But he remained frozen to the spot, seeming unable to do with his lips what his eyes desired.
But she was a Guardian, strong and brave. She could do this. She knew he wanted it.
She reached her own hand to Tate’s face, feeling the roughness of his stubble underneath her fingertips. He wasn’t neat and tidy, like a Prince should be, but she liked the manliness of the shadow of his beard and his untamed mane of dark hair.
They leaned in at the same time, their lips finding each other’s as darkness settled on the kingdom and light filled their souls.
The kiss was gentle for only a moment, before it became desperate and searching. They needed comfort, they needed release, but most of all, they needed love.
“You’re the husband I dreamed of,” breathed River as they reluctantly broke away. The palace had too many eyes to take things further out here.
“You’re the wife I didn’t know I wanted in my life.” The white of Tate’s teeth flashed in the moonlight, as he pressed his forehead against hers and smiled. “And now you’re the wife I can’t live without.”
“We have to be up early,” said River. “You need to sleep.”
Tate nodded. “Then I think you should take me to bed.”
She thought she saw him smile again and was glad he couldn’t see the flush racing up her neck.
She’d been sleeping beside this man for many nights now and had felt nothing but safe. But now that things between them had shifted, this arrangement seemed filled with danger.
And she had to admit, she loved it.
EDISON
THE NOW
Edison struggled against the grip of the Guardians as they hauled him back into the throne room, certain they were using more force than necessary. He took note of their faces, despite the fact they all looked the same. They’d live to regret this. He still had plenty of that special tonic left. The one he liked to give to all the Guardians who disrespected him.
“Get your hands off me!” he cried, although his words seemed to have the opposite effect and they gripped him tighter.
How dare the King treat him like some kind of criminal! He should be thrown a street parade, not having his life threatened with a sword that looked a little too sharp for Edison’s liking, even if Tate had been too gutless to use it.
He let his legs fall limp and the Guardians dragged him toward the King’s throne like he weighed nothing at all. Picking up his feet, he scrambled his way forward. Now wasn’t the time to look pathetic.
The King was already seated with a bowl of buttered carrots in his lap like he was here for the entertainment. He picked up a carrot and bit into it, letting the butter drizzle down his chin. Tate and his Guardian wife sat to one side of him and Pip on the other. Thankfully, they didn’t seem to think now was a good time for a snack.
Edison locked eyes with Pip who looked like she was about to lurch herself out of her seat and run to Edison. She was his best hope out of this mess. If it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t be alive today. But then again, if it weren’t for him, she’d still be in her room playing with the hideous dolls his mother had made her, so he guessed they were even.
“Stay where you are, Philippa,” the King instructed.
“Do as your father says, my love.” Edison made those eyes at her that she seemed to like so much. She was so easy to play. All women were. Although, River’s sister had proven a little more difficult unfortunately, but she hadn’t been a real woman anyway.
There was a floral scent in the air and Edison sniffed at it, his nose crinkling until he realized it was the fertility elixir he’d retrieved from the Alchemist. The King must be insisting that River wear it. He really was desperate for that half-caste grandchild. Just as well the elixir was almost definitely completely useless. That Alchemist didn’t seem like he knew the first thing about anything. He wasn’t even a man yet.
Although, if there was a chance the elixir worked, then he really should get Pip to breathe it in. The sooner she carried his child, the safer his position in the kingdom would be. He glanced again at the King’s sword, a reminder that his current position was far from safe. It was more than possible he’d be put to death in a matter of moments.
He knelt in front of the King and bent his head, hoping to be granted a pardon for the sin he’d never committed. He’d succeeded at his quest! But he kept his mouth silent as he waited.
“Edison,” said the King. “You’ve caused me a sleepless night.”
Edison could guarantee it wasn’t as sleepless as the one he’d just spent, locked inside a cell.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.” He kept his head bowed, afraid if he spoke, he might undo any favorable decision the King may have arrived at overnight.
“As you’re aware, you’ve angered me with—”
“Father!” Pip cried out, making Edison wince. Did she not know how to stay quiet? He tried not to lift his head to scowl at her.
“Philippa, my daughter. One more word from you and I’ll have you removed. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Father,” she whispered.
“Now, where was I?” Edison heard the King crunch down on another carrot. “Yes, you angered me, Edison. You left with a dozen of my most valued Guardians and all that returned, other than yourself, was one injured mule.”
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.” Edison dared to look up at the King, not liking how this was sounding. Perhaps he needed Pip to interrupt, after all.
“But as you pointed out to me, you succeeded in the quest I asked you to complete.” The King smiled. “This pleases me. You made an excellent point yesterday when you said that you managed to do the job of ten men alone. I fear I was too hasty in my judgment of you.”
Edison let out the breath he’d been holding. This sounded more promising.
“Father!” cried Tate.
“I haven’t finished!” The King held up his hand. “As the Princess pointed out to me, she’s become quite… attached to you.”
“I’m attached to her, too, Your Majesty.” Edison looked across at Pip to see her cheeks flush. Putting his head back down, he waited.
“I wouldn’t normally encourage such an attachment. You’re not a…suitable choice… for the Princess. However, you did something that nobody else has been able to achieve for many years now.”
Edison tried to swallow, but his mouth was dry.
“You got Philippa to leave her bedchamber,” said the King. “Which means you’ve succeeded in pleasing me twice.”
“Father, may I speak now?” asked Tate, leaning forward in his seat.
Edison suppressed his eyes from rolling. Just when he was getting somewhere. There was nothing Tate could say to improve his situation here.
“Go ahead.” The King waved a carrot at the Prince.
“I agree that Edison’s life should be spared,” said Tate. “I don’t believe his actions have been severe enough to warrant his death.”
Edison smiled at Tate. Perhaps their childhood friendship meant something to the Prince after all. Or was he doing this for his sister? It was hard to tell.
“However, it’d be wrong to allow him to go back to his life as it was before,” added Tate.
The smile fell from Edison’s face as he steeled himself for Tate’s next words.
“He must be sent far away,” Tate sneered. “To another kingdom, if possible. You can’t allow him to marry Pip!”
“I can’t?” The King raised his eyebrows. “Yet another person telling me how to do my job.”
Edison held his breath as he waited for the King to continue. The last thing he wanted was to be banished from the kingdom! Where would he go? Certainly not to Wintergreen with all those flowers everywhere, or that strange kingdom that whispered for rocks to fall on people’s heads.
“You wanted me to prove to you how I would behave as King,” said Tate, holding his father’s gaze. “And that would be the decision I’d make.”
“Edison will not return to his old life,”
said the King.
“Excellent.” Tate smiled as he crossed his arms.
“But it won’t be the life you suggest,” said the King. “He’ll remain in this kingdom.”
“Father!” Tate stood up.
The King held up his hand for Tate to sit, but he remained with his feet planted on the ground.
“Edison has asked two things of me,” said the King. “Firstly, to marry my daughter. And secondly, to lead our army of Guardians.”
“No!” Now, River leaped from her seat to stand beside Tate. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but that would be a very bad outcome for the Guardians. You said yourself that Edison was responsible for the deaths of the dozen he took with him to Wintergreen.”
Edison winced. Why did everyone have to keep mentioning that!
“River’s right,” said Tate, holding his wife’s hand in a way that seemed far too intimate for two people married for convenience. “How can he be in charge of a whole army, when he failed so badly with only a dozen of them? They’re already dying as it is. We can’t afford for things to get worse.”
Edison cursed under his breath, as he saw the first signs of his special tonic backfiring, when it’d done nothing but serve his purpose so far. Wiping out a few Guardians who deserved no better, and making his mother look incompetent had been easy. Overseeing them to a return to health would be even easier. All he’d need to do was dispose of the responsible tonic. But what if the special tonic was what prevented him from achieving an even greater plan? He’d never forgive himself. It would be like sacrificing a queen to take a pawn. Very poor play indeed.
“It’s no wonder I’ve lost my appetite when I’m surrounded by such fools,” said the King, throwing his bowl to the table with a clatter. “The reason I’m considering Edison’s request is because the Guardians are dying. Things can’t get much worse and he has some bold ideas that may be worth testing.”
Edison let out a slow breath. Maybe the special tonics had been a genius move after all. A move that would allow him to take all his opponent’s pieces in one swoop.
Now Pip rose to her feet. “If Edison succeeds and restores the Guardians to health, then I’d like you to grant him permission to marry me. Please, Father?”
“I’ll commit to no such thing at this stage.” The King shook his head slowly. “Enough decisions have been made for one day.”
“So, what exactly are these bold ideas?” asked Tate, directing his question at Edison.
“I wish to take charge of the tonics by overseeing the herbalist to make some improvements.” Edison tried to decide how many of his ideas he should reveal. Change was often better received when it was meted out, rather than given in one large dose.
“I heard about this,” said Tate. “And it’s ridiculous. How could you possibly claim to know more about the tonics than a woman who’s been making them all her life?”
“How did you hear about it, Tate?” Edison raised his eyebrows in River’s direction. “Did my mother tell you during one of your special visits?”
“Where I get my information is none of your business!” Tate scowled, which lit a spark of joy in Edison’s belly.
“Enough squabbling!” The King rolled his eyes. “Edison believes his skills could be better used to build a stronger army.”
“And what are these skills?” asked River. “He’s only just become a man. And not much of one at that.”
Edison waited for the King to silence her. What position did she hold to insult him? But to his annoyance, she was allowed to get away with her insolence.
“Answer my wife’s question,” said Tate. “What are your skills?”
“I have fresh ideas,” said Edison, being as vague as he could manage. “New approaches.”
The King cleared his throat. “Edison wishes to separate the Guardians into two camps.”
Edison winced at the King’s words, knowing they would cause the animosity he was trying to avoid. “He’ll control their breeding and reformulate their tonics.”
“Their breeding?” River stood, unable to disguise her disgust. “The Guardians are not livestock to be bred. We’re humans, just like you. Humans who’ve dedicated our lives to serving our King. We do it because we have love in our hearts for our kingdom. Treating us like animals will only turn us from soldiers into slaves.”
“You’re no longer a Guardian,” said the King. “This is none of your concern. Please take your seat and be silenced or I’ll have you removed.”
At last, the King had put the freak back in her place. It was just a shame it’d taken so long.
Edison watched River sink into her seat and shake her head, ignoring Tate’s attempts to give her comfort. They were certainly a strange couple. It was just as well their relationship wouldn’t survive long enough for them to bring their half-caste into the world. He knew just the tonic to make sure of it.
“Father,” said Pip, stepping forward. “May I work with Edison? With the tonics, I mean. I’m curious to learn more about them. Otherwise, I’m afraid I’ll lock myself in my room once more.”
“I don’t see why not.” The King picked up his bowl, his appetite seeming to have returned. “Edison, do you have any objections to that?”
Only about a thousand of them. But none he could voice here. “No, Your Majesty.”
“And what about Ariel?” asked Tate. “Where does this leave her?”
“She may continue to work in the kitchen,” said Edison. “Under my watchful eye, of course. There’s plenty of work to be done.”
“She taught you everything you know,” said Tate. “This isn’t right.”
“It’s always unfortunate when the apprentice outgrows his master.” Edison did his best to give Tate a reassuring smile.
And that’s exactly what was happening here. Edison had outgrown not only his master, but the entire kingdom. It was time to shake things up. He’d spent his whole life learning from everyone else. It was time they learned a thing or two from him.
PIP
THE NOW
Pip pulled down her bonnet over her eyes so she could only see her slippered feet treading lightly on the path in front of her.
She’d thought she’d be okay to leave the palace but the reality of it was far more frightening. Perhaps she should’ve asked Tate to escort her, but that would be a bit hard considering she wasn’t talking to him right now.
She could do this. She knew she could. If she just looked down at her feet and pretended she was in her bedchamber, then she’d be all right.
A sparrow darted across the path and she jumped back a step. That didn’t happen in her bedchamber. She was going to have to get used to this, along with a thousand other things.
Slowing her breathing, she pulled her bonnet down once more, ignoring the sweat that’d broken out on her forehead. Maybe she should go back?
She turned around and took a step toward the palace, her racing heart slowing just at the thought of the safety of her bedchamber.
But then she thought of Edison and her steps stopped once more and she turned. It didn’t matter how much this frightened her, she had to press on. The herbalist’s kitchen wasn’t far. She could do this. For Edison. He’d see how brave she was when she had to be.
Besides, she really did want to learn more about the tonics. One of them in particular. She’d been fascinated with them as a child, spending time with Ariel in her kitchen, watching her work her magic. But that was before her mother died. After that, everything had changed.
She took off toward the tavern, keeping her head down and her steps fast. The sooner she got there, the better she’d feel. It wasn’t far. She used to walk this path all the time as a young girl. She could do it again.
Would Ariel recognize her? Probably not. She looked different now. Older. Taller. Bigger in every way possible.
Pip breathed a sigh to reach the tavern and she stepped inside, letting go of her bonnet to clutch at her chest. Having walls around her, made her feel instantly safer. On
ly a few more paces and she’d be at the kitchen.
She kept her head down, unaware if anybody was watching her from one of the tables. She wasn’t here for them. She was here to see Ariel.
The familiar smell of the kitchen rushed up her nostrils, and she felt the years fall away and once again she was a small girl grinning at Ariel from her doorway.
“Pip!” cried Ariel, looking up from her chopping board. “I can’t believe it.”
It seemed Ariel had recognized her after all.
Unexpected tears filled Pip’s eyes to see the woman who’d once been so kind to her. Then remembering what Edison had told her about his mother, she steeled herself against her. She wasn’t here to rekindle a friendship. She was here to learn. Not that Edison seemed to think there was an awful lot his mother could teach her. But he’d said if she learned the basics from her, then he could teach her the refinements.
Ariel went to Pip and put a hand on each of her shoulders, seeming to want to hug her, but sensing that wasn’t what Pip wanted.
“Oh, my poor girl,” said Ariel. “What’s happened to you?”
Pip’s back stiffened at the bluntness of her words.
“This isn’t healthy,” Ariel said. “Look at you! What are they feeding you in that palace.”
“You think I like looking like this?” Years of anger flared in Pip’s chest. “I can’t help it. No matter what I do, I’m still the fattest princess this kingdom has ever seen.”
“Pip, you’re not fat,” said Ariel.
Pip looked to the floor, tired of everyone telling her this. She’d spent her whole life with people telling her she wasn’t fat, but she knew exactly what she was.
“Pip, listen to me. You’re not fat,” Ariel said, again.
“Do you have a tonic to make me thin?” asked Pip, biting down on her tongue. She wasn’t supposed to ask this so soon. Her real reason for wanting to be here was something she’d planned to keep to herself for a little while, and here she was blurting it out at the first moment.
The Kingdoms of Evernow Box Set Page 79
