A Soul for Trouble

by Crista McHugh

  “I’m not surprised these things never cross your mind, Your Highness.” She fought hard to keep the steely edge in her voice. “You’re a prince. You’ve never had to do an honest day’s work in your life. You just help yourself to whatever you desire because you know it’ll be given to you.”

  He tilted his head to the side. “Are you mocking me?”

  “Mocking the Third Prince of Ranello would certainly cost me my head.”

  “Then why the lecture?” He took another bite of his apple and leaned against a tree.

  “Did it ever occur to you that you’re stealing? That you’re taking food out of a child’s mouth or money out of a man’s purse by eating that apple without permission?” He shrugged. “I’m the prince. If I asked for it, the owner would have given it to me.”

  “And you just made my point. You’re so used to getting what you want that you don’t even consider the cost to your subjects.” She dove deeper into the orchard, eager to place a few more feet between them.

  Loku’s snickering stopped her in her tracks. “That’s right—hurt his feelings and run away. Tell yourself he’s an ass if you think it will help. But when his breath brushes against the back of your neck…”

  The words came true as soon as he said them. The warm air tickled her skin, made her breath catch. What kind of game was Kell playing?

  “Do you really think I’m that spoiled?”

  She licked her lips while her mind fought with the rest of her body. “Yes, I do.”

  “I don’t always get what I want.” He slowly turned her around until she faced him.

  “Give me one example.”

  “Politically or personally?”

  In the past, she would’ve slapped a man’s face if he looked at her the same way Kell did, undressing her with his eyes and making no pretense about it. She knew she should have answered, “Politically,” but the other option tumbled out before she caught herself.

  His finger meandered along her cheek and down her jaw, stopping at the tip of her chin.

  “What if I told you I want you?”

  Her heart fluttered in her chest. “I find it hard to believe a prince like you would be interested in a common-born witch like me.” There. She said it. Her spine straightened, and she hoped she might resist his charms.

  “I think you underestimate what eyes the color of sapphires can do to a man.” He leaned forward, brushing his lips against hers.

  The bundle of sticks in her arms fell to the ground. Arden became as frozen as the undead from the other night. It wasn’t even a real kiss—a tease, to be precise—but it threw her entire world upside down.

  “They make him question everything he’s ever known.” This time, he really kissed her, his lips pressing against hers for a second.

  Fire flowed through her veins, and her breath caught. What is wrong with me?

  “Stop fighting him and enjoy it.”

  “They make him want to be a better man,” he continued.

  A twig snapped behind them, and Kell pulled away before he could kiss her again.

  The tip of her tongue darted out to assess the already swollen bit of flesh. The taste of apples lingered there. A sinking sensation formed in her chest as though she’d done something to betray Dev.

  “There you are, Kell.” Bynn stood in the lengthening shadows, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “I was wondering where you had gotten off to.”

  “Just keeping an eye on Arden.” He winked at her before sauntering over to his friend.

  Bynn’s eyes narrowed. “You shouldn’t place yourself in danger.” The lord’s open hostility pulled her from her thoughts. No matter how nice she played, the suspicion aroused by her appearance and power would always stay the same. “Surely you don’t think I’m a threat to the prince’s life, do you?” She snatched the last stick from the grass and shoved past the two men. When Bynn didn’t answer, she strode back to the camp in a huff.

  Chapter 20

  Kell watched Arden disappear through the trees. The gentle sway of her hips mesmerized him until the world around him faded from view. He doubted she knew what a tempting creature she could be sometimes. But the questions she roused inside him almost made him forget the sweetness of her lips. She was different from any other woman he’d tangled with before. He actually meant it when he said she made him want to be a better man. If only he knew what she wanted from him.

  Bynn snapped his fingers in front of his face. “Should I even ask what happened?” An easy smile curled the corners of his mouth up as they wandered back to the camp. “I might have had a bit more fun if you hadn’t interrupted us.”

  “And is your curiosity sated for now?”

  “I’ve just whetted it.” Arden captured his mind more than any other woman he’d met. Her uncertainty when he turned her to face him. The way she dropped the branches in her arms when their lips touched. Her hesitancy when he’d kissed her. All the signs of a woman who’d never been with a man before. He inwardly winced at how he’d thought she was little more than Dev’s whore before this afternoon. “She’s more innocent than I gave her credit for.” And I’m the one trying to corrupt her.

  “Or she’s just a really good actress. Sometimes I wonder which one of you is trying to fool the other.”

  Kell halted. “What do you mean?”

  “I know you’re trying to seduce her so she’ll stay and help you defeat Sulaino, but I’m beginning to think she’s playing the same game with you. If she joins you in your bed, would you set her free?”

  Anger flashed through him, locking his muscles as the current passed over them. “What do you have against her, Bynn?”

  “I’m just trying to be a good friend. I’ve never seen you act this way around a woman before. You’re obsessed.”

  Obsessed? He chuckled at the idea, his temper cooling with each note. “Maybe I’ve found someone who amuses me more than those simpering ladies of the court.”

  “Are you sure she hasn’t cast some kind of spell on you?”

  “Would she be so resistant if she did?”

  “I suppose you’re right. But I still wonder about the recent change in you. Last night, for example—”

  “I’m perfectly aware my behavior has you and the other men concerned, but you have nothing to worry about. I’m in control of this situation, not her.” He refrained from telling his best friend about the odd ache in his chest every time he stared into her eyes, or the way he almost forgot about everything but her when they kissed.

  Hell, he even held back on the kiss for fear he would startle her. He’d never done that before.

  “As long as you know what’s going through my head. I’ll be watching both of you.” Kell couldn’t suppress his grin, finding some levity in this conversation at last. “You never struck me as the voyeuristic type before.”

  Bynn’s expression mirrored his, and the tension between them eased as they continued toward the camp. “Are you suggesting I could learn a thing or two from you?”

  “I’m having to handle her differently. The last time I met this much resistance from a woman was when I stole a kiss from your sister about ten years ago.”

  “Which neither one of us has forgiven you for doing, by the way.” He laughed. “Yes, I still remember the black eye she gave me.” Larenis approached them with worry tightening the planes of his face when they returned to the camp. After a quick bow, he said, “Your Highness, I hate to bother you, but I thought you should see this.”

  Kell gritted his teeth, expecting the captain of the guard to accuse Arden of poisoning them again, but he silently led him to Cero’s tent instead.

  The smell of rotting flesh hit him as soon as they walked into the enclosed space, curdling the contents of his stomach. The healer bent over a man and wiped a cloth over his patient’s upper arm.

  Larenis waited until Cero reached for a pot of salve. “I brought the prince.”

  “Your Highness.” Cero started to rise, but Kell ushered him
back down.

  “Continue your work.” He knelt next to the soldier and examined him. Glassy eyes stared back at him. Foul-smelling yellow pus oozed from a jagged gash on his upper arm, and the underlying flesh varied from an angry red to a sickening shade of black. “What happened to Ortono?”

  “He was wounded in that last battle, and I haven’t been able to stop the infection.” Guilt laced the healer’s words, mingling with the shame in his face. “I’m at the point where I may need to amputate his arm to save his life, and even then, there are no guarantees.”

  “No.” Ortono shoved Cero away from him. “No cutting.”

  “But if it can save your life—”

  “No!”

  Larenis restrained the soldier’s fist before it connected with the healer’s jaw. “This is why I brought it to your attention, Your Highness. He won’t listen to me or Cero, but if you said something, maybe he would concede.”

  “I don’t care if the king himself ordered it—no one’s cutting off my sword arm. I’d rather die than be a cripple.” Ortono’s panting from the short exertion quickened until he retched and lost the watery contents of his stomach.

  Kell leaned back, worried for a second he might mimic Ortono’s actions. The acidic bile burned the inside of his nose. He jumped to his feet. Once outside, he gulped in the fresh air.

  Bynn and Larenis joined him. “What should we do, Your Highness?” He took a moment and cleared his mind. “He has a wife and children, doesn’t he, Larenis?”

  “Yes, Your Highness. Three small boys, all younger than five years.”

  “And if he can’t work as a member of the Royal Guard, what will he do? How will he support them?”

  Bynn frowned. “How will he support them if he’s dead?”

  “We have the widow’s fund,” the captain of the guard admitted with some reluctance. “It helps take care of the family of any member of the Royal Guard who dies in service to the crown.”

  “So, in his eyes, it’s better for his family if he dies rather than lose his arm.” Kell tightened his jaw until his teeth hurt. “I’m not sure what we should do, to be honest.”

  “Are you saying you’d consider letting him die because he refuses to have his arm amputated?” Bynn said, his jaw slack. “Look at him—he’s so fevered, he’s not thinking rationally.”

  “No, I think his mind is working quite well. And until we can think of another option, I have to respect the man’s wishes.”

  “These are his only two options.” Larenis’ spine jerked into a ramrod straight position.

  “Cero has tried everything.”

  His gaze drifted to the corner where Arden and Dev examined the sticks she gathered.

  “There may be another alternative.”

  The other two followed his direction, and a snarl appeared on the captain’s face.

  “Absolutely not. I will not let that witch touch him.”

  “What are you thinking, Kell?” Bynn’s face couldn’t hide his disbelief. “Magic?”

  “I think she healed Dev.”

  “You have no proof.”

  “Other than knowing what his wound looked like the night before and how well it healed the next morning. I don’t believe for a moment elves heal quicker than humans.” Larenis blocked the entrance of the tent with his body and crossed his arms. “I’m sorry, Your Highness, but in the best interest of my men, I won’t allow her to come near him.” Kell raised one brow. “You would defy my orders?”

  The knob in the captain’s throat bobbed up and down. “I hope I won’t have to, Your Highness.”

  Kell weighed the pros and cons of consulting Arden and Dev on this matter. Even if she managed to save Ortono’s life and arm, would it cause a mutiny among his men? Or would they finally see she meant no harm? He cast another glance at her. “Let’s see what happens overnight. If I were you, Larenis, I’d pray long and hard to the Lady Moon for a miracle, because Ortono’s going to need one.”

  ***

  As soon as he awoke the next morning, Kell headed straight for Cero’s tent. “Any news on Ortono?”

  The dark circles under the healer’s eyes showed his lack of sleep. “He’s worse. Shouting in his sleep all night, none of it making any sense. The area around the wound has gangrene.

  Even if I amputated his arm right now, I fear we’re too late.”

  “Are you at least making him comfortable?”

  Cero nodded. “I’ve been trying to force a few sips of poppy juice down him whenever I get a chance.”

  He closed the space between them and lowered his voice so only the healer could hear his words. “What is your stance on asking Arden to take a look at him?”

  “The witch, Your Highness?”

  He nodded, watching Cero’s expression fluctuate between hope and fear.

  “You of all people know that magic is forbidden.”

  “Yes, but I might be able to turn a blind eye to it if the ends justify the means.”

  “Be careful, Your Highness. You walk along a slippery path.”

  “As long as I know ahead of time, I can prepare for it.” He crossed the camp to Bynn’s tent. Inside, he found Arden sitting in the corner, massaging the wolf’s back. Her eyes met his, and he froze. He would be asking a lot from her, and he prayed she’d show as much mercy for his men as she had before.

  I can’t afford to hesitate right now. He shook his head and nudged his friend with his boot.

  “Bynn, wake up. I can’t think with all the noise you’re making.” The corners of her mouth rose. “Imagine trying to sleep here.” Kell made a mental note to find another tent for to her sleep in tonight. “Arden, may I have a word with you in private?”

  She cocked her head to the side, seeming more curious than anything else. He welcomed it over Bynn’s dark frown.

  “Kell, don’t even think about it.”

  “It’s too late. I have thought about it, and now I’m going to ask her.” Bynn jumped to his feet. “And you think we can trust her?”

  “We’ve run out of options.”

  “I’m glad to know I’m your last resort,” she said dryly. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

  She didn’t stand when he entered the tent like most women did at court. She didn’t move when he told her he wanted to speak to her privately. And she didn’t speak to him with the respect any other commoner would have. If she’d been anyone else, he would have made an example of her rude behavior. But she only intrigued him further.

  He crouched in front of her. “Arden, answer me truthfully: did you heal Dev with magic?” Her fingers curled so tightly in the wolf’s fur that Cinder nipped at her hand. She yelped and jerked it away. “Why are you asking?”

  “Answer me first.”

  “If this is some kind of trick to gather evidence and bring up more charges against me—”

  “No tricks. One of my men is on the verge of death from an infected wound. I was wondering—hoping, actually—you’d be able to help him.”

  “And you think magic will do that? Even if I could use magic to heal someone—which I’m not saying I can—what makes you think I’d risk breaking the law to help you out again?”

  “Because I trust that somewhere deep inside you, you’re a good enough person not to let someone die when you can help him. I promise no charges will be brought against you.” The rings in her eyes flashed before she closed them and inhaled a long, slow breath through her teeth. She held her breath until her face turned red then exhaled just as slowly. “I’ll take a look at him.”

  The wariness in her expression said it all. She saw this as a trap. He wished he could convince her otherwise. Instead, he smiled and said, “Thank you.” Cinder stayed so close to her side, she stumbled a few times on the way to Cero’s tent.

  Apparently, the wolf shared her wariness. The protective loyalty the animal bore her spoke of her character and eased some of the doubts swirling in his mind. Everyone else thought he was a fool to ask her to help Ortono
, but he would prove them wrong.

  Arden wrinkled her nose when they entered the tent. The stench of rotting flesh seemed to have doubled in the few minutes he’d been away.

  “Sweet Lady Moon,” she said under her breath. “Is this the man?” Kell nodded. “His name is Ortono.”

  She inched closer, her face turning slightly green. He prayed she wasn’t the puking type.

  “What have you been treating it with?”

  Cero didn’t look up from his work. “Everything in my arsenal. Marigold and honey salve.

  Imported tea tree oil from Thallus. Willow bark tea for the fever. I even tried cauterizing the wound yesterday morning in hopes I would burn the infection out. Nothing’s worked.” Holding her hand up to her nose, she knelt between the healer and the patient. “What is your prognosis, healer?”

  He finally turned and acknowledged her. “I fear he’ll be dead before this evening, witch.” She frowned at the name, but that didn’t stop her from pressing her hand against Ortono’s flushed face. “Ortono, can you hear me?”

  “Don’t waste your time. He’s so deep in his fever, he hasn’t made a lick of sense all night.” Cero began tearing strips of linen to form new bandages. “I should have amputated his arm last night.”

  “No cutting,” came the feeble reply. Ortono fixed his fevered gaze on her and clasped her arm. “Please don’t let him remove my sword arm.”

  She chewed her bottom lip. Wetness gathered in the corners of her eyes. “What would you have me do?” she asked him.

  “Please help me, goddess.”

  A bitter laugh burst from her lips. “Now I know he’s seeing things.” She brushed his sweat damp hair back from his face with the tenderness of a mother tending to a sick child. “Your Highness, you ask a lot of me.”

  “Only because I know you can do it.” Her gentle compassion for Ortono stirred something deep inside him. Someone with an evil heart wouldn’t be moved to tears at the sight of a dying man. “He has a family back in Trivinus who need him.”