“Yes, quite safe.”
Carina relaxed. She fell backwards into Stefan and nearly knocked him over. He recovered enough to catch her and set her on her feet. Carina curtsied and walked to the pavilion.
Alaric and Stefan shared a glance. Stefan shrugged.
Alaric helped Fiora out of the carriage next. She studied him, doubtless trying to decide if she could disqualify Carina for slipping. Alaric helped each princess step down before joining them at the picnic table. He took their hands carefully and did his best to make sure no one else fell onto him. Stefan rolled the dice for seating. Alaric had little faith in Stefan’s dice at this point, but at least the rigged seating would let him talk to Lina.
It was not a surprise when Carina sat at his right. It was a surprise when Fiora ended up on his left. She smiled too triumphantly for Alaric’s liking.
He raised an eyebrow at Stefan. Was he angry? Was this some kind of revenge? Why wasn’t Lina beside him?
Alaric pushed the thought away and kept his eyes down. It was better this way. He wouldn’t allow himself to look for Lina. Wouldn’t allow himself to catch her eye.
He smiled at Carina. She smiled back a little too brightly.
“Do seagulls fly this far away from the ocean?”
Alaric groaned. Not this again. Fiora answered before he could.
“They certainly could, but why would they? What would a seagull do on a mountain?”
Carina frowned at Fiora and looked back to Alaric.
“What indeed? What do you think a seagull would do on a mountain, Your Highness?”
“They would do nothing,” Fiora said. “What a foolish question. Tell me about the cashmere goats of Aeonia, Prince Alaric. I understand they live on this mountain.”
Carina’s face brightened.
“Those wonderful goats live on this mountain? Oh, they must be so soft! I adore cashmere wool.”
Fiora glared at her.
“Yes, their wool is very soft. Kell imports an enormous amount of cashmere wool each year. We are a valuable trading partner for Aeonia.”
Alaric focused on his bread. The girls didn’t notice they had lost his attention. They bickered about goats for the remaining three courses of the picnic. Alaric didn’t eat much.
Queen Marta stood after everyone finished eating.
“I thought we might play picnic games now. A diversion since everyone has been working so hard.”
Fiora’s eyes gleamed.
“Is this an official test?”
“No. This would be simply for fun.”
“Oh, I see. Queen Marta, I think rest might be more appreciated. And perhaps some conversation?”
She batted her eyelashes at Prince Alaric. He gulped. Fiora stared at him with her fierce eyes. Carina watched him with no expression at all.
This was it. His chance to propose.
Alaric smiled at Carina.
“Princess, would you join me on a stroll up the mountain?”
She blinked at him.
“Are the hills higher up the mountain better than these?”
“There is a place I would like you to see.”
“If you stroll with her, you must stroll with all of us,” Fiora said. “She cannot spend extra time alone with you.”
Alaric sighed. He hoped he wouldn’t have to stroll with every girl once he had proposed to Carina. Surely a proposal marked the end of the Princess Test rules. He nodded to Fiora. That was far from a promise to stroll, but she seemed satisfied. Alaric turned back to Carina.
“Princess, will you join me?”
He held his hand out. She took it without enthusiasm and followed him away from the picnic.
She didn’t say a word as they walked over the hills. Alaric considered starting a conversation and decided against it. Given Carina’s awkwardness, he preferred silence.
Of course, he would have to speak to propose.
Would she be able to turn that conversation to seagulls?
At this point, she seemed capable of anything.
Alaric had intended to lead her all the way to the rumored site of Evangelina’s Temple. The place he discovered the emerald. It had a magnificent view of the city and the ocean.
The ocean.
Seagulls.
Alaric stopped. Maybe it was better to do it here. He glanced around. This spot wasn’t bad. They were around the corner from the picnic, so at least they had privacy. They stood in a field of snowbells.
Yes, this was a fine place for a proposal. He turned to face Carina and took her hand.
36
Lina’s heart sank when she climbed the final hill. The grass around her cave had been trampled into a muddy mess. The rock door had a deep gash in it. Nog had tried to break it down. He had unearthed the wolf statue and smashed it to pieces. Lina sifted through the marble shards but didn’t see the other emerald.
Of course Nog wouldn’t have left that.
Lina took a deep breath and slid her ring into the keyhole.
“Is that where the entrance is?”
Lina pulled her hand from the rock and spun around.
“Eva! What are you doing here?”
The goat herder smiled and curtsied.
“I’m here to help, Lady Evangelina!”
“Oh. Um, how do you know about me?”
“I’m Marta’s niece of course! I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you when you first arrived! I had a hunch, but I didn’t want to give away the secret if I was wrong. I sent a message for the princes, but you left before they arrived!”
Lina took Eva’s hand and pulled her to her feet.
“You have nothing to apologize for. Your kindness was incredibly helpful. Thank you.”
Eva blushed.
“You’re really Evangelina Shadow-Storm? I can’t believe I get to meet you. I’m named after you. I want to be a shadow warrior when I grow up.”
Lina studied the girl’s face.
“Haven’t you learned light magic like the others?”
“I tried. Honestly, I did. I practiced every day. But I haven’t been able to work a single enchantment.”
“Shadow magic abilities are rare, but I will test you if you like.”
A huge grin split Eva’s face.
“Really? Can we start now? I’ll help you fight the goblin!”
“No, there isn’t time now. It takes years to perfect shadow magic.”
“Oh. Later, then. Can I go in the cave with you?”
Lina studied the rock. Deep scratches covered the stone, but it didn’t seem that Nog had been able to force it open. It should be safe to bring Eva in there.
“Yes, but you must do exactly as I say.”
A man’s voice echoed over the hills.
“Eva! Wait!”
Eva bobbed up and down.
“Oh, right. I forgot. Cael and Henry are behind me. They’re coming to help you.”
“Marta’s sons?”
“Yes. They’re light wielders, but they can’t run as fast as I can.”
Eva grinned as the two princes climbed over the hill. Lina studied them. They wore the loose clothing typical of goat herders. Their faces were smudged with dirt. Their features were sharp, but Lina saw a resemblance to Marta. Mostly around the mouth. They had the same mischievous smirks. Wool caps covered their hair.
No wonder the royal family hid successfully for a century. They had perfected the goat herder disguise. Lina wouldn’t give the princes a second glance if she saw them with a herd of goats.
The taller of the two reached them first. He bowed.
“Lady Evangelina, it is an honor. My name is Cael. I’m at your service.”
Lina curtsied.
“I’m pleased to meet you, but I think we’ve met before. You were the stars that helped me, weren’t you?”
The second brother reached them. He bowed as well.
“Henry at your service, Lady Evangelina. Yes, we were the stars that aided your fight. The third was our brother Benjamin.
He’s away at school at the moment but will do his best to help us from there.”
“Please, call me Lina. Thank you for your help.”
The brothers shared a glance.
“Lina?” Henry said. “I’m not sure we should. That seems so informal.”
“I don’t mind. Evangelina is a bit of a mouthful. Most people call me Lina.”
“I want to be called Lina,” Eva said. “That’s a nicer nickname than Eva!”
Cael ruffled her hair.
“Eva, that would get confusing. You be Eva. Lina can be Lina if she wants. Although I agree with Henry. It feels too familiar to call a hero by a nickname.”
Lina grinned.
“Strange to meet me in person?”
Cael laughed.
“You have no idea. I’ve heard stories about you since I was a child. To be honest, I thought it was all made up. A fairy tale to keep us content herding goats.”
“Nothing would keep you content herding goats,” Henry said.
Cael shrugged.
“They’re not terribly exciting. And they smell.”
“They’re nicer than most people. With a goat, at least you know where you stand.”
“Henry likes herding goats,” Eva whispered to Lina. “He’d rather do that than be a prince at the castle. He’s crazy.”
“Eva, what are you telling her?” Henry said.
Lina squeezed Eva’s shoulder to quiet her.
“Nothing. Now, are we ready to investigate the cave?”
All three nodded.
“I can’t believe it was here all along,” Cael said. “We bring our goats to graze here all the time. We were so close to you.”
Lina unlocked the door with her ring. Henry and Cael helped her pull the rock open. Eva darted inside.
“Eva! Come back!”
“It’s dark in here! I’m in Evangelina’s Temple!”
Eva’s voice echoed through the cave. She laughed.
“Light. Illuminate,” Lina said.
Her diamond lit the cavern with a soft glow. She located Eva and pulled her back.
“Don’t run off like that! What if Nog had been in here?”
“Oh. I didn’t think of that. Is he?”
Lina sniffed.
“No. We’d smell him.”
Cael nodded.
“That thing smells worse than the goats. Normally my senses are dull when I’m wielding light, but the stench was overwhelming.”
“Your senses should be stronger when you’re wielding light,” Lina said. “You should be able to sense more in both realms.”
Henry adjusted his hat.
“I’m afraid we’re not very accomplished light wielders. We don’t have a teacher. You can only learn so much from scrolls, and not many of those survived the war.”
“Oh. Maybe I can teach you a few things. Luca was always bragging to me about his technique.”
“You know Luca’s techniques?” Cael asked.
“Of course she does,” Henry said. “Luca’s her brother. They trained together.”
Cael cleared his throat.
“Yes. Forgive me. It’s just, the possibility of learning something like that is overwhelming. Luca was one of the strongest light wielders in history!”
Lina snickered.
“Really? Does it say that in his scrolls?”
“Um, yes. Wasn’t he?”
“He was strong, but he was also a bragger. I wouldn’t take his assessment of his own abilities too seriously. Still, I’m happy to show you what I know.”
Cael’s face fell. He scuffed his feet along the cavern floor. It kicked up a small cloud of dust.
“Luca is his personal hero,” Henry said. “He’s always wanted to be an adventurer just like him. Be careful what you say. He’ll take it personally.”
Lina considered this. Luca as someone’s personal hero? Especially someone as serious as Cael seemed to be? Luca had been too busy playing pranks to practice magic. She stifled her laugh when she glimpsed the expression on Cael’s face. She put her hand on his shoulder instead.
“I’m glad Luca has admirers. He was a good brother and a good warrior. My best friend. He deserves better than to be remembered as a talking donkey.”
Cael smiled at her.
“You’ll have to tell me about him sometime, Lina.”
“I’d like that.”
Ahead of them, Eva peeked her head out of the door to the sleeping chamber.
“Is this where you slept? No wonder you were so dirty!”
“Yes, that’s the place. If I’d known I would sleep for a century, I would have set some cleaning charms.”
Lina examined the floor. Eva’s footprints crisscrossed with hers, but nothing else disturbed the thick layer of dust.
“Nog hasn’t been here,” she said. “There would be footprints. He would have smashed everything.”
Cael and Henry paused in the doorway. They stared at the cavern with wide eyes until Lina felt awkward.
“Welcome to Evangelina’s Temple,” she said.
She was trying to lighten the mood, but the brothers kept staring.
“We should take off our hats, right?” Henry said. “That’s a respectful gesture, right?”
He slid his hat from his head, revealing a tangled mess of brown curls. Cael left his on. He stood frozen, not even blinking, as he examined every corner of the room.
“Ben will be sorry he missed this,” Henry said. “He’s more scholarly than the rest of us.”
“Except for Prince Marcus!” Eva said. “He comes up the mountain all the time and asks me questions about Evangelina and goats.”
“Marcus?” Lina asked.
“The king’s youngest son. He and Benjamin are studying at the same school. He is something of a scholar. Even more so than Alaric.”
“He said he’d tell me if he found any scrolls about shadow magic,” Eva said. “He’s been researching it.”
“Oh. That is interesting,” Lina said. “He doesn’t know the truth about you?”
Henry shook his head. Cael finally snapped out of his daze and answered.
“No. No one does. It wasn’t our secret to tell.”
Lina pushed a strand of hair away from her face.
“We’d better start searching for Nog. If he tried that hard to break into the cave, I don’t think he’ll be far away. He’ll be in the realm of shadows until nightfall, but we may still be able to track him.”
Cael’s attention was on the mirror.
“Did Luca enchant this?”
Lina nodded. Cael placed his palm on it. A spark of light crackled from his hand across the surface of the glass. Cael pulled his hand away, and the mirror shattered. He jumped back.
“Lady Evangelina, I am so sorry! I thought I could restore the enchantment! I didn’t mean to destroy it! I should have asked your permission before touching it.”
Lina pulled Eva away from the broken glass.
“Cael, it’s fine. You didn’t mean to break it. The enchantment was gone, anyway.”
Cael stared at the broken glass like he might cry.
“It was a relic,” he said. “An antique. Priceless. I’m so sorry.”
Henry pulled his brother away.
“Calm down, Cael. It’s just a mirror. We need to find Nog.”
Lina nodded.
“Now that we have proof Nog was here, do you think you could convince Marta to take the princesses back to the castle? I don’t want to risk their safety.”
Henry’s jaw dropped.
“Mother brought the princesses here? Why didn’t you tell her there was a goblin loose?”
Lina bristled.
“I did. She wouldn’t listen to me.”
Cael made a face.
“Of course she wouldn’t. She’s stubborn. And she’s always had too much confidence in our abilities. I’ll try to talk some sense into her. You and Henry can search for signs of the goblin.”
Lina smiled at him.
“Take Eva with you. I don’t want to put her in any danger.”
Eva looked up from where she had been drawing hearts in the thick dust on the floor.
“I don’t mind. I can help.”
Cael put his hand on her shoulder and edged her towards the door.
“You can help me convince mother to return to the castle.”
Eva brightened.
“Will the princesses be there?”
“Yes. All of them.”
“Let’s go!”
Eva grabbed Cael’s hand and pulled him down the hallway. Lina and Henry jogged behind them. They stopped when they reached the cavern door.
Dark clouds had gathered in the sky while they were in the cave. The edge of a storm crawled over the mountains, blocking the sun.
“Run, Cael,” Lina said. “Those clouds could be trouble. Get the princesses out of here.”
37
Alaric studied Carina’s face. He couldn’t guess her thoughts. Her face was smooth as a statue. Empty. Alaric gulped. This was it.
“Princess, I am sure you have guessed my intentions. You are a woman of rare intelligence and charm.”
Carina blinked at him. She looked anything but charming. She yawned, making her look even less intelligent than usual.
Now or never. For Aeonia. Alaric pulled the ring out of his pocket. Carina flinched. The green stone shimmered in the sunlight. Alaric dropped to his knee in a patch of snowbells.
“Princess, will you do me the honor-”
Carina made a face.
“What’s that smell?”
Alaric blinked.
“I beg your pardon, Princess?”
“That smell. What is it?”
“Snowbells. We’re surrounded by them. I thought it would make the moment romantic.”
“I’m not talking about the flowers. Idiot.”
Alaric stood and gritted his teeth. Now or never. For Aeonia.
“Princess, please do me the honor of becoming-”
The smell hit him like a slap in the face. His eyes watered.
“What is that?” he said.
Carina stretched her sleeve over her nose.
“I don’t know. I’ve never smelled anything so bad in my life.”
“Neither have I, and my stepbrothers herd goats.”
Alaric slipped the ring back into his pocket. He couldn’t do it. Not when this wretched scent made him gag every time he breathed. Part of him felt relieved. Part of him wanted to throw up.
The Princess and the Pea (Fairy Tale Adventures Book 1) Page 19
