasant if King Henrik did not find a more suitable candidate.

  “Father. Father,” Elise said, trying to get King Henrik’s attention with no such luck. The King was seated in a chair behind his desk, staring vacantly at papers.

  “Father,” Elise said, dropping a thick stack of reports on his desk, making a loud smack.

  “I beg your pardon, who—? Elise. H-hello, darling,” King Henrik said, shaking his head as if to clear it. “You startled me, child.”

  “I apologize. I knocked before I entered,” Elise said.

  King Henrik smiled. “I must have been deep in thought. How can I help you, daughter?”

  “I have the finance reports you requested,” Elise said, sliding the stack of papers across the desk.

  “Wonderful. Thank you for your swift work,” King Henrik said as he flipped through the top few pages of the report with shaking fingers.

  “You’re welcome. Father, are you alright?”

  “Hm?” King Henrik said, looking up at Elise.

  “Are you feeling alright?” Elise repeated.

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “You merely seem a little preoccupied,” Elise said.

  “Nonsense. I’m fine. I’m just fine…,” King Henrik trailed off as he paged through t
he report.

  “Father?”

  “Yes?”

  “Did you need anything more?”

  “No, child. This is all for the moment. Thank you, Elise. Run along, now.”

  Elise retreated to the door of the king’s private study. She studied her foster father as the normally attentive man flipped through the financial reports, scattering other papers to the floor.

  It was odd behavior for man who was usually just as fastidious and dutiful as Elise.

  Elise flattened her lips before she left the king’s study. If the behavior persisted, she would mention it to her brothers.

  Chapter 2

  “It is a shame you have to leave so soon after your arrival. You haven’t been home for a full month,” Elise said, leaning against a stairway banister.

  “I know, but it was my mistake not to hunt down the female sea serpent as well. Carabas cannot afford to have a sea monster plaguing its harbor when we aim to open it for business in spring,” Rune said.

  “I know,” Elise said. “I shall miss you.”

  Rune smiled playfully—a gesture that normally made women swoon. “I shall miss you more,” he said.

  “Take care, and be safe,” Elise said, stepping closer to smooth a crease in his over shirt.

  Rune was dressed in his usual hero garb of black breeches and boots with a black, fitted tunic trimmed in gold. “I will do my best,” Rune said, hefting his sword.

  “What-ho, my sweet little family?” called one of two similar men who approached the staircase. They were big and broad shouldered, built like twin bulls. They were nearly identical, except one of the men had a crooked nose that looked like it had gotten smashed a couple dozen times.

  “Greetings, Nick and Mikk. I am leaving,” Rune said.

  “What? Already?” Nick, the younger twin yelped.

  “It can’t be helped. A sea serpent is lurking around Carabas’ harbor,” Elise said.

  “Again? Weren’t you dispatched to off one out there earlier this season?” Nick asked.

  “I was. This one was its mate,” Rune said.

  Nick tisked. “Shame on you, little brother. And here I thought we raised you better than to miss monsters. That’s sloppy work. Aren’t you disappointed too, Mikk?”