Mischievous Prince

by Michelle M. Pillow

  His breathing became heavy. She grabbed the door frame and held tight, resisting. When he looked at her, though, it wasn’t with anger it was with panic. He looked as if he wanted to speak, but he couldn’t make the words come out. “Now. Wash. Poison.”

  “Pois…?” Sadie glanced over her shoulder to the food. “Poison!”

  She let go of the door frame, surging past him to the bathtub. She dipped her fingers into the warm bathwater while wiping her mouth on her sleeve.

  “The seed of the Yellow is poisonous,” Finn managed. “Did they give one to Eve?”

  Sadie shook her head in denial.

  “Good.” Finn nodded as if still trying to catch his breath.

  “The Yellow?” Sadie couldn’t imagine who would want to poison her. She tried to remember who had handed her the seed, but the faces were a blur. There had been a rush of them come to greet her, and many of the names were pronounced in such a fashion she would need more practice to recognize them.

  “It is a green plant with a yellow center that grows low to the ground near the Var borderlands. I believe you’d call it a fern. The pollen causes sleep if you inhale it. The seeds are poisonous if consumed. Even children know not to mess with the Yellow.”

  “I’m not a child,” Sadie quipped. His tone irritated her. “How was I to know?”

  “I didn’t mean that you were a child,” Finn dismissed. “You said a man called you a gwobr?”

  Sadie nodded.

  “That is mostly a Var word, and the Yellow grows by the Var borders.” Finn took a deep breath. She could see his mind working, but he wasn’t forthcoming with his conclusions.

  “Are you saying one of the cat-shifters tried to kill me?” Sadie kept her hands in the water and again wiped her mouth on her sleeve. “Does this have something to do with Ivar?”

  His expression answered for him.

  “They think I’m responsible for Ivar becoming stuck on Earth? Don’t they see I am stuck on Quirlixen?”

  “Stuck?” Finn repeated. He took a step away from her. His eyes moved to her mouth and then her sleeve. She glanced down to see a small smear of blood where he’d accidentally struck her lips while trying to knock the poison out of her grasp. His hands clutched into fists, and he held them close to his body. “I should not have hurt you.”

  “It’s fine. Thanks for not letting me eat poison.” She remained bent over, her shaking hands immersed in the refreshing natural spring bathtub.

  “Those are probably clean.” He gestured to the water.

  She stood up slowly. Water dripped over her pants, but she didn’t care. “I think it’s time you told me everything that’s going on. I can tell that something happened at that meeting. And someone tried to poison me, and there are apparently rumors that I’m a goblin. I think I have a right to know.”

  “Gwobr,” he corrected. “It means witch.”

  “So much better,” she drawled sarcastically. Sadie left the bathroom and moved back toward the food. She didn’t touch any of it. What had been the object of her curiosity before, she now avoided like the plague. “If I remember my history lessons correctly, the last time your people lived on Earth witches were being burned alive at the stake.”

  Finn went to the wardrobe and came back with a piece of parchment. He wrote something down, folded it, and went to the door. He disappeared outside for a few moments before returning without the note. He answered as if he’d never left, “I did not wish to worry you.”

  “Too late. I’m worried,” she said. “Actually, I’m a little terrified. I’ve had bad food before, but this gives new meaning to what we call on Earth food poisoning. What was that note about?”

  “I had to report this to the king and queen. We’re going to have to stay here until we know it’s safe.” Finn disappeared into his kitchen and returned with a cloth. He picked up the seed and wrapped it before running his hand over the wall. A small panel opened, and he tossed it inside. Then, systematically, he began clearing the table and throwing the food away. When he’d finished, he took a seat on the couch and eyed her expectantly.

  Sadie approached slowly, remembering the last time they’d been on the couch together. Fear and desire were odd companions. Even so, she couldn’t help thinking of his mouth against hers, and his hands on her body. Her flesh tingled with anticipation, causing a tinge of need in her stomach.

  “They do not blame you for Ivar. They blame me. I think this attack on you was a way to get at me. If the cat-shifters believe that I am responsible for the loss of their prince, they will seek to punish me by hurting you.” Finn didn’t move to touch her. His eyes turned downward. “As a positive, I think the plan worked. Your being here has convinced my parents to leave the portal open with stricter regulations. It was what was needed. The dragon people will have a chance at a future. And, Ivar being away will ensure the Var support this decision, at least in the short-term.”

  “And the negative?” she asked.

  “The negative?” Finn frowned.

  “The downside or, the cons, the bad thing about…” Sadie tried to explain.

  “Oh, the cons as in the pros and cons, I remember that from the intergalactic broadcasts Kyran and I watched.” For a moment, Finn’s expression relayed that he forgot the predicament they were in.

  It was enough for Sadie to see a softer, real him.

  “You really are a nice guy,” Sadie whispered, as she looked at him.

  “What?” Finn should have heard her easily, but apparently wanted to make her repeat herself.

  “I said you’re a nice guy,” Sadie said. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I know you were just trying to save my life.”

  Her words must have reminded Finn about the serious nature of what had happened. “I promise we will discover who did this and they will be punished. It is a grave offense to try to poison the wife of a prince. The very thought of it makes me ill.”

  “Why would someone want me dead? I just arrived here.”

  “The Draig and Var were already fighting over the portals—cats and dragons who are eager to run through, others who want it caved in, those who leave the planet and do not return, purists who do not like the idea of mating with humans, heretics who think we defy the gods by not sitting back and waiting for women to fall like rain from the sky. Then there are the cats who want freer access and are angry that the portals are on dragon land and under our control. Dragons are angry that cats think they have the right since dragons have had the risk of guarding the portal on our land for centuries. There are so many voices yelling that none of them are heard, so they scream louder and louder and angrier and angrier. I fear this decision will cause yelling to turn into action. Those who do want the portal open will fight it. Those who want to go through will find issue with the regulations. Even the royals and the elders are divided on this.” Finn closed his eyes and leaned back on the couch. “And I did not help matters today.”

  “Finn, what happened at that meeting?” Sadie lightly touched his cheek.

  He stiffened as if startled by the contact and looked at her. “I shamed us. I attacked Lord Montague.”

  Sadie dropped her hand to rest on his chest. His breathing was even under her fingers. She didn’t believe for a moment he’d done anything so bad as to cause the forlorn look on his face. “Why did you attack him?”

  “He spoke out of turn.”

  “About?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” He sat forward, forcing her hand to drop away from him. “I should not have lost my temper in the council hall, not with so much at stake. Already rumors about Ivar are out of control. I had hoped we could talk to Gudmund to get them stopped before they spread, but it may be too late. This attack on you only proves tensions are escalating.”

  “Why Gudmund?”

  “We have concluded that he may be the one speaking out of turn,” Finn said. His eyes narrowed as he studied her. “Why? Did you feel something when he looked at you?

  Sadie frowned and said
nothing. She lightly touched her lip.

  “What?”

  Sadie shrugged. “I don’t know. He didn’t seem like that type to me. Everything he said and did appear to be in an effort to protect you.”

  “Only a few knew the details that are now being whispered amongst the people,” Finn said. “Someone had to tell them.”

  “If you say its Gudmund, I’ll believe you. I don’t know the man and have no reason to persecute or defend him.”

  “You have no feelings for Gudmund? You are certain?”

  Sadie arched a brow. “Why would I? I met him all of two seconds. Honestly, I would have guessed it was that Cleve guy. He appeared a little too eager to be involved. He kept trying to put himself in your eye line like he wanted to be noticed. I’ve seen it before when people try to get the attention of the commanding officer. He seems like the type who would talk out of turn to anyone of power he’d think would listen. I wouldn’t be surprised if he told Montague everything.”

  Finn stared at her.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” Sadie leaned away.

  “Because all of that makes sense.” Finn slid to the floor and knelt before her. His eyes peered into hers, their golden depths pleading before he even opened his mouth. “Lady Sadie, you show great insight into the character of people, and much honor in your words to the queen when she questioned you. Lesser women would have panicked, but you stood up to one of the scariest dragons I have ever met. I have never met a woman like you. I believe the gods sent you to me for a reason.”

  “Finn, I…” Her breath caught, and she couldn’t form words. Emotions welled within her, strong, powerful ones—capable of defying all logic and sense. She believed he was put in her path for a reason.

  “I know you have every right to demand a one-way trip back to Earth, and I have no right to deny you. I also have no right to ask this of you, especially after your life was just put at risk, but will you please come with me to meet the Var royal family? Help me explain what happened to their son. Help us avoid a war.” Finn walked on his knees until he was next to her. He placed his forehead on her lap. “Please help me save my people, Sadie.”

  What she felt for him was too real to ignore, and yet he’d been clear that he would never feel the same way.

  I am not Finn’s true mate.

  Each time she thought of the statement, the raw truth hurt worse than the time before.

  13

  Finn couldn’t let go of Sadie’s leg as he gripped her calf. The idea of her leaving caused an ache in his chest that made it hard to breathe. “Please help me save my people, Sadie.”

  She didn’t answer, and he wasn’t sure she could hear his muffled words. What right did he have to ask it of her? He’d been a rash fool with Montague, attacking the man as he had. He should have shoved Ivar through the portal when he had the chance. If Finn were trapped on Earth now, none of this would be happening. Ivar would be home. The portals would be open. The letter he’d left would have kept tensions from flaring between the two sides.

  Finn worried about Ivar, alone without funds on a planet the cat-shifter was not fond of. He worried about his friend’s future. And now, someone had tried to poison Sadie because of his bad choices. The guilt was almost too much to bear.

  “I only wanted to save my people,” Finn said. “All I have done has been in service to that goal.”

  Fingers lightly caressed the back of his head, stroking his hair in an understanding manner.

  “Perhaps Montague is right about me. I’m impertinent and unfit to rule a kingdom.” Finn wasn’t sure what caused him to confess as much out loud to Sadie. The embarrassment was hard to admit to even himself. “I am the mischievous prince, rarely taking anything seriously and I ruin everything I touch. I’m not fit to rule.”

  “Well, like my father used to tell me, if this is the path you are choosing then you’re probably right. You had best just give up now and stop making an ass of yourself by trying,” Sadie said.

  Finn frown and lifted his head. It wasn’t exactly the wifely advice he’d been expecting.

  “What?” Sadie asked though the word sounded like a question. “You’re having a pity party. I will not join you there.”

  “A pity…?” Finn’s frown deepened.

  “You thought I’d say something like, it’s all going to be fine?”

  “Well…” Finn gave a small nod in the affirmative. “Yes.”

  “Yeah, not going to happen. All that is true, but I won’t do you the disservice of helping you wallow and feel sorry for yourself. So what if Montague is a jerk? Nothing we can do about that. Montague is an asshole’s asshole. He lives to be miserable, and you know what they say about misery.”

  Sadie spoke with such confidence. Finn found himself fascinated by the rhythm and flow of their chatter. It didn’t matter that he was unaccustomed to her earth dialogue and references.

  “No, I don’t know what they say about misery,” he prompted

  “Sorry. I keep on using these awful clichés.” Sadie waved a hand in dismissal.

  “I liked the way you speak. So, tell me about misery.” Finn tried to smile.

  “Misery likes company. Monty is angry at everything and wants others to join him in his miserable existence. If you obsess over a few names that some jackass with a god complex called you, then he’s right. If you’re going to let his words stop you from doing what you must, then he’s right. You’re not fit to be a leader. And that’s fine. Not everyone was meant to be in charge. Some people need to be liked and don’t want to make waves, and that works for them.” Sadie took a deep breath and reached to hold his face, forcing his eyes to hers. “My advice would be, don’t listen to him. You’re a great prince. You didn’t do anything to deserve his bullying.”

  Finn didn’t move as he gazed into her eyes.

  “If you are the prince I suspect you are, then you need to stop feeling sorry for yourself. Where is the man who came to Earth to save his people?”

  Finn took a deep breath. “I am here.”

  “Good. It took courage to jump into a portal, to defy the elders, to plan to stay on a foreign planet with no one to help you. You need to pick yourself up and get ready to fight anyone who stands in the way of your goal. Saving your people. That is what matters. Not Montague. Not what anyone says about you, or what they try to do to me, or anything else. Be the prince. Save the dragon people. Look at all you have accomplished. The portals will remain open. You did what you set out to do.”

  “You are not angry that I fought Montague in the council hall?”

  “Not at all,” Sadie said. “I don’t encourage physical violence, but if you tell me he deserved it, I believe you.”

  “He did,” Finn thought.

  “I believe you,” she said. “And as far as Ivar is concerned, I have a feeling he can take care of himself. He’ll be just fine on Earth. In a year, we’ll go get him.”

  “We? Do you mean that?” he thought.

  “Yes, I…” Sadie frowned. She looked at his lips. She jerked away from him, pressing back into the couch. “What the hell?”

  “You heard that?” Finn asked in amazement. “You hear me?”

  “What is going on here?” she answered, not speaking.

  “You chose.” He grinned.

  “Are you just saying things, or are you in my head?” Sadie tensed. This was not the reaction he expected at such a glorious moment.

  “We are in each other’s heads,” he said. “Listen, hear me inside of you, let me hear you inside of me.”

  Sadie shot up from the couch in a violent fashion, scrambling over the back of the furniture to land in an awkward pile on the floor. Finn stood over her. She crawled backward, pushing her hands behind her back and her heels into the floor, to get away from him.

  “Sadie?”

  “Eve said I wouldn’t change. Humans don’t change. Why are you in my head?” Her chest rose and fell in deep breaths. Her lips opened and closed, but no so
und came out. The connection between them was becoming stronger and her voice inside his mind clearer. “This is too much. I don’t want you to hear my thoughts. Get out. Get out. Get out. Get…”

  Finn wasn’t sure what to do. The fact she heard him, and he her, meant they were supposed to be together. This changed everything, clarified everything. “Damn my inner, broken dragon. What does that creature know? I should have been listening to my heart all along, Sadie. I knew I felt something when I first saw you. I don’t know why it took me this long to realize it.”

  “It has only been like a week,” Sadie mumbled as if confused and trying to make sense out of what was happening.

  “I know, I’m sorry. It should not have taken me so long,” Finn apologized. “I have no excuse for being so slow to tell you I love you.”

  “It’s only been a week,” Sadie repeated. She remained in a strange position on the floor, but at least she stopped crawling away from him. Her breathing eased somewhat.

  “I have no reasoning for it, only that guilt over what happened with Ivar kept me from allowing myself to find happiness with you. I hit my head. That could have played a part. Or perhaps I am broken. When I almost died as a child in Crystal Lake, it might have damaged the shifter part of me that would know my mate.” Happiness bubbled up inside of him, and he could hardly contain his excitement. He wanted to scream his good fortune from the top of the palace so the whole planet could hear. “But I know now. You are meant to be my wife. The gods urged Ivar to throw you in after me. They knew what I did not. You are my mate, Sadie, my only wife. I love you.”

  Sadie relaxed as she sat forward. Her words were soft and hesitant. “Did you say you love me? I thought you said you couldn’t care for me like that. You said…”

  “I’m a fool,” Finn said. “And you are right. I had to get people like Montague’s opinion of me out of my head. I am no longer the mischievous boy running around the countryside. I am a prince, your prince if you will but have me.”

  Sadie trembled as she stood to her feet. He didn’t want her to fear him.