The Wolf Prince (13 page)

So she had sensed something about Chad. “Why do you say that?” he asked, hoping she’d elaborate.

“I don’t know. But something about him reminds me of my sister,” she said darkly.

The page, having proceeded several feet without them, turned and waited impatiently for them to catch up.

At the door to the throne room, she left them, whispering a quick “Good luck” to Willow, who winced.

“Are you ready?” Willow asked, the slight tremor in her voice the only hint of her agitation.

He nodded and they stepped inside.

* * *

Once inside the space she privately thought of as the display room, Willow marched up the carpet—red, of course—with Ruben at her side. Though she would have liked nothing better than to take his hand in hers as a visible show of support, she knew such a gesture could be viewed in a wrong way. She didn’t want to take a chance of doing anything that could jeopardize Ruben’s position.

“We have given thought to your request to be allowed to question our people,” King Puck intoned.

Willow noted how her mother’s smile dripped with malice and stiffened. This was so not going to be pleasant.

“I have decided to allow you, Prince Ruben of Teslinko, to conduct your investigation,” the king continued. “You may search not only in the lands that immediately surround our castle, but all of our lands, all the way to those that border the four directions.”

So far so good. Again, Willow glanced at her mother. The queen looked positively gleeful.

“Thank you, your Highness.” Ruben executed a perfect bow. “If I may, I’ll start with your castle this very night. I should be done before dawn, at which point, if I’ve found nothing here, I’ll make ready to get on my way.”

“I’m not finished,” King Puck said, his arrogant tone grating on Willow’s nerves. “I will allow you to proceed with some conditions. First, our visiting EastWard prince, Prince Chad, has asked that he be allowed to accompany you once you go outside the castle. I have also decided to honor his request.”

Chad? What in the shades...? Willow exchanged a glance with Ruben. Judging from the hard set of his jaw, he was as displeased—and shocked—as she was.

Chad had outplayed them. The question was, why would Chad even want to accompany them? Willow looked up to find Queen Millicent watching her closely, her bright violet eyes glinting with spite. As she surveyed her mother, Willow realized the woman knew she’d planned to go along with Ruben.

Even so, why Chad?

And what of Chad? Glancing over her shoulder, she saw him standing in the back of the room, stone-faced, arms crossed, his dimmed-down beauty looking slightly out of place despite his tanned skin and purple eyes.

For the first time, she realized what others saw when they looked at her. Even though her eyes were brown and her skin dusky, she must look out of place to all the fair-haired, violet-eyed Brights.

As she met his gaze, he dropped his gaze. She couldn’t read his expression so she had no way of knowing what he was thinking. Since they’d just run into him a short while ago and he hadn’t seen fit to mention this, she had to think he had some other reason for asking to accompany Ruben.

Did he know she planned to go, too? Was his sudden desire to assist Ruben based in a fear that he’d lose her?

Somehow she doubted that. The one thing she sensed Chad had in abundance was confidence.

“I’d be happy to accept all the assistance you are willing to offer,” Ruben said.

The king shook his head. “I have asked him to keep an eye on you. You are an outsider in our land and I know your father would want us to make sure you stay safe.”

From the back of the room, someone made a sound. Everyone turned, only to see Tatiana striding up the red carpet as though on a mission.

As Willow watched Tatiana storm to the front of the room, she wondered what else could go wrong.

When she reached the front of the room, Tatiana stopped a respectful distance from the dais. “I request permission to go, too,” she declared.

Narrow eyed, the queen tilted her head. “What nonsense is this? You have too much to do planning your wedding to indulge in such foolishness.”

Since her sister was not used to being denied anything, Willow braced herself for the fireworks.

“Mother, the wedding is not for another year,” Tatiana pleaded. “Allow me one final adventure before I settle down to a life of married bliss.”

Willow began chewing her thumbnail before she realized and forced her hand back down. The old habit, a relic from childhood, had been expressly forbidden by her mother.

Tatiana and the queen locked gazes. Willow couldn’t believe it. Shadows help her, but her parents appeared to be seriously considering Tatiana’s request.

No way in Darkness. If Queen Millicent allowed Tatiana to go, then Ruben would never find the killer. Her sister would prove not only distracting, but a major inconvenience. Out among her own people Tatiana would expect to be treated with all the status a visiting member of royalty should receive.

Plus, Tatiana would drive Willow absolutely crazy.

Glancing sideways at Ruben, Willow prayed he’d speak up. He swallowed, opening his mouth, and then Chad interrupted him.

“A manhunt is no place for a woman,” Chad declared.

Willow nearly groaned out loud. Making such a statement in her mother’s presence nearly guaranteed Tatiana would be allowed to attend.

“Not just that,” Chad continued, apparently unaware of the dangerous ground he now tread. “But from what I’ve seen of your lovely daughter, she is used to the finest delicacies and a life of luxury. As she should be. This journey will be arduous and lacking in those very things.”

“I agree,” King Puck began.

“I do not.” Standing, Queen Millicent placed her hands on her hips and glared, first at her husband, then Chad and finally Ruben. “I feel we should let her go. This will be a character-building exercise for our precious daughter.”

A character-building exercise? What?

A hush fell over the room while the king deliberated. Willow knew how much they valued her sister, so she doubted they’d give in to Tatiana’s request. Would they?

Queen Millicent shot her husband a glowering look and Willow’s heart sank. She knew what that meant. The king had better give in or his wife would spend the next several weeks making sure his life was a living hell.

Yet why would the queen risk her precious first born? Unless...she had ulterior motives. Did she have some sort of plan?

“Tatiana may go,” the king declared.

The queen flashed a brilliant smile. “I agree. As long as Prince Eric goes, as well.”

Just like that, Tatiana’s triumphant grin faded as she realized her mother had something up her sleeve.

“Eric?” she echoed, sounding dazed. “I’m sure he—”

“Would welcome the opportunity to go on such a heroic quest,” Chad put in smoothly. “I feel quite certain that I can speak for my brother here. He will be delighted to accompany Prince Ruben.”

Obviously Queen Millicent had noted Tatiana’s apparent reluctance to be around her fiancé. She’d made sure they’d spend time together, increasing the odds of cementing the deal.

And so it was accomplished. Nothing was mentioned about Willow, but then nothing had to be. Plainly, no one cared whether or not she tagged along with the others. Dejected, she nonetheless straightened her shoulders and hurried out of the throne room, right behind Ruben.

“Ruben, wait. We need to talk,” she said, pitching her voice low so that it wouldn’t carry. She glanced around, making sure there were no eavesdroppers. “Quickly.”

Ruben appeared dazed and waited until she caught him. She grabbed his sleeve, tugging him along after her to a small alcove filled with two overstuffed golden chairs and an enormous arrangement of yellow and orange flowers.

“Please, sit.” She indicated one of the chairs.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, remaining standing and sounding impatient. “Not only do I need to begin my search of the castle, but I’ve got to go pack. Though I said morning, I’d really like to leave before nightfall.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked, stunned that he didn’t see. “First off, it’s going to take you more than a few hours to search the castle.”

“Not really. Most of your people have attended every single audience with your parents. I’ve been looking through them all and have seen no one who resembles the man I saw following you.”

“Even so.” She took a deep breath. “Once we leave the castle, we have to take Chad and Tatiana with us. That’s what’s wrong. Do you have any idea how awful this is going to be? My sister is...” Words failed her.

Rather than agreeing with her, he glared at her. The cold set of his handsome features made him look aristocratic and unapproachable. “I fail to see how having them help out will be any worse than simply you and I. I need Chad.”

“Why?”

“Manpower,” he answered shortly. “And magic. Though I don’t know this Eric, I’m glad to have him, too.”

Magic
. The instant he had said the word—in truth—she realized he was right. He did need Chad and Eric and Tatiana more than he needed her. She had absolutely no magic. They did.

Before she could tell him that he was right, he grimaced. “If I have to worry about protecting you women, I’ll need all the help I can get. At least this way, you can entertain your sister and vice versa.”

She was unable to believe what she’d just heard and gaped at him for a moment. “Me? Entertain Tatiana?” She snorted, beyond caring if she sounded ladylike or not. “That’s not going to happen. I’d rather ride into a hive of angry bees.”

Surprise registered on his face before he thought to school his expression back to completely emotionless. That’s when she realized the truth. Ruben was trying awfully hard to stay uninvolved.

Proving it, he shrugged carelessly. “Yeah, but that’s life. If I had my choice, I’d prefer to do this alone.”

Even though she understood his reasoning, his words hurt, to a point. She faced him, and a tiny flash of anger blossomed. “You would? Well, you know what? Good luck with Chad and my sister. I’m going to wash my hands of both you and your expedition.”

With that, she walked away, leaving him to his fate.

Chapter 13

T
he instant he so callously dismissed Willow, Ruben realized he’d made a mistake. He saw how his cold words had wounded her and wished he could call them back.

Why had he hurt her? The bigger question was
how?
Had it been because of the kiss they’d shared? Even so, she barely knew him. Why did she care what he thought?

Watching her as she strode away, her back ramrod straight, he shook his head. Though he got an uneasy feeling around the other man, the truth of the matter was he felt Chad would be a much bigger help than Willow or her older sister. In fact, he planned to grab Chad and make arrangements to leave the castle post haste, without Tatiana. Or Willow, for that matter.

Though his decision sat like a rock in his gut, he’d stick by it. Thus completely sure of his fate, he did nothing to stop Willow as she stormed away.

Oddly enough, he missed her. Which was, of course, ridiculous.

An hour later, packed and ready, he went out in search of Chad. Despite petitioning the king to accompany him, the EastWard prince seemed to have disappeared. Ruben chanced upon Tatiana and Eric, who were engaged in a vigorous debate over the merits of their little adventure, as Eric put it. Apparently Eric wanted to travel with his full retinue while Tatiana wanted to rough it.

Would wonders never cease? Ruben would have expected the opposite. They were so involved in their bickering that neither one noticed him.

Wisely, he backed away, taking care to remain unnoticed. He realized perhaps he’d been a bit hasty in his thinking of who would make good traveling companions. If he could only find Chad, they might have a chance of conducting a quick but thorough search of the castle and still getting away without Eric and Tatiana.

But Chad had vanished. In fact, the large glittering castle appeared surprisingly empty. Ruben didn’t know if everyone was still in the dining hall or had gone to the throne room, but he didn’t care. The less people, the less likelihood that he’d be stopped before he made it out.

Of course the later the hour grew, the more likely it appeared he’d have to leave in the morning.

Well into his search for Chad, he finally located the other prince, alone with Willow in a secluded arbor. Seated side by side on a stone bench, surrounded by roses, and their heads together, they looked up in unison as he approached.

A brief uneasiness settled in his stomach as he wondered what they’d been discussing. The sky had taken on that dusky glow of evening. Too late now to leave. Resigned, he realized he’d have to finish the search of the castle tonight, and attempt to travel as close to dawn as possible.

“A word?” Ruben asked, motioning Chad over. The other man’s patrician expression revealed nothing as he excused himself from Willow and strolled over.

Ruben ignored his inner wolf’s visceral reaction to Chad. Once he had the other prince alone, he spoke quickly, outlining his revised plan.

“Leave Willow?” Chad said, deliberately speaking in his normal voice, which would undoubtedly carry to Willow’s ears. Ruben winced. With the way she straightened, he knew she’d heard what he’d said.

“She tried to tell me she’s staying, but that’s not going to happen,” Chad stated, still pitching his voice so she could hear. Ruben wondered what he was up to. Obviously, Chad had his own agenda. Again, suspicion crawled along his spine. He’d have to watch the other man closely.

Either way, he had no time for theatrics, especially from the last person he’d expected to have them.

“Look, I’m beginning the search in the morning,” Ruben finally said, abandoning all efforts at keeping the conversation private. “Willow’s already said she is staying here. If you want to go with me, meet me outside in front of the gate at dawn. Otherwise, I’m leaving without you.”

He left quickly, not waiting to hear Chad or Willow’s response. He’d do one last check of the castle before he left, then try and get a good night’s rest.

Searching the castle alone, Ruben wondered when the war between his beast and himself had deteriorated to the point where even the wholly human part of him was at war. He’d used to pride himself on trusting his gut and right now, he was deliberately ignoring all of his instincts. He felt confidence in Willow. Could he say the same for Chad and Eric?

Again he questioned whether or not he’d be better off if he went alone. The advantage of having a guide might well be outweighed by the inconvenience of dealing with a prima donna. He pushed the thought away. He had a castle to search.

Once more he visited the throne room, still packed with people. He slipped unnoticed among the crowd, searched faces, but failed to locate his quarry there.

After, he roamed the castle halls, breaking up more than one secret tryst in a deserted hallway. The investigation took longer than he’d expected and the middle of the night had arrived before he made it back to his room. He finally climbed into his bed and fell into a fitful sleep.

When he returned to the rose arbor just before sunrise, he wasn’t surprised to find Willow there, waiting alone. Holding the reins of two sturdy horses, she wore jeans and boots and what appeared to be a down vest. He noted she had already placed her packed bag onto the horse’s saddle.

Contemplating her, his inner disquiet finally settled. Interesting.

“Where’s Chad?” he asked, just to be sure.

She shrugged. “I have no idea.” She wouldn’t meet his gaze, making him wonder if she’d done something to delay the other man.

Then she raised her head and their gazes locked. Again feeling that insistent tug of attraction, Ruben stared down at her, his heart pounding. He said the first thing that came to mind. “I thought you weren’t going to come with me.”

Finally, she dropped her gaze and he found he could breathe again.

“I changed my mind,” she said, smiling slightly. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

“What do you mean?” he started to ask, about to make it clear to her that his plans did not include her sister and fiancé. But before he could, Chad and Eric strolled into the clearing, accompanied by four packhorses, all loaded to capacity. Behind them, tripped Tatiana, all decked out in her brightest, most sparkly gown. Though she looked gorgeous, she also shone like a beacon, visible from a mile away.

With great difficulty, Ruben kept from rolling his eyes. He glanced at the two EastWard princes, expecting to see, at the very least, sympathy. Instead Eric pouted, apparently mutinous. Judging from Chad’s heightened color, he’d already had words with the other two and was completely disgruntled.

Upon seeing her sister, Willow turned away so no one could see her laughing. Only the silent shaking of her shoulders gave her away.

“Well?” Tatiana trilled. “I’m here. What are we waiting for?”

“You can’t ride with us wearing that,” Ruben finally said. “You need to dress more like your sister.”

At his words, Tatiana’s face froze into a regal impression of horror. “How dare you insult me so. I will not dress like Willow. Ever.”

Willow’s face burned as everyone turned to look at her. Ruben thought she’d dressed exactly right for this expedition and opened his mouth to say so. But before he could, to his surprise, Eric jumped in to her rescue.

“Willow looks very practical,” he said. “You’d do well to emulate her, Tatiana.”

Chad grinned as Tatiana huffed. Studying the two brothers, one so handsome he seemed fake and the other much more normal-looking, Ruben wondered again what was off with the other man’s appearance—his features seemed misshapen somehow. Maybe he’d recently broken his nose? Whatever, Chad’s face lacked the perfect symmetry of all the other Brights. Even his hair appeared dull.

“Shall we wait while Tatiana goes to change?” Willow asked, the sparkle in her voice letting him know that the instant her sister disappeared from sight, they’d be riding off.

“I’m not changing,” Tatiana put in.

“I thought you wanted to rough it.”

She shrugged. “I did, at first. But then Eric insisted that we ride with every luxury, as befits the heirs of the Brights. Therefore, I need my best team hooked up to my day coach. Willow can ride with me if she likes.”

Willow seemed properly horrified. Ruben and Chad exchanged glances while Eric studied his perfectly manicured fingernails.

Meanwhile, Ruben’s patience ran out. “Listen up,” he said, his voice ringing with authority. “We’re not taking a coach. Tatiana, either go change or be ready to be left behind.”

Eric raised his head as if to argue. Glaring at the other man, Ruben let part of his wolf self show as he dared the other man to say anything.

Immediately, Eric looked away. “Do whatever he says, Tatiana. Hurry.”

Golden brow furrowed, Tatiana glanced from one to the other before flouncing away.

“Now,” Willow said, swinging her leg up over her horse’s back. “Let’s ride.”

Grinning at the mischief in her voice, Ruben mounted. So did Chad. Only Eric continued standing, jaw rigid as he glanced from Ruben to Chad. “We can’t just leave her.”

“Yes, we can,” Willow put in.

“I don’t want to wait.” Ruben spurred his horse toward the gate. “If she wants to catch up with us later, more power to her. Otherwise, let’s go.”

“Raise the gate,” Willow shouted, effectively cutting off whatever protest the other man had been about to make.

Slowly, the massive gate began to rise. Watching as it creaked slowly to the top, Ruben wondered if they used rope and pulleys to raise it, rather than electronics. Another question he made a mental note to ask Willow about later.

Finally, with the gate all the way up, they rode out. After taking his time tying up Tatiana’s horse, Eric brought up the rear, riding slowly, apparently lingering in the hope that Tatiana would reappear. Ruben had to admire Eric’s devotion to his new wife-to-be.

“Do you think she’ll make it?” Chad asked no one in particular.

“I doubt it. She takes hours to change clothes,” Willow answered, sounding relieved.

But just as they’d cleared the castle and the gate had begun to lower again, they heard a feminine screech.

Ruben winced, scratching the back of his neck. He exchanged a look with Chad, who shrugged.

Willow grimaced. “That sounds like my sister.”

A moment later, Tatiana came into view, leading her horse.

“Wait!”

With a sigh, Ruben signaled and they all reined to a halt. Tatiana vaulted gracefully onto her horse’s back and spurred the animal into a gallop. She caught up with them quickly, her color high and fury sparking from her bright violet eyes.

Ruben braced himself for a tantrum. But, instead of spewing invectives, Tatiana smiled a completely insincere, falsely sweet smile. “Shall we go, gentlemen?” she asked, completely ignoring Willow.

Without answering, Ruben nudged his horse forward.

Though the idea had been to visit several villages outside of the castle proper, the landscape kept shifting. The first time it happened, Ruben halted, studying their surroundings distrustfully. His wolf snarled, uneasy, as well.

The others looked at him curiously. They didn’t seem to notice the swirling landscape.

“Did none of you see that?” he finally asked. “The horizon keeps changing. One minute I see mountains, the next a great distance of flat plains. There are trees now but if I look away and then back, I will see rock cliffs.”

Chad laughed. “I forgot you were mortal. It’s only magic. Don’t worry about it.”

Ruben eyed him in disbelief. “Don’t worry about it? How will we know where we’re going, never mind if we’ll ever arrive there?”

“Because,” Eric broke in, using the exceedingly patient voice one might use to explain to a child. “We can see through the magic.”

“I can’t.” Though he might be stating the obvious, Ruben didn’t understand how they could hope to reach a particular destination when everything kept shifting. “We’ve been riding an hour and I see no signs of any town or village. How far is this place anyway?”

This time Chad and Eric exchanged glances, making Ruben uneasy. Had the two of them hatched up some sort of plan to get rid of him? If so, what did they plan to do with Willow and Tatiana?

Since the others all had magic to help them, he realized he and Willow were severely outnumbered. Still, at this point, there was nothing he could do about it.

When had he become so paranoid? Was this yet another sign of approaching insanity?

They continued to ride, Ruben doing his best to concentrate only on the path directly in front of them.

As darkness settled over the treetops, Willow brought up the subject of finding a place to camp for the night. Tatiana agreed with her, surprising everyone, Willow most of all, judging by the startled look on her face.

Riding slightly off the path, Chad returned a few minutes later. “I’ve found a level clearing that would be a good place to camp.”

And so it was decided. They began to make camp. As they pitched tents and dug a fire pit, he saw the way Willow kept watching him, as though she expected him to grow claws and fur at any moment. His skin crawled with energy, and he knew his beast lurked just below the surface, ready at any moment, to wrest control and break free.

This had become his daily existence. As often happened these days, he wasn’t sure which was his true nature—man or beast.

Later, after a completely unsatisfying meal of nuts and dried berries—again, Ruben had managed to forget that the Brights did not eat meat—they allowed the fire to smolder into embers and prepared to bunk down.

Letting the women share one tent and the two brothers share another, Ruben had staked his bedroll near a group of sturdy trees, ensuring he had some kind of protection at his back.

The others retired to their tents, the horses tied nearby. Quiet stole over the clearing, though out in the forest the night animals had begun to stir.

Ruben’s stomach growled as he thought of roasting a plump rabbit. But when he imagined the horrified looks on his companion’s faces, he knew if he was to eat the meat necessary to sustain him, he’d have to do it as wolf.

And there, he’d have to be very, very careful. Closing his eyes, he settled down to rest.