Banished: Book 1 of The Grimm Laws

by Jennifer Youngblood

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Prince Edward

  Cinderella winced as a stab of pain shot through her ankle as she stepped into the boat. The sprain was healing, but her ankle was still tender. Prince Edward immediately put a protective arm around her waist.

  “Careful,” he warned as he helped her get seated. He sat down and turned to face her, his expression concerned. “Your ankle? Is it hurting?”

  She reassured him with a smile. “It’s fine. Thank you.”

  Relief settled over his features, and he took her hands in his and brought them to his lips where he planted a gentle kiss. “My love, I seek only to make thee happy.”

  Why did he have to be so good? Guilt stabbed at her as she looked into his golden eyes. He was so sincere … so kind … so handsome. She could almost convince herself that she could live the lie and be the doting maiden that he thought her to be. He was a prince, destined to be a king. How easy it would be to simply accept his love. Even as she thought the words, her heart cried out traitor! And she knew that she could never escape her innermost desires, for it was not the fair-haired Prince with his genteel manners but the dark-haired rogue with the sharp tongue and the stormy blue eyes that tormented her dreams. If Edward was the sun then Rushton was the shadow that was forever crossing over her heart. She loved Rushton—loved him with a passion that consumed all else. At that moment, she longed to be far away from the complex life of the castle. She longed to be a simple peasant girl again—a girl who’d long ago given her heart to an impulsive, hot-tempered squire.

  She and Prince Edward were alone, except for the servant who pushed the boat off from the shore and began rowing it into the placid water that was glistening silver in the moonlight.

  Cinderella looked out across the water and drew in a quick breath. There must’ve been hundreds of floating candles flickering around them. Each had a ring of delicate ivory-colored flowers nestled around it. Edward had gone to a great deal of trouble to ensure that this night was perfect. She looked up at the luminous moon that shone above them. “It’s absolutely beautiful,” she murmured.

  “Aye, ‘tis indeed beautiful,” he said, looking into her eyes.

  He leaned in closer, and she could tell from his hopeful expression and the way his lips parted that he was going to kiss her. Startled, she jerked back. He gave her a questioning look, but she only smiled and looked past him, out at the water. It lay on her tongue to tell him the truth. Why had she let Wisteria talk her into deceiving him? Prince Edward was a good person. Surely he would understand the situation and her feelings for Rushton. Her relationship with Rushton had begun when she was scarcely more than a child. Edward began rubbing circles over her hand with his thumb. A wave of nausea covered her. “Edward,” she began, “there’s something I need—”

  A loud pop broke the still of the night, and she jumped. A ribbon of colors rippled against the night sky. “Fireworks,” she said, wonderment tingeing her voice. Bursts of silver, red, and blue streaked across the sky.

  Edward stood and lifted his arms to the sky. “For thee, Cinderella.” He reached for her hand and pulled her to her feet. The boat rocked, sending her into his arms.

  As she looked up at him, her eyes grew misty. “You did all of this for me?”

  “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for thee,” he said earnestly. He looked into her eyes. “My darling Cinderella, from the moment I saw thee in The Parade of Maidens, I could scarcely take my eyes off of you. And then when I rescued you in the marketplace …” His voice went husky. “Fate has brought us together.” His eyes took on a faraway look. “I have lived all of my life knowing that I would one day be king—and with that knowledge came the sobering realization that I would be required to put the interest of my kingdom above my own feelings and desires.” A shadow fell over his features, and he seemed to shudder slightly. “For so long, I feared that I was doomed to marry the Princess Helsin—a dreadful maiden who happens to be the daughter of a king. The borders of our kingdom are constantly coming under attack by bloodthirsty bandits and marauders.”

  An icy shiver went down Cinderella spine. Rushton was out there with those bloodthirsty bandits and marauders. Would he be safe? She had to squelch the urge to grab hold of Edward and demand this instant that he go and bring Rushton back. She fought to remain calm as tentacles of apprehension clutched at her. Then she realized that Edward was still speaking. She forced herself to concentrate on what he was saying.

  “My father needs the power of King Felipe and his armies to help protect our kingdom. He knew that a marriage between his son and King Felipe’s daughter would form a blood alliance that would keep King Felipe forever in his debt. Consequently, I was auctioned off like a horse to the highest bidder … for the good of the kingdom.” His eyes flashed with indignation.

  Compassion welled in Cinderella’s breast. She had always thought that as Crown Prince, Edward could marry whom he pleased. She had never considered that his position as Prince would shackle him into marrying a woman he did not love. The ironic part was that the only reason she was out here, on this boat with Edward, was because she was forced into it. When all was said and done, she and Edward weren’t all that different.

  “Everything changed the moment I met you. I convinced my mother and father that I would be a much better king with a maiden that I adore by my side. I feared that I would never find you, my love.” He got down on one knee, clasping her hand in his. He looked up at her, happiness radiating from his face.

  Panic raced through her veins. This couldn’t be happening! Not now! Rushton, where are you? she cried inwardly, suddenly angry with him for leaving her all alone to deal with this sordid mess.

  “Cinderella, my beautiful Cinderella, wouldst thou do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  She swallowed hard, searching for an answer that would appease him when she saw the servant on the shore, frantically waving his arms. “Edward.”

  “Yes?” he answered dreamily.

  “Edward,” she said more firmly. “Look!”

  He turned and saw the man. He was waving a torch methodically back and forth. Reluctantly, Edward got to his feet and peered at the shore. “Something ‘tis wrong,” he finally said, looking at the servant in the back of the boat. “Take us to the shore,” he ordered. “Quickly.”

  When they reached the shore, Edward stepped out of the boat and then helped Cinderella onto dry land. The servant ran up to them. There was a panicked expression on his face.

  “What is it?” Prince Edward demanded.

  “Your highness, the King and Queen bade me to summon thee. The band of men that were sent to strengthen the King’s Road …”

  “Aye, the knights and squires that were sent to deal with the bandits,” Edward said.

  “Aye, Mi’ Lord, the very ones.”

  “Have they returned?” Edward asked eagerly. “One of my closest friends, Squire Rushton Porter, is amongst the group.”

  A thrill ran through Cinderella. Rushton! Had he returned?

  The servant shook his head, his eyes darting nervously.

  Edward frowned. “Has something happened? Speak now, servant!”

  Cinderella clutched her gown in her fist.

  “I’m sorry to inform you, Mi’ Lord, but the men were attacked by the dragon on the outskirts of Briarbane Forrest. There were no survivors.”

  Edward jerked like he had been punched. “Lord, have mercy,” he uttered.

  “No!” Cinderella shrieked. She stumbled forward and then collapsed. Edward barely managed to catch her before she tumbled to the ground.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The Engagement

  “I cannot marry him.” Tears filled Cinderella’s eyes. “I thought you of all people would understand why I cannot.”

  Wisteria reached for her hand. “You loved my son.” Her voice broke. “As did I. It’s because of that love that you must marry the Prince.”

  Cinderella shook her head. “Nay, I will not. I
feigned affection for the Prince because I thought that it would somehow protect Rushton, but now that he’s gone …” tears simmered in her eyes “… now that he’s gone there is no need to pretend.”

  Even as she spoke the words, her mind was reeling. None of it felt real. After she’d collapsed, Prince Edward had taken her back to her room. He assumed that it was the news of a dragon attack that had caused her to faint. So consumed was he with Cinderella that the Prince couldn’t fathom the thought of her loving anyone else. Two full moons had come and gone since that fateful night, and still she could not come to terms with it. The world was bleak and empty without Rushton.

  Wisteria gave her a searching look. “What will you do if you do not marry the Prince?”

  Cinderella looked down at her hands. “I suppose I will go back and live with my stepmother and stepsister.” Wisteria’s soft chuckle sent her head shooting up. A flash of anger seized her, but then she realized there was no malice in the chuckle, only pity.

  “You and I both know that Seraphina will never allow thee back in her home—not if you don’t marry the Prince. You will be an outcast, with no home and no place to go. The world can be a cruel place for a young maiden who has no way of earning her bread.”

  “Perhaps I could remain at the castle as a Lady in Waiting … or live with thee.”

  “Nay, the Prince would not allow thee to stay at the castle—not after refusing him. And while I am very fond of thee, I can scarcely provide for myself.”

  Hopelessness overtook Cinderella. Tears sprang to her eyes. Wisteria was right. She had no place to go. “I loved your son.”

  Tears filled Wisteria’s eyes. “I loved him too. He would want thee to be happy. You have no place to go. Rushton would understand.”

  “Nay, I do not think he would.”

  “Perhaps thou knowest him better than I thought,” Wisteria said with a sad smile. Her voice became resolute. “Alas, there is only but one course for you to take, and it is the mark of a true noble woman when she doth not shirk from the task at hand.” Wisteria arose from the settee. She went to the table and picked up the formal engagement letter that Prince Edward had written her. It contained the royal seal and a promise that if she married him then she would one day be a queen at his side. All Cinderella had to do in order to accept the engagement was to simply sign the bottom. “Come,” Wisteria ordered.

  Tears were streaming down her face. Wisteria was right. She had no other choice. “Why art thou being so good to me?”

  “My son loved thee.” Wisteria motioned. “Come, let us take care of this once and for all.”

  Cinderella nodded and stood. Haltingly, she walked toward the table and glanced down at the document in question. Wisteria dipped the quill in ink and handed it to her. “Do it,” she urged.

  With a shaky hand, Cinderella signed the engagement document.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The Squire who Slept

  Wisteria slipped off her horse and tethered it around a tree. She glanced over her shoulder to be sure she hadn’t been followed before pulling her cloak tightly around her to stave off the dampness of the evening. It was always so cold and dark here. She warded off a chill. No matter how many times she had come to Griselda’s, it still made her feel like she was going down into a dark, damp hole where she could never escape.

  She pushed open the door and saw Griselda leaning over a cauldron. An eager expression lit Griselda’s hideous features as she motioned with her claw-like fingers. “Come in, my dear. I have been expecting thee.”

  The putrid stench permeating the hovel hit Wisteria full on, and she fought the urge to wretch. A small animal was strung up over the cauldron, its entrails hanging out and the blood dripping down into the liquid. She averted her eyes, not daring to look to see what Griselda was boiling.

  Griselda wiped her hands on her ragged frock, eyeing her. “I believe thou hast something for me.”

  She retrieved the pouch and handed it to Griselda who immediately went to the nearby table and dumped out the gold coins. She began counting them. The sight of the withered creature counting the money turned her stomach, and she had the sudden desire to get away from this place as soon as possible.

  “Where is my son?” she said unceremoniously.

  Griselda perched a hand on her hip and gave her a crafty look. “Art thou fearful that I might not keep my end of the bargain?”

  “Nay, I simply want to see him.” Wisteria kept her expression impassive even though a sense of panic was rising in her breast. She knew that Griselda was sizing her up. Then it dawned on her that she had put Rushton and herself in a very precarious situation. Griselda was her ally, but she was also the most powerful sorceress that Wisteria had ever encountered. Her thirst for power and riches knew no bounds. She wondered fleetingly whether or not she could trust her.

  Griselda turned her gaze from Wisteria and back to the coins. Ever so slowly, she returned them to the pouch and clutched it in her hand. Then, she turned her back to Wisteria and hid the coins somewhere on her person. “This way,” she said, not bothering to look at Wisteria. She led her into a small room off of the main living area.

  Wisteria had not known what to expect, but this was beyond anything she could imagine. A gasp escaped her lips as she put her hands over her mouth. When they had struck the bargain, Griselda had only told her that she would take care of Rushton and would make everyone think he was dead. She hadn’t expected her to turn herself into a dragon and slay an army of men in the process. And she certainly hadn’t expected to see her son, encased in a translucent coffin that was floating waist-high in the center of the room. She stepped up and touched it. It was as cold as ice. Rushton was lying there, as still as stone, his skin a sickly gray. A sense of horror began to overtake her. Tears filled her eyes. “What has thou done to my son?” she demanded.

  “Only that which thou asked me to do.”

  “Is he … dead?”

  Griselda let out a laugh that sounded more like a snarl. “Sleeping.”

  Wisteria closed her eyes and let out a breath of relief.

  “Hast thou so little faith in me, fair one?” There was a warning in Griselda’s tone that sent shivers running down Wisteria’s spine. Griselda was not to be trifled with, and even though Wisteria’s power was strong, it was certainly no match for Griselda’s.

  Her heart began to pound. “Nay, ‘tis only my personal anxiety over my son,” she added quickly.

  This seemed to appease Griselda. She offered a slight nod.

  “Was he hurt?”

  “A few cracked ribs and a broken leg.”

  Wisteria’s eyes went wide.

  “When I become the dragon, I lose a measure of control.” A macabre smile twisted over her face, revealing decaying teeth. “But have no fear, he is healing quickly, and I can assure thee—he feels no pain. Shall I awake him?”

  “Nay!” Wisteria countered. “Cinderella is not yet engaged. I will send a raven to thee when the engagement is complete. Awake him then.”

  “Very well.”

  Wisteria placed a hand on the box. “Will he have any memory of this?”

  “‘Tis hard to say what the mind remembers.”

  She nodded and stepped away.

  Griselda pointed at Rushton. “Thou hast gone to great lengths to separate him from Cinderella. Might I ask why?”

  Irritation bubbled in Wisteria’s chest. Even though Griselda looked like an old hag, she was cunning and wicked smart. There were very few things that she didn’t know, and Wisteria felt sure that she already knew the answer to this question.

  “Would it have been so terrible if Rushton had ended up with the maiden that he loves,” Griselda mused.

  “He loves her too much!” The words came out with a vengeance. “Love is dangerous! A love like that ‘twill make him weak.”

  Amusement lit Griselda’s eyes. “Art though speaking from experience?”

  “Aye.” She threw back her head, her nostri
ls flaring. She was growing weary of Griselda’s games. Hatred flickered in her eyes. “Aalexander taught me that!”

  “And what will happen if Rushton ever finds out what thou hast done?”

  A shiver crept over Wisteria. Was that a threat? She gave Griselda a challenging look. “And exactly how would Rushton ever find out?”

  “The truth has a way of seeping out, no matter how hard we try to keep it contained.”

  Her lips formed a hard line. “Well, let us hope—for both of our sakes—that he never finds out. ‘Tis getting late. I must get back.” She adjusted her cloak and cast one final look at Rushton before she left the room. “Sleep well, my son,” she murmured.

  Just as she was about to leave the hut, Griselda called to her. “Thou art forgetting something.”

  Wisteria turned, a question on her face.

  Griselda handed her a torn and dirty pouch that was stained with blood. “These are the items that thy son had in his possession when the dragon attacked. I no longer have any use for them.”

  It was not until she got on her horse that Wisteria thought to look inside the pouch. She was surprised to find the stone there amongst the other insignificant items. Had Griselda not realized the value of it? Surely a powerful sorceress such as her would realize what it was. A chilling thought struck her. Perhaps Griselda did realize and this was another one of her twisted games. Only time would tell. She looked up at the darkening sky and then pulled on the reins, urging the horse to take her home.