Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales Book 2)
Page 18
“Most women conceive within a few weeks after marriage.”
That soon? From what I remember in health class, three months is more like it. Maybe the bodies of Athelian women are more fertile.
“Have you been sleeping badly? Are you under any stress? This could make it less easy to conceive.”
Yes to those questions. Oh yeah, and the fact that Edward and I never had sex.
“Dr. Jensen,” Edward says, and he lays a comforting hand on my shoulder. “We appreciate your concern, but currently, it is unnecessary. Should we actually need to consult you, we shall not hesitate to make an appointment.”
Dr. Jensen adjusts his spectacles and stares at my face. “Perhaps I am overly hasty. However, I have been perplexed about the princess’s health condition since the wedding day.”
Edward’s hand tightens on my shoulder.
“You fainted in the wedding ceremony, despite sufficient food and water and a gown that is tailor-made to your figure. Second, you suffered a pain attack in the head and suffered from memory loss. Third, you fainted at the dance. Now, three months since your marriage, you are not yet pregnant.” Dr. Jensen frowns, looking genuinely concerned, but how can I tell him the real reason? That the fainting and pains were caused by goblins, and I’m not pregnant because the prince and I aren’t sleeping together?
“Frankly speaking, I’ve been wondering if I may introduce a foreign specialist, especially since the Moryn emperor’s physician is here. They do have a more advanced history in the field of medicine—”
“That is for my wife to decide.” Edward squeezes my shoulder. “Do you wish to see another doctor, Kat?”
I touch his hand on my shoulder, feeling the warmth of his skin. “Thank you, Dr. Jensen. But currently, I feel fine. I’m sure my conditions are only temporary. I promise you, however, that I’ll seek your help if I need advice.”
Dr. Jensen lets out a sigh. He turns and jams his bowler hat onto his head.
“Very well, Your Highness. I apologize if my questions have caused you concern. I hope there is no need for the occasion for medical advice, but if there is, you know where to find me.”
* * *
Later that night, I toss and turn in bed, unable to sleep, despite the lavender-smelling sheets and soft, cuddly pillows. Now and then, I cough, feeling a tightness in my chest, but I don’t have a headache. Dr. Jensen didn’t find anything wrong with me. I hope that it’s just a weird aftermath of the exhausting State Visit.
I’ve got all my memories back. I’ve spent loads of time with the prince. It’s time to make a decision.
When I first arrived in Athelia, I was absolutely determined to go home the first chance I get. Usually, when I make a goal, I’ll stick to it no matter what. This is one of the very rare occasions that I’ve changed my mind.
I roll over on the bed and burrow my head in the pillow. All the time I’ve spent with Edward, plus the retrieval of all my memories, have tipped the scales dramatically. Even if I can go home, I know I won't be able to forget Edward. I can’t imagine going out with Jason while knowing that in another world, there’s someone who loves me but can never find me.
Turning over, I lie on my back and look up at the canopy. Since I can’t think about anything but the prince, I may as well indulge myself. Calling up my now-complete memory, images of Edward flash over the canopy like a screensaver. I can see Edward bringing me flowers from his garden, Edward handing me a new book that he knew I’d appreciate, Edward twirling me in a dance, Edward leaning close with desire in his eyes . . . I put a hand on my cheek. It might be my imagination, but my skin seems warmer than usual. If I hop out of bed and look into the mirror, I’m pretty sure that I’ll see a big red tomato looking back at me.
I love him. Compounded with my seventeen-year-old memories, my love for him is stronger, more powerful than ever. He is the ultimate Prince Charming that any girl could ask for. No matter the difficulties I have experienced in Athelia, I’m staying. Mom and Paige will understand, and as for Jason? I hate to say this, but two years with Jason simply can’t measure up to three months with Edward.
Tell him. Tell him you love him and want to be with him forever. In fact, why don’t you tell him now?
A tingle of pleasure and excitement runs through my mind when I think of entering Edward’s bedroom in my nightgown. I’m going to make up for all these nights that he had to sleep alone.
I throw the blankets aside and sit up. Time to go to my husband.
Pop.
A yellow mist forms in the air, and an ugly goblin hovers above my bed, his ears brushing the canopy.
“Krev! Why did you have to appear when I was least expecting you?”
He blows out his cheeks, looking relieved. “You’re not sleeping with Eddie? Good. It’s better that you not form an attachment to him again.”
“What are you talking about? Oh. You’re here to help me go home.”
If Krev had appeared when I was still in Enrilth, I would be only too thankful to get back. But now, I’m reluctant—unwilling—to go.
To my surprise, the goblin shakes his head. “We still don’t have enough magic to transport your body from this realm. I’m only here because I need to check on you.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Has anything particularly strange occurred to you since you entered Athelia?”
“Apart from meeting you?”
Apparently that’s the wrong thing to say, for he bristles. “I was referring to your physical health.”
“Well, I do have a tendency to get dizzy or even faint, thanks to the corsets I have to wear in this place.”
“Is that the worst? Good.” Is that a relieved expression on Krev’s face? “Did you recover your memory?”
I nod. “Yes. Wait . . . how did you know I lost my memory?”
He frowns. “I guess that since you’re living in the palace, it’s impossible that the spell put on you wouldn’t crumble . . .”
“Spell? Are you saying that I lost my memory because of some spell?”
Krev has the grace to look guilty. “Never mind, girlie. What’s done is done. Listen, we are working to gather enough magic to send you back to your own world. You can count on that. The next time I come for you, I expect I will be able to send you home.”
I sit up. “Krev, actually, I don’t think I—”
“However, you must remember one important thing. It is vital that you remember this, or there can be dire consequences.”
I begin to feel uneasy. I mean, Krev looks like the type who loves to play tricks on others. He doesn’t seem to have a serious outlook on life. It’s weird that he should be issuing a serious warning to me.
“I’m listening.”
Krev flies closer, and his large eyes seem to bore into my face. “Do not fall in love with Eddie.”
If Edward were still courting me, and the queen warned me I couldn’t marry him, I’d have expected to hear this kind of warning. But to have it uttered by Krev, who looks nothing like an interfering mother-in-law—I stare at him in total shock.
“What did you just say?”
Krev flies closer, his ugly goblin face disturbingly close. There is this menacing look on his face, a look that jars with his usual mischievous self. If he threatens me, I will do exactly what he asks.
“Keep. Away. From. Eddie. You can’t marry him.”
“I’m already married to him.”
“Whatever you want to call it. The point is that you don’t belong in Athelia. You must leave.”
“Excuse me? You forced me to return to Athelia, and now you are telling me that I shouldn’t stay?”
“It was a huge mistake.” Krev looks frustrated. He looks down, and I notice that his legs have disappeared. “Darn it, the magic is fading quicker than I thought. I don’t know how much longer I can hold out, so I’d better make this quick. Give me your arm, girlie.” When I blink at him in astonishment, he snaps, “Now! Before I disappear!”
“But why?”
Krev says something, but it comes out muffled and unclear. By now, his head is already fading, like a mist thinning out. A second later, he vanishes completely, leaving me staring in the dark.
It has to be a dream. A really bad dream.
I tell myself that Krev didn’t pop up after weeks of absence, and he didn’t issue a ridiculous warning about keeping away from Edward. But when I enter the bathroom, needing some water to rinse my face, I discover there is a strange mark on my arm, right at the spot where he pressed his hand on my arm. It’s a bright red X with a red circle around it, like a bizarre symbol. I am one hundred percent sure that this mark wasn’t there last night. I take a cloth and wash my arm with soapy water, trying to see if I can rub it off, but nothing happens. No matter how hard I scrub, the mark remains, a rather sinister-looking presence, especially when reflected in the mirror.
I throw the cloth into the basin and press my forehead against the looking glass. Krev’s warning seems to reverberate in the air. Just when I made the decision to stay in Athelia, he has to show up and tell me that Edward and I aren’t meant to be.
What did he mean when he told me it was a huge mistake? Seven years ago, he had no qualms about my being trapped in Athelia forever. Why is he telling me that I must leave? Why now?
Should I take Krev’s warning seriously? Why does he have to be so infuriating? He reminds me of Hercule Poirot, the detective in Agatha Christie’s novels. Poirot rarely lets anyone learn a clue, and he prefers to wait to reveal everything in the end.
Have the goblins changed? They seem a lot less powerful, less confident. Another scene comes to my mind—Krev once visited when Edward and I were staying at his eldest cousin’s house. He had told me that I had messed up Athelia’s history. Normally, the old Katriona would have come back, but since I’ve returned when I’m not supposed to, I guess the goblins are determined that I not make waves again.
What should I do?
29
It’s late in the morning when I wake up. Perhaps because I fainted last night, Amelie doesn’t rouse me as she usually does, like an alarm clock. Instead, when I ring the silver bell next to my bed, she comes in and brings me a breakfast tray. Just as well, because my mind is still reeling from Krev’s visit last night. I don’t feel like facing Edward or his parents now.
“Kat.” Edward enters my bedroom, concern written over his face. “How are you feeling now?”
I take a sip of hot milk mixed with honey. “I’m fine. Really.” Strangely, this morning I didn’t cough even once. It seems that after a fitful sleep, my strength is rejuvenated. Good, because I sure don’t want Dr. Jensen visiting again and questioning my childless state.
His eyes soften as he looks at me dressed in my nightgown, my long hair loosely curling down my front. “I’d stay with you, but Father wants me to accompany him. Augustin and Simone will be returning to Moryn today. Their carriages are already waiting in the courtyard.”
“Please tell them that I’m sorry that I can’t see them off,” I say. “And tell them that it’s been delightful showing them around, and I hope that they have found the visit a pleasant one.”
“Will do.” Edward smiles. It’s one of the rare occasions that he picks up my phrases. “I already told Augustin that we’ll be delighted to attend his wedding next year, and he seems quite pleased. Simone said that she’s looking forward to dressing you in Moryn fashion.”
I don’t miss the implication of his words. In a way, he is making me stay in his world, at least until next year, unless I’m callous enough to have him break his word to the emperor.
“All right.”
He smiles and rises from the chair near my bed. But before exiting my bedroom, he pauses. “Kat . . . about last night, in the gardens . . .”
Instantly, I know what he’s referring to. He knows that I’ve recovered all of my memories.
Were it not for Krev, I could have told him I love him. I could have gone to his bedroom last night.
Brisk footsteps head to my room, and Amelie pokes her head through the door. “Your Highness, beg pardon, but His Majesty is waiting outside. The emperor and his fiancée are about to set off.”
A lump forms in my throat as Edward leaves my bedroom. With all of my memories intact, it cuts deeply that I can’t tell Edward that I love him.
I need to get out. Not to escape, of course, but just for today. I consider going to Poppy’s, but she must be super busy with the twins. Elle is currently not at the capital, and if she were, she’d also likely be busy with her family, her multiple foundations, and other charity work.
Eventually, I decide to pay a visit to The Bookworm. While I can’t tell Mr. Wellesley the truth, talking to him usually removes some stress. I could also see if the newest release to that Gothic mystery romance series is out. It’s your typical commercial genre stuff, and I could pick out a million flaws, but geez, the series is addictive.
Before leaving, I make sure to ring for Amelie and tell her where I’m going. I also leave a note in Edward’s bedroom, just in case, and place a glass paperweight over the note. I sneak a glance at his bed—it’s huge, with a dark velvet bedspread, and two fat pillows. With a pang, I wonder when I can share his bed.
Traffic is perpetually congested downtown, so I tell Bertram to park the carriage on a side street off the main road and head to The Bookworm on foot.
“Violets, lady? Sweet violets, just for a penny a bunch!”
A young girl, dressed in a ragged shawl and a tattered dress, carries a basket filled with purple sprays. What’s more, her face looks familiar.
“Molly?”
“You know Molly, lady?” the girl says, her eyes wide. “How could Molly know a fine lady like yer?”
On a closer look, I realize that the girl isn’t Molly, but the resemblance is striking. If she could clean up, wash her face thoroughly and put on decent clothes, she could be quite pretty with her small face and delicate features.
She’s still looking at me with incredulity. Given the number of people in this country and that there’s no Internet, it’s possible that many people have never seen my picture in the paper or stood in the crowd when I was in that carriage ride during the wedding day.
“Did Molly never mention my name? I’m Kat. Katriona Bradshaw.”
She gasps and tries to curtsy, but I stop her. My motto is to do away with formalities whenever possible.
“You’re the princess! Oh Lord, I never realized it! Forgive me, I didn’t know who you are!”
“That’s okay, don’t worry about it.” I study her face. I know I have seen her before, and if she’s related to Molly, then . . .
Click.
“Nell,” I say quietly. “You’re Nell.” The girl who got pregnant in her early teens and had her picture in the paper. Now that I’ve seen her in person, she looks even younger than I remembered.
“How d’ya know me? Oh! Molly must have told ya.” She gestures to another small figure who is haggling with a well-dressed couple. The gentleman finally purchases a bunch for the lady, and Molly heads in our direction. She does a double-take when she sees me.
“What’re ya doin’ here?”
I jerk a finger toward The Bookworm. “Your father made you and your sister sell flowers in the streets after he took you out of school?”
She shrugs. “Couldn’t afford to go anymore. I know the headmistress sponsored us and all, but we’ve got a livin’ ter make, ya know.” She looks pointedly at Nell. “There’s three of us, now, and we need ter survive this winter.”
I have a suspicion who the third member is, judging from the uncomfortable expr
ession on Nell’s face. I don’t see any sign of an infant, though. Never mind. Mr. Wellesley probably knows.
“I’ll buy the whole lot,” I say. “How much is it?”
A hopeful look springs into Nell’s eyes, but Molly catches her arm and shakes her head.
“Don’t pay for the entire basket, Princess,” she says. “The other girls won’t like it. They’ll make hell for us if you show favor.”
It is then that I notice several other girls clustered at a nearby building. They also look poor and dirty, but there is a sullen, almost savage, look in their faces. It seems as though, if were we not in a crowded street, they would have jumped on me and ripped off everything I’m wearing of value, from my pearl hairnet to the beaded slippers on my feet. Apparently, not all poor girls are helpless waifs.
“Three bunches,” I say, lifting my chin. “Three bunches of the biggest, choicest violets you have.”
“That’ll be three pennies.”
“Thank you.” I haven’t had much opportunity to deal with Athenian currency, but Edward made sure I could recognize the difference between a penny, a shilling, and a crown. When Molly passes me the flowers, I slip three coins plus an extra shilling into her palm.
“Don’t let them see,” I whisper.
Without a backward glance, I head to The Bookworm. I’ll have to give Mr. Wellesley some of the violets, because I sure can’t carry them all back to the palace with me. And the number one thing I don't lack in my rooms is flowers.
The shop is the same as I remembered—crooked sign, piles of books, and a magazine stand near the entrance. An old man wearing glasses and a large green apron is arranging books near the magazine stand. On a small table, there’s a pile of hardbacks titled, The Woman in Red, in a Halloween-style font. The book must be a bestseller to deserve its own space.
“Mr. Wellesley!” I call to him, smiling. He has always been kind to me, though his teasing can be annoying sometimes.
“My favorite lassie!” Mr. Wellesley greets me with a broad grin. “Or should I say . . . our new princess? You haven’t been down to see us for a while. I thought you might be expecting a new addition to the family.”