Stolen Heart

by Sawyer Bennett

  Kieran was already shaking his head no. “If there is a ward, it will most definitely have an alarm set to it. We can’t risk it. We’ll need Claire to completely disable it. Besides, I’d like to see what the little Queen has to say for herself and why she took it.”

  Annika didn’t say anything else but Kieran swore he felt her tremble slightly in his arms. “Are you okay?”

  “Sure,” she reassured. “Just a little nervous.”

  He leaned down and kissed her softly. “Don’t be. This will be a piece of cake. Now, which door will we need to go through to get to her office?”

  Annika inclined her head to the left, indicating the doorway.

  “You go wait over there by the door. I’ll retrieve Miss Moldevaine and bring her right along.”

  Annika was chewing on her bottom lip, fear in her eyes. Kieran squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. Now, go.”

  He watched Annika walk over to the doorway. Scanning the ballroom, he saw Claire talking to a group of ladies. Walking over to her, he approached the group. He decided the direct route would be the best.

  “Ladies. Queen Claire.” They all nodded their heads to him in greeting. “I’m Kieran Dunne, representing the Royal House of Clairmont in Vyronas. If you don’t mind, I’d like a word with Her Majesty.”

  The ladies all nodded politely and turned to walk away. Turning to look at Claire, he saw unmistakable fear clouding her eyes. “I see you know who I am. You’ll also know why I’m here.”

  She didn’t respond but stood frozen to the spot.

  “Tell you what, let’s take a little walk.” Grabbing her elbow, he started leading her to the door. “And in case you couldn’t tell, that’s the tip of a knife I have situated just below your third rib. It will slide into your heart like it was made of butter. Understand?”

  He heard Claire whimper but she gave a shaky nod of her head.

  “Good girl.”

  Kieran led Claire over to where Annika was standing. He glanced left and right as they were walking to make sure no one was alarmed that she was leaving with him. Once they reached Annika, he saw worry etched all over her face. He gave her a reassuring smile but it did nothing to erase the lines of tension. Walking past Annika, he urged Claire through the doorway, knowing Annika would follow.

  “We are going to take a quick trip to your office, where I’m going to retrieve a little something you stole from my sister-in-law. And should you think to call for help, know that I have enough magic in my arsenal to bring the walls of your palace down.” He made sure his voice was laced with enough menace that she wouldn’t question his bluff.

  Claire stumbled when he said that last statement. He kept a firm hold of her elbow and she righted herself. Walking quickly down the hall, they made it to a stairway and climbed up. Claire led him down another hall, and finally to a doorway. Kieran glanced back at Annika for confirmation that this was her office and she gave a slight nod.

  “Open the door, Claire.”

  Claire reached around her neck and pulled off a thin gold chain. At the end was a key that she inserted into the door. She turned the knob and pushed it open.

  “After you m’lady,” Kieran said with mock etiquette. He gave Claire a quick shove into the office and walked in behind her. He heard Annika come in and close the door. Claire turned to face them both. Tears were pooled in her eyes and she kept glancing toward Annika.

  “Don’t bother looking at her,” Kieran taunted. “She won’t help you.”

  Holding the knife out so Claire could see it, he motioned her toward her desk. “Get me The Scepter out of your desk. And remember, one alarm raised to your guards and I will turn you to ash.”

  Glancing one more time at Annika, Claire turned and walked to the desk drawer. She used the same key and opened it up. Her hands were shaking visibly. Reaching in, she pulled out The Scepter.

  “Bring it here,” Kieran said.

  Claire walked around the desk toward Kieran. She kept glancing over to Annika, who said, “Just give him The Scepter Claire and no harm will come to you.”

  Kieran looked over at Annika in surprise. She had said those words with such tenderness. It caught him completely off guard. Turning back to Claire, he reached out and she laid The Scepter in his hand. She watched him nervously as he turned it over in his hands, inspecting it.

  Kieran looked from The Scepter to Claire. His eyes were like ice. He dropped The Scepter on the ground and lunged at Claire. Grabbing her by the neck, he walked her backwards until she came up short against the desk. He whipped his knife up and put the blade against her throat. Claire gave a startled yelp and he heard Annika gasp.

  “Try again, Claire,” Kieran said with venom dripping from his words. “That is not the real scepter.”

  “Kieran. Calm down,” he heard Annika say. “You must be mistaken.”

  “I’m not mistaken, Annika. That’s a fake. Ava gave me an amulet so that I could detect the real scepter. That’s not it.”

  He heard Annika whisper, “Shit.”

  He looked at Claire and she had tears pouring down her pale face. She was terrified. Good. He was going to use that to get the real scepter so they could get out of here.

  He leaned forward and pressed the knife a little harder. It didn’t cut her skin but she cried out in fright. “I am going to give you to the count of three, and if you do not tell me where the real scepter is, I’m going to slit your throat. Then I will tear this place apart for it, and I will kill anyone that gets in my way.”

  Claire choked out a strangled sob.

  “One….two….”

  “Stop!,” he heard Annika yell. “I have The Scepter, Kieran.”

  Not releasing Claire or the blade against her throat, he looked over his shoulder at Annika in disbelief. Surely he heard her wrong.

  She was standing there with worry on her face, wringing her hands together. She spoke again. “Let Claire go. I have The Scepter.”

  Kieran felt like he’d been punched in the gut. He stumbled backwards from Claire, never taking his eyes off Annika.

  “No,” he said in denial.

  “Yes, Kieran. I took The Scepter. Claire was just holding it for me until I could claim it.”

  “Annika… no,” Claire exclaimed. “I have the real scepter. I’ll give it back to you. Just don’t harm Annika.”

  Kieran shook his head. He looked between the two women, who were staring at each other with resignation and sorrow.

  “Somebody better tell me what the fuck is going on here,” Kieran bellowed. He saw Annika flinch but he could give a shit.

  Annika stepped toward him. “I’m so sorry, Kieran. I never meant to hurt you.”

  Kieran held up his hand and took a step back. “Stay the fuck away from me.”

  He saw hurt and pain flash across her face. He sighed. “Just tell me the truth.”

  “She took it on my orders,” Claire started.

  Annika held her hand up. “Be quiet, Claire. No more lies.”

  Annika moved to sit in a chair. She took a deep breath, looked down at her hands and started.

  “I’ve known Claire since we were kids. I used to come visit Mary when she lived here in Balvraine with her new husband.” Kieran’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Claire is my best friend. She’s like my sister. She knows about…Mason.”

  Annika stole a quick glance at Kieran but the hard look on her face caused her to look back down at her hands.

  “Claire is in a lot of trouble with her kingdom. Rebels are threatening to overtake her, and she needed The Scepter for protection. It was my idea to steal it for her. She had nothing to do with it. But I swear…she would never have harmed anyone with it.” Annika’s voice grew quiet as she looked at Claire. Kieran saw a wealth of love in her eyes. “Claire doesn’t have a bad bone in her body. It’s just not in her nature.”

  Kieran looked over at Claire who was crying and cursed under his breath. This was just fucking great.

  “But I do have bad bon
es in my body, Kieran,” Annika continued. Kieran turned his attention back to her. “I’ve been stealing things since I turned eighteen and left Vyronas. I mean, what’s a girl with a great glamour to do, right?” Her voice pitched high and was quivery. But she held her chin up and stared him down.

  “I steal from people Kieran. It’s what I do. The night I agreed to help you retrieve The Scepter, I went out and stole $500,000 worth of jewels from a woman on Park Avenue.”

  Kieran didn’t think she could shock him any further. “Tell me you’re kidding, Annika. About all of this.”

  Annika didn’t answer and lowered her gaze. It was an act that spoke of shame. She sat staring at her hands clasped in her lap. Kieran sighed. His gut was churning with anger and betrayal.

  “Claire, go get me the real scepter.” He watched as Claire darted into her bedroom. He looked back at Annika.“You could have told me the truth from the beginning and I would have helped you. I would have helped Claire if you would have asked me to.”

  Annika still wouldn’t look at him.

  Claire walked back in with The Scepter. She handed it to Kieran and then backed away. She was still clearly frightened of him. Kieran could feel the magical pulse from the object he held in his hand. He knew it was the real deal.

  He looked back at Annika one last time.

  “I loved you.” It was accusatory and she knew it.

  She finally looked up at him and her lovely lavender eyes were brimming with tears. “I know. But I told you I had nothing good to offer you.”

  Kieran looked at her for just a moment. “You were right. You have nothing good to offer me.” He turned on his heel and walked out the door.

  CHAPTER 23

  Kieran immediately returned to Kestevayne. Walking to Carrick and Ava’s apartments, he was still in disbelief over Annika’s treachery. He wanted to wring her neck. No, he wanted to kiss her neck. Fuck. I’m going crazy.

  Knocking briefly on their door, Kieran didn’t even wait to hear the invite but walked right in. Just great. He saw Carrick and Ava lying on their couch, making out like a couple of teenage kids. He closed his eyes and cleared his throat.

  “Kieran,” Ava said in surprise. “You’re back.”

  Kieran opened his eyes to see Ava trying to set up on the couch, but Carrick wasn’t letting her out of his grasp. He still hand his mouth hovering over hers and he heard him say, “Tell him to go away. We don’t want visitors right now.”

  “Oh, stop it Carrick and let me up.” Ava gave a great heave and pushed him off of her. Standing from the couch, she looked at Kieran expectantly.

  “Here it is.” Kieran handed The Scepter over to Ava. Relief flashed across her face and then she gave him a huge grin.

  “You are the most super-duper brother-in-law a girl could have!” She reached out and gave him a hard hug. Looking behind him, she asked, “Where’s Annika? I want to give her a hug too.”

  Kieran must have had a look on his face as if someone had died, because Ava cried out in alarm. “Is Annika okay?”

  Kieran held up his hands in reassurance. “She’s fine. At least physically fine, the last I saw. I left her in Balvraine.”

  Carrick stood up from the sofa. “You left her in Balvraine?”

  Kieran ignored him. “I need a drink.”

  He walked over to their liquor cabinet and opened it up. Bypassing the honey wine, he pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniels Ava had brought back with her when she and Carrick went on vacation in Wyoming. He didn’t even bother with a glass. He walked over to the sofa and flung himself on it. Opening the bottle, he took a long drink.

  “Kieran, you are seriously starting to worry me. Please tell us what is going on,” Ava pleaded.

  Carrick didn’t say anything but walked over to the liquor cabinet and grabbed a glass. He walked to the sofa and handed it to Kieran. Kieran took the glass, looked at it briefly, and set it on the table. He took another swig from the bottle and just glared at Carrick, daring him to say something.

  Looking at Ava, and waving the bottle he held with flourish, he said, “It appears dear Annika, the woman I thought I loved, was the one that stole The Scepter.”

  Kieran looked at Ava and Carrick. He had expected cries of outrage. They looked at him skeptically.

  “It’s true. And I swear I’m not drunk…yet.”

  Carrick sighed and sat down on the couch. He pulled the bottle from Kieran’s hand, poured a glass and handed the bottle back. He took a swallow from the glass.

  “You better tell us everything.” Ava walked over and sat down on Carrick’s lap. She took the glass from him and also took a swallow. Carrick wrapped his hands around Ava’s waist and she settled back against him. Kieran looked at them both and for the first time he felt envy. I almost had that.

  “I’ll make the story short,then I’m stealing the rest of his bottle of Jack and going to my apartment to get stinking drunk. It seems that Annika was the one that stole The Scepter in the first place. She stole it for her best friend, Claire, who is apparently in way over her head trying to rule Balvraine. Their intent with The Scepter was innocent enough. It was only to protect Claire and Balvraine from insurrection. Once I got Annika involved to help me retrieve it, they concocted a plan to put a replica in its place. That amulet you gave me worked like a charm, Ava. I detected it was fake right away.” Kieran took another swig from the bottle and continued. “After I threatened to slit Claire’s throat, both women crumbled and confessed everything. It was actually quite easy. In fact, I’m considering going into a new career field. Interrogation. It seems I have a natural ability to get people to spill their darkest secrets to me.”

  Kieran gave a bitter laugh and took another drink.

  Ava reached over and put her hand on Kieran’s knee. “I’m sorry, Kieran. I know you cared for Annika very much.”

  Kieran just snorted.

  Carrick stood up and placed Ava aside. He held his hand out to Kieran. “Come on, buddy. I’ll walk you back to your apartment.”

  “I’m not drunk…yet.”

  “I know. I just thought I’d give you some brotherly company and have a few more drinks with you. Help you wallow in your own pity and all that.”

  “Awesome. Can Carrick come out and play with me, Ava?”

  “Of course he can. Just don’t drink and drive. Well, don’t drink and ride a horse.” Ava leaned up and kissed Carrick.

  As they walked through the palace halls, Kieran and Carrick passed the bottle back and forth. “Thanks for drinking with me tonight, bro.”

  Carrick reached for the bottle. “I’d say anytime but I wouldn’t mean it. I’m already regretting the hangover I know I’m going to have tomorrow.”

  Kieran laughed and slapped Carrick on the back. “That’s the spirit.”

  “So really, how do you feel?”

  Kieran was silent for a bit. Reaching for the bottle, he looked at Carrick. “I feel like my heart has been fucking ripped out of my chest.”

  Carrick winced. “How mad are you at her? Enough to let her go completely?”

  “I don’t know, man. I need to think about it. She stole from our family. She lied to me. How can I trust her?”

  “I can’t answer that for you. Only you can judge that. Is she sorry for what she did?”

  “Yeah, she is. Remorse was oozing out of her pores. And I get it. She was helping her friend…in the only way she knew how. Which, you’ll find interesting… Annika apparently is a world class thief. She uses her glamour to still jewels and stars knows what else. Just fucking perfect. I fell for a criminal.”

  They reached Kieran’s apartment and went in. Kieran grabbed two glasses from the cabinet so they wouldn’t have to pass the bottle back and forth. Carrick poured shots into each glass and raised it to Kieran. They both downed the shots.

  “So, you still love her?”

  “Yes and it sucks. But I’m hoping my new love, Jack Daniels, will help me get over her.”

  Carrick laughed. “Wel
l, let’s drink up and find out.”

  CHAPTER 24

  The next morning, Kieran woke up and gingerly raised his head from the bed. He could tell it was late morning by the angle of the sun coming through his window. He realized that the smell of bacon is what woke him. Surprisingly, he only had a slight headache and his stomach felt pretty good. Jack Daniels treated him well after all.

  After dressing, Kieran walked into his kitchen. He wasn’t surprised to find Ava there, cooking breakfast. She heard him come in and gave him a smile over her shoulder. “I just peeled Carrick off of your couch and sent him home. I hope he can make it without throwing up. How do you feel?”

  “Surprisingly well. But then again, I have way more practice than Carrick does. He’s an old married man now and is not used to hard core partying.”

  “Well, I doubt he’ll be doing it again anytime soon. He was positively green in the face when I woke him up.”

  Ava scooped eggs and bacon onto a plate and handed it to Kieran. He sat down at the table and she joined him with a cup of tea.

  “I just wanted to see how you were doing?”

  “Helping me nurse my broken heart, Ava?”

  “Something like that. It’s just…I know how it feels. And I want to be here to support you. You’ve done so much for me, I want to return the favor.”

  “You can do something for me actually. Two things.”

  “Name them and I will do all in my power to give it to you.”

  “First, I want you to help Claire Moldevaine. I know she stole from you but she was young and frightened. She meant no harm and I get the sense she’s a good woman.”

  Ava’s eyebrows raised high. “Let me get this straight. You want me to help the very woman who stole from me?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “And tell me, dear brother-in-law, why do I want to do this?”

  “I don’t know. It just feels like it’s the right thing to do.”

  “Because Annika wanted to help her?”

  “Maybe.”

  Ava smiled. “Well, it just so happens I am a forgiving person. I’ll see what I can do to help her.”