Transcender Trilogy Complete Box Set

by Vicky Savage

  Tiptoeing down the hall, I quickly make my way to my room and lock the door behind me once again. Whatever Uncle Harold’s plotting, it’s clear I have to do something about him, and soon. He needs to go back to the family farm in Hempstead. I’m not exactly sure how to make that happen. I can’t trouble Mother about it. The last thing she needs right now is an inter-family feud, but I don’t think I have the authority to strip him of his title as Lord High Steward before I become queen. All I know for sure is that this palace isn’t big enough for both of us.

  Ralston will tell me what I should do. He needs to know about the discussion I just overheard between Uncle Harold and Duke Ferdinand, anyway. Plus, I still haven’t told him about my trip to Paris and about the rumors Asher related to me. If I find him before dinner, I can fill him in on everything.

  The princess’s closet is usually a challenge for me because there are so many beautiful things to choose from. But tonight I know exactly what I want to wear. I locate the sweet cranberry-colored, strapless number I’ve had my eye on for a while. From the moment I saw this dress, I knew it would be amazing on, but it always seemed a bit too daring for the normal palace dinners. There’s a duke in town tonight, though, so I figure it’s okay. Besides, the princess has a fabulous garnet and diamond necklace I’ve been dying to wear, and it’ll go perfectly with the dress.

  Maria arrives in time to approve my selections and help me put everything together. She brushes my hair out straight and anchors a small diamond tiara on top of my head. She masterfully applies just the right amount of makeup to render my face as dramatic as the gown, without looking overdone.

  “Thanks Maria. You’re the best.” I hug her.

  “The duke will be very taken with you, I think. Where is your good-looking fiancé? He had better watch out.”

  I wish I had time to tell Maria about Ryder and Erica. I trust her, and I’d like another woman’s perspective on the whole thing. “It’s kind of a long story,” I say, obvious sadness in my voice. “Maybe we can talk tomorrow.”

  “Are you all right, Princess?” she asks.

  “To be honest, I don’t know. We’ll talk later.” We leave my room arm in arm.

  When I reach the bottom of the stairs, a young butler waits for me. He bows and informs me I have a visitor in the front parlor. Thanking him, I ask him to find Professor Ralston and let him know I need to see him, pronto.

  “As you wish, ma’am,” he says bowing once again.

  I step into the front parlor, and my heart nearly rockets from my chest. Ryder is there, all sexy, six-foot-five of him, dressed in a formal black jacket and high-collared white shirt, holding a bouquet of purple irises tied with a yellow ribbon. He’s dazzling. The sight of him nearly brings me to my knees. My first impulse is to run to his arms and beg him to never let me go. His eyes plead with me to do just that. But something inside me—something I don’t like very much—holds me back.

  “Ryder. What are you doing here?” I ask coldly. “I said I’d send for you in a few days.”

  A flicker of pain darts through his eyes. “Your mother invited me to dinner. I’m sorry, I thought you knew.”

  “No. I didn’t know. I haven’t told her about … things, yet. I didn’t want to upset her.”

  “I understand,” he says quietly. “Jade, may we speak?”

  “No. I think you should go. I’ll explain to Mother.”

  “Please. This is torture not knowing what you are thinking, not being able to be near you.”

  “Oh? You’re the one being tortured?” I say. “Well at least you don’t have the visual of me with another man replaying in your head day and night.”

  “Please listen to me. I’ve spoken with Erica. I have told her it is over between the two of us. I will not see her again. She accepts that.”

  “And that’s supposed to make everything all right?”

  “I’m sorry Jaden, but it is all I can do. I cannot change the past.”

  “I wonder if you really would change it. Your little fling with the lovely Miss Hornsby must have been sizzling hot. Are you sure you’re willing to give her up so easily? Will you go running back to her the first argument we have?”

  He shakes his head sadly. “How can you ask me that? I died the day you disappeared.” He sets the bouquet of flowers on the table and starts for the door. “Please give the queen my apologies.”

  I snatch up the bouquet and fling it at him. “Get back here you coward. I haven’t dismissed you yet.”

  He wheels around, anger sparking from his eyes. “You think me a coward?”

  “Yes. You turn tail and run as soon as the conversation gets uncomfortable. You turn to the first woman who comes on to you once I’m out of the picture. What do you call that?”

  “It’s called loneliness,” he says softly. “I’m no coward, Jaden. I will fight to the death for you, but I will not fight with you.” He stares at me for a long moment; the torment in his eyes rips me apart.

  Bowing deeply, he says, “Your Highness, may I be dismissed?”

  “Go,” I choke.

  SEVENTEEN

  I sink down into the nearest chair, immediately regretting my actions. Why can’t I just tell him I love him? Sometimes I don’t understand the things I do.

  “Was that Ryder I saw leaving just now?” Ralston asks coming into the room. He stoops to retrieve the destroyed bouquet of flowers.

  “Yes,” I say miserably. “I asked him to leave, and I wish I hadn’t. His visit took me by surprise. I reacted badly.”

  “May I,” Ralston asks gesturing to the chair opposite mine.

  “You know you don’t have to ask when we’re alone, Rals. Just sit.”

  “What do you intend to do about your engagement, Jade?”

  “I don’t know,” I say, reaching for the crushed irises in Ralston’s hand. “I know I love Ryder. I’m pitiful without him. He’s all I think about. I need to put the whole Erica thing behind me and try to move on as if it didn’t happen.”

  “That may be the wisest course to take, since you can’t undo what’s already been done.”

  His words trigger a thought in my mind. “I get that, Rals. But isn’t there a way to just hit rewind, for a year. Can we start over and you bring me back here like right after the fire, before any of this happened? That way Ryder wouldn’t have to suffer through thinking I was dead and he wouldn’t hook up with Erica either.”

  “I’m sorry, Jade. I wish I could.” His expression hardens for a moment. “Frankly, had we known the path had veered in this direction, we could have done so, but it’s too late now.”

  “Why? I don’t understand.”

  He rests his elbows on the arms of the chair and steeples his fingers. “You remember I explained to you that at the moment of birth all the possible paths for a person’s life are charted out in their entirety?”

  I nod. “Yeah”

  “IUGA has the capability to place you at any point on any of those myriad paths, as long as you have not yet lived it. That is what took place last year when we sent you back to Connecticut. Your life didn’t actually freeze in place. We just put you back at the point from which you shifted. You cannot, however, go back and alter the past. There are many laws against it, and for good reason.”

  “But I didn’t live on this path the last year,” I remind him.

  “Correct, but you are here now. We cannot go backward from this point because, you see, twelve months from now you would be reliving this time, changing what has already occurred.”

  That makes sense, I guess, but it stinks, especially since it could have been different. It didn’t have to be this crappy situation. I want things to be back the way they were, when I was sure Ryder loved only me.

  “I’m scared, Rals,” I say, my voice cracking. “Ryder has the power to hurt me like no other person alive. A part of me wonders if I want to be that vulnerable to anyone. This whole perpetual contract thing frightens me. It makes me question whether I really do have a c
hoice where he’s concerned.”

  “Love is frightening at times, but I assure you that you do have free will in your relationship with Ryder. If you choose to walk away from him, you are capable of doing so. Which is not to say it would be easy.”

  “Nothing’s easy right now,” I whine.

  “Have you considered that you hold the same power over him, Jaden? This relationship has been built over several lifetimes. Can you imagine what Ryder is going through?” His eyes hold mine for a moment. “I know you are braver than this, old girl … and kinder.”

  I sigh. “You’re right. You’re right. I’ll find him tomorrow. We’ve got to work this out for both our sakes.”

  “Yes. Well done,” Ralston says reaching over and patting my hand. “Now what did you wish to see me about?”

  Ralston’s amazed and delighted as I briefly recount my jaunt to Paris with Asher. He makes me promise to give him all the details later when we have more time. I relate the disturbing rumors Asher told me about Uncle Harold, and go over the little scene between Harold and me on my return to the palace. I also share the details of the conversation I overheard between Harold and the duke. This last part seems to concern him greatly.

  “Can I just fire him?” I ask. “I mean strip him of his title and tell him to leave?”

  He rubs his chin thoughtfully. “You cannot remove him from his office, Jaden. Only the queen may do that. But, I believe some further investigation is warranted, and I’m long overdue for a meeting with Agent Chelmsford. In the meantime, it would be wise to avoid any further confrontations with him. Asher is correct in concluding that your reappearance here has effectively deprived his daughter of the crown, and while she may never have desired it, he may have had different feelings altogether.”

  I stare at him wide-eyed. “You don’t think he’d try to harm me, do you?”

  “I believe a bit of caution is in order until we better understand the situation. Family intrigues are a time-honored tradition among the British royal houses. You needn’t look very far back in history to find one family member willing to oust another for a chance at the throne. The stakes are enormously high, Jade. I would keep my trips outside the palace grounds to a minimum. If you do go out, I suggest taking a guard. You should also carry a sword at all times. And do lock your door at night. That’s merely being vigilant.”

  It seems farfetched that Uncle Harold would actually do anything to hurt me, but my stomach clenches at the possibility. “Whatever you say, Rals. There’s one trip I’d really like to make tomorrow, though. I need to see Lady Lorelei about a new sword.”

  He nods. “Ah yes. You are accustomed to a samurai weapon now. That’s actually a splendid idea. It will give us an excuse to go into town. We can meet with Lady Lorelei, and then have a chat with Agent Chelmsford. I shall make the arrangements.” He rises from his chair and holds out his arm for me. “Shall we go to dinner?”

  Slipping my arm through his, I place my other hand over my churning insides, not sure I’ll actually be able to eat.

  When we reach the dining hall, Samuel waits with a note from Mother. She’s not feeling well, and she asks that I entertain the duke in her absence. “Is she all right?” I ask him. “She hasn’t felt well all day.”

  “I believe so, ma’am,” he says quietly, eyes glued to the floor. Like Samuel would really know.

  “I’m going to check on her. Please explain to Prince Andrew, and ask him to keep the duke occupied until I get back.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He bows, never making eye-contact.

  Hurrying to Mother’s room, I hope she hasn’t taken a turn for the worse.

  “Don’t fuss over me, darling,” she says. “Everything is fine. Some days are more difficult than others. I assumed the duke would be in good hands with you, Ryder, and Drew. Charles will sit with me later. He’s promised to read some Browning to me.”

  “That sounds nice, Mother. Elizabeth or Robert?” I ask.

  “Elizabeth, of course.” She smoothes the coverlet with a frail hand.

  The thought of General LeGare reading poetry to my mother, makes me smile internally. Not bothering to tell her that Ryder is absent from the dinner table again tonight, I bend and kiss her pale forehead. “All right, Mother. Have a restful evening. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Jaden. It’s such a comfort to have you home. I love you, darling.”

  “Love you too, Mother.”

  Dinner is in full swing by the time I reach my seat at the queen’s table. The duke seems to be enjoying himself. He smiles winningly at me, and holds my chair, his dark eyes openly appreciating my strapless gown. It feels weird making small talk with him, after the conversation I overheard this afternoon. I still don’t know what to make of it.

  By the time desert and coffee have been served, I’ve had enough of the duke’s syrupy charm to cause tooth decay. When he asks if he may “escort me to my chamber” so that we may have a word, I’m a little dubious. I halfway suspect he just wants to wrangle an invitation inside my bedroom. When we arrive at my door, though, he declines to come in for tea.

  “No, no,” he says in his soft accent. “That would be unseemly. You are an engaged woman, and I … well, let us say I have a reputation with the ladies.”

  “Then thank you for a lovely evening.” I reach for the door handle, but he lightly touches my arm.

  “Princess Jaden, I like you,” he says in a hushed voice. “Your mother has been a loyal friend to Cupola de Vita and King Rafael for many years. The king sent me here to determine whether we could negotiate an agreement acceptable to the Designated Guardian for the construction of a new dome. Upon my arrival, it was obvious the queen was not well enough to consider our new proposals. I ask your permission to return when … well, after your coronation, so that we may converse on this matter.”

  “Yes. That would be fine. But, like my mother, I’m opposed to construction of a prison-type dome. If you have something new to offer, I’d be happy to discuss it with you.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness.” He bows and kisses my hand.

  “Duke Ferdinand, if you don’t mind me asking, have you spoken with my uncle about these matters?”

  “Let us say, my discussions with the Lord High Steward were not satisfactory.” Checking over his shoulder, he says quietly, “I also have a question for you, Your Highness; do you intend to keep him in that office once you have ascended to the throne?”

  “I haven’t made those final decisions as yet,” I respond guardedly. “Why do you ask?”

  "We have a saying in Cupola de Vita, maybe you have heard of it: el poder corrompe, y el poder absouto corrompe absolutamente. It means Power corrupts...”

  "…and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” I complete his sentence. “Yes, I'm familiar with it. Why?"

  "Perhaps you should consider it when determining the role of Prince Harold in your new regime. I am not certain that he is capable of placing your interests above his own." His expression is earnest.

  I nod slowly. "Thanks for the advice."

  "Que Dios los bendiga, Princess. God bless.”

  EIGHTEEN

  I awaken early, thinking of all I need to accomplish before Ralston and I leave for Warrington Village. The most important task is to messenger a note to Ryder. Searching the princess’s desk for something to write on, I find a green satin box with a purple tassel containing some personalized stationery. Engraved in gold at the top of the thick, cream-colored paper are a crown and my official title: The Crown Princess Jaden Victoria Hanover Beckett. It’s a little formal for my taste, but it’ll do. Staring at the ceiling, I compose my thoughts.

  Dear Ryder, I apologize for my rude behavior of last evening. I would like to speak with you about our future, if you are still willing. Please come to Warrington Palace at six o’clock tonight. Yours truly, Jaden

  It sounds a little lame, but I don’t want to go into anything until I can speak with him in person. I fold up the note, and stuff
it in an envelope. The flap has no glue, but I find some gold seals in the stationery box and pop one on. I scribble Ryder’s name on the front and open my door to search for Maria. A maid instantly appears. With a curtsey she asks, “May I help you, ma’am?”

  “Yes. Please have this letter delivered at once to Chief Ryder Blackthorn in Unicoi Village. Ask the messenger to wait for a reply.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” She takes the note and hustles down the hall.

  Okay, that’s done, onto the next. I pull out some additional sheets of paper and attempt to draw a katana, a traditional Japanese samurai sword, from memory. The princess’s cousin, Lady Lorelei Bartlett, is a talented sword maker and silversmith, but she’s likely never seen a katana, since Japan and China sank into the sea a few hundred years back.