Love Spell: Book 2 of The Grimm Laws (17 page)

“Enough!” Aalexander’s voice boomed through the hall.

“The Queen forgets herself, your highness,” Wisteria said loud enough to carry through the crowd. “What happened to thy laws and justice? Am I to be tried and sentenced with a single word? Where is the proof?” She shot Aalexander a withering look before turning her attention to Merek. “Tell him, Merek. Tell him what is written in thy precious Grimm Laws.”

Merek leaned in and whispered something to Aalexander who shook his head. They spoke quietly back and forth for a few moments.

“There will be a trial,” Aalexander said. “You and your son will answer these charges. Until then, you will be confined to the West Wing Quarters.”

“Nay!” Loreena snarled. “Put her in the dungeon, I DEMAND IT!”

“Silence!” Alexander roared.

Loreena rocked back, her face ashen.

“You will remain silent, my queen. For the love of all that is holy, I ask thee to hold thy tongue,” he uttered in a hushed tone so that his voice wouldn’t carry. He attempted a smile, but it came across as a grimace. He faced the crowd. “A woman’s love for her son knows no bounds. The queen is overwrought. She forgets her place.” He turned to Wisteria. “You will remain in the West Wing Quarters for the duration of the trial.”

Wisteria lifted her chin. “I demand a word with thee, Aalexander.”

“What you have to say shall be heard by the entire room.” His voice was weary. Loreena smiled. It was beginning already. The witch was losing her control over Aalexander.

“What I have to say is for your ears only.” Wisteria gave Aalexander a meaningful look. “Do not force my hand.”

They locked eyes for a moment while he struggled to reach a decision. “This session of the Royal Court is adjourned. The Royal Council is hereby dismissed.” He stood and walked regally down the steps, carrying his scepter. For a moment, it looked like he might walk past Wisteria without so much as a second glance, but he paused just as he got past her. “I will speak to thee privately in my Cabinet Room,” he said and then continued walking.

Loreena could hardly believe her ears. “What?” she blustered. “Nay!” Tears sprang to her eyes. She was standing up to protest when Seraphina stopped her.

“Do not give her the satisfaction,” Seraphina whispered. “Hold thy chin up high. You are the queen. The only queen. She is insignificant. A pebble in thy shoe that will soon be extracted and thrust to the bottom of the moat. We will destroy her.”

A wave of respect covered Loreena and she looked at the woman beside her with new eyes. She’d underestimated Seraphina. “Aye, you are most correct, of course.” She forced a smile. “‘Twill all be righted … soon.” Even as she spoke the words, she saw Merek step down to where Wisteria was standing. He gave her a royal bow with a flourish of his hand, signifying the highest form of respect given only to dignitaries. Then, he held out his arm to her.

“If ye please, mi’ lady, I will escort thee to the king’s private cabinet.”

W
isteria punched
Alexander’s doorbell and waited. She clenched and unclenched her fists, willing the butterflies in her stomach to be still. As much as she hated to admit it, Ruben’s visit a few hours earlier had left her feeling shaky and unsettled. This new world had made her soft. She detected a subtle shift in the air and forced herself to focus. Even though in this world, she was merely an English teacher by day and a part-time nightclub singer at night, the real essence of herself was still embedded within her. She could feel it and had to find a way to gain access to it. There. She’d felt something. A small sense of triumph bubbled in her chest even as the feeling of being watched settled over her. Chills ran down her spine as she turned and scoped the empty yard, wondering where the spy was hiding. She looked up at the maple tree in the center of the yard, and then she saw it, about midway up and perched on a branch was a large black bird, watching her intently. She looked into those cold, bleak eyes, contemplating what she wanted to say to the bird or rather what message she wanted to convey to Griselda when the door opened. Not wanting to take her eye off the bird, she kept her back to Alexander.

He stepped up beside her. “Wisteria. What’s going on?”

She pointed. “There, Griselda has sent her spy to keep tabs on us.”

“What? Are you sure?”

“Look, in the tree.”

The leaves began to rustle furiously, and then they saw the bird lift up and fly away.

Alexander rubbed his chin, looking doubtful. “How do you know it wasn’t just a plain blackbird?”

“Because I felt it watching me,” she snapped. “I felt it through my senses.”

He looked at her. “Senses, meaning magic?”

She nodded.

“But you don’t have any magic in this world.”

She rolled her eyes. “My magic may be latent, but it’s still there. I can feel it. I forced myself to concentrate—to tap into that inner part of myself, and that’s when I discovered the bird.” She motioned to the open door. “There’s more. Let’s go inside and discuss it.”

“Um … now isn’t a good time.”

She looked through the door and into the foyer. Then she got a good look at Alexander. He looked nervous—really nervous. “What’s going on?” She frowned. “Are you hiding something from me?”

“Heavens, no!” he answered quickly.

It hit her then. She didn’t trust him—not fully. So much had happened between them—they’d wounded each other too deeply. Maybe there was no hope of reconciliation. The knowledge settled over her like a dark cloud obscuring the sun, and she wondered where it was they were supposed to go from here. Their destinies were intertwined in this world. That was done, and it couldn’t be undone. To complicate matters, they had a son together. No matter what her personal feelings were, she would forge any alliance necessary in order to protect him. It seemed so ironic that despite everything, a part of her still loved Alexander. If only her heart could borrow a smidgen of practicality from her head then she might stand a chance against him. Her gaze took in his rugged features and light hair that was now peppered with gray. It was a little thinner than it had been in his youth, but not much. He was still as trim and fit as he’d been when she first met him, and had the cultured look of a man who’d transitioned gracefully into middle age. If anything, he was even more attractive now than he’d been in his youth. There was a sense of casual confidence and power in the firm set of his jaw that commanded respect. He was every bit as kingly here as he’d been in the old world. It was no wonder that Ruben hated him so. It was as if the sun itself had swooped down from its lofty place and touched him for greatness.

He was fidgeting and chewing on the inside of his lip—something he did frequently when he was nervous or backed into a corner. She stepped in closer to him. “Is Ruben here?”

His face drained. “Why would you ask such a question?”

“Because he came to me, that’s why!”

He caught her arm. “What?” A murderous expression came over his face. “Did he hurt you?”

“No, but you are.”

“What?”

She looked down at her arm that he was clutching for all it was worth.

“Oh, sorry.” He loosened his grip, but he still held onto her. She noticed that he’d stepped closer to her, almost as though he were trying to protect her. The tiniest spark of warmth rose in her breast. It had been so much easier to hate him in the other world, when they were surrounded by castles, dragons, and dungeons.

“Ruben is what I came to talk to you about.” She looked meaningfully at the open space around them, which was starting to feel menacing. “I don’t want to have this conversation out here. Too many listening ears.”

“Of course … but …”

There it was … that hesitation. What was going on? She narrowed her eyes and then pushed past him and into the open door before he could stop her.

He hurried behind her. “Wisteria … there’s something I need to tell you …”

“Alexander, is that Edward?”

The voice came from inside the house—a voice that Wisteria instantly recognized, one she could’ve gone a lifetime without ever hearing again. Her blood curdled as she stopped dead in her tracks, causing Alexander to barrel into the back of her. She spun around, her eyes smoldering. “Is that who I think it is?”

“Um … yeah.” He winced. “But I didn’t invite her here. She just showed up out of the blue. She said she came to see Edward.”

Wisteria crossed her arms tightly over her chest, preparing herself to battle. “Of course, she did.”

Alexander tugged at her sleeve, his eyes wide. “Go easy on her, she doesn’t remember anything from before.”

She let out a sarcastic laugh as her lips formed a snarky smile. “Oh, you can rest assured that I’ll give that twit exactly what she deserves. My only regret is that I haven’t yet been able to access my magic.”

“But—”

“Save your breath, Alexander!” she cut in, holding up her hand in a warning. “This is between me and her!”

He blew out a defeated breath.

She straightened her shoulders and strode like a queen into the combination kitchen and den to where Loreena was sitting on the leather sofa. Loreena’s eyes went wide, and she looked Wisteria up and down—no doubt sizing up the competition. It was obvious that she’d not expected to see someone of Wisteria’s caliber waltzing in with Alexander. The stupefied expression on her face was so comical that it was almost worth coming into contact with the wretched woman again just to see it.

Wisteria cocked her head and eyed Loreena coldly. “Alexander, darling, aren’t you going to do the introductions?” she said sweetly, making sure to emphasize the word
darling
.

He shot Wisteria a warning look, which she blatantly ignored. “Um, Loreena, I’d like for you to meet my …” he shifted, looking for the right word “… my … um …”

“His significant other,” Wisteria inserted, catching his arm.

An open look of disapproval came over Loreena’s features as a furrow appeared between her brows. “Oh, I was under the impression that you were unattached.”

“Well, you were mistaken,” Wisteria said, arching an eyebrow.

“So it would seem,” Loreena countered crisply.

“Wisteria, this is Loreena, my ex wife. She just arrived from California and dropped by to see Edward.”

Wisteria chuckled inwardly, noting how he’d made sure to include the part about her coming to see Edward, although judging by the short skirt, heels, and tight blouse she was wearing, it was clear that she’d come to make a play for Alexander. The Loreena in the other world was pampered and spoiled. She took note of Loreena’s expensive clothes, tanned face and perfectly manicured acrylic nails—a high maintenance woman. Then she zoned in on her flaws—hair over processed and splitting on the ends, pronounced wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. An overall harsh look that said the world wasn’t treating her too kindly.

Loreena seemed to pale slightly under Wisteria’s bold scrutiny. She met Wisteria’s gaze and held it in a challenge. “You’re looking at me rather strangely, almost as though you know me. Have we met?”

Wisteria laughed. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, I was just wondering how much older you are than Alexander.”

A scowl twisted over Loreena’s face. “I’m not!”

“Really? Oh.” She frowned. “Looking at you … I could’ve sworn.”

Loreena put a self-conscious hand to her face.

“Oops, I’m so sorry,” Wisteria gushed, feigning embarrassment. She turned to Alexander who was looking like he wanted to strangle her. “I thought that’s what you told me, darling.” She forced a laugh. “You are such a kidder.”

At a loss for words, he merely stood there.

Wisteria linked her arm through Alexander’s. “Isn’t he wonderful? I don’t know how you ever let him get away.” She flashed Loreena an innocent smile. “But I’m so glad you did.” She looked up at Alexander. “Darling, we’re being rude—standing while Loreena is sitting. Come, let’s sit down.” Keeping a firm hold on Alexander’s arm, she maneuvered him over to the love seat facing the sofa where she snuggled up close to him.

“So, how did you two meet?” Loreena wanted to know. She’d scooted to the edge of her seat and was looking so uncomfortable that Wisteria had the impression she was sitting on a pincushion.

“That’s a great story, isn’t it Alexander? Should I tell her how we met, or should you?”

“I’ll tell her,” he said quickly.

She nodded, amusement tingeing her features.

“Wisteria applied for a teaching position at my school.” He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. “And the rest is history, as they say.”

“You make it sound so dry, Alexander.” She gave Loreena a conspiratorial look as she slipped her arm around Alexander’s waist. “This guy is the ultimate romantic.” She relished the way Loreena’s face went rigid. “Oh, yes, he took me to this little Italian restaurant. You know, the intimate kind with the chairs close together and the candles on the table. From the moment we laid eyes on each other, we had this attraction so intense you could cut it with a knife. And then we started talking and our souls just connected.” She cut her eyes at Alexander, batting her eyelashes. “It was like we’d known each other forever.”

“How nice for you,” Loreena said in a cutting tone.

Wisteria’s eyes locked with hers. “Yes, it was nice for us. My throat is parched.” She extricated herself from Alexander and stood. “Would either of you like a drink of water?”

“No thanks,” Loreena and Alexander said in unison.

“Very well.” Wisteria glanced at the clock, hanging in the kitchen. “You know, on second thought, I need to be going. I have some errands to take care of.”

Alexander hastily got to his feet. “You’re leaving?” He leaned down and spoke into her ear. “But we have much to discuss.” He caught her arm. “I can’t let you leave … it’s not safe.”

She caressed his jaw with the tips of her fingers. “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll be fine.” Then, before he could back away, she put her arms around his neck and gave him a long, drawn-out kiss on the lips. The old familiar flame leapt up between them, and when she let him go, she could see the flicker of desire in his eyes, mingled with the discomfort he felt over Loreena being there, watching the entire thing with a haughty astonishment. Wisteria winked and gave him a pat on the cheek. “That will tide you over until later on.” She cast a triumphant glance at Loreena. “When we’re alone.”

Loreena stood. There was a perturbed expression on her face as she stood there awkwardly, looking like she wished to be anywhere but there at the moment. “Don’t rush off on my account, I need to be going. And judging by the way you two are going at it, if I hang around much longer, I might get a show I don’t want to see.”

The remark was meant as a cut, but it came out sounding lame when Wisteria let out a sultry chuckle. “Yes, you certainly might. This guy is quite the tiger.”

Alexander pulled at the collar of his shirt before giving her a look that could kill.

“Well,
tiger …
” The words dripped like acid from Loreena’s mouth as she gave Alexander a cold look. “I’m staying at the Residence Inn. Have Edward call me when he gets home. It was nice meeting you, Wisteria.” She looked thoughtful. “I get this funny feeling that we’ve met before, but I can’t remember where.”

Wisteria tucked a curl behind her ear and flashed a smile. “Oh, I’m sure it’ll come to you eventually.”

“Yeah, I’m sure it will.”

A couple of minutes later, after Loreena had left, Alexander turned to Wisteria. “Was that really necessary?” He shook his head, giving her a disgusting look.

She laughed lightly. “You know what they say … what comes around goes around.” Her eyes flashed with anger. “And, considering what that woman put me through, I’d say she got off easy!” She directed a death glare at him. “For her sake, she’d better hope that she came here only to see Edward.”

Alexander gave her a calculating look. Then he made a show of looking her up and down, his heated eyes settling on her lips. “So, does this mean you’re jealous? Should we pick up where we left off? That was some kiss,” he murmured, reaching for her hand.

She jerked it out of his grasp. “Don’t count on it!”

“So that display really was all for Loreena,” he said bitterly. “Did our time together in this world mean nothing to you?”

A dull headache was throbbing against her brow, and she began massaging her temples as she sat down on the loveseat. “Can we not talk about this right now? We have more important things to discuss?”

He spread his hands in defeat. “Fine let’s discuss the more important things.”

She noticed that he sat down next to her on the loveseat, rather than across from her. She started to make a fuss about it, but then decided to let it go. After all, they’d wasted enough time already on Loreena. It was imperative that they come up with a plan that would protect them from Ruben and Griselda. Ruben’s visit was the first warning of impending doom. The wolves were circling around and baring their ugly fangs. It would only be a matter of time before they attacked full force, and they had to be ready. She only wished she knew what it was they were supposed to be ready for. They were sitting ducks, and she had no magic to protect them. An ominous shiver ran down her spine. This new world had made her soft. She’d been consumed with a silly job, a mortgage, car payment, the Internet—all of those mundane things that were such a large part of this world. The old world seemed almost like a work of fiction or a dream, but it wasn’t. It was real and so was Griselda. She knew how merciless Griselda was. It was imperative that she access that ruthless part of herself—the magical part that might stand a sliver of a chance against Griselda. But how? How could she do it?