Unlocking Adeline (Skeleton Key) (11 page)

“What was he like? When he was here? What was the woman he was paired with like? Did she ever marry?” As much as I want to be mad at my dad, I want to learn about his life here. I want to understand why he left. I know why he stayed away. He shared stories of his childhood, but they were always masked by something. Now, I believe it was lies. It was the fairy tales that he would tell me at night that were his real childhood stories. The ones I would cling on to, night after night, wishing I lived in the magical world he created for me.

“He was a kind boy. Good to his mother. Good to his betrothed. Good to his community. He was always first to step up to take charge in the realm travels. He was training to be head of the gallowglass service of his era, which is the highest and most prestigious rank for his gallantry. I remember yer grandmother was so proud of him. It wasn’t until he got older that I believe this life wore on him. The pressure. He and Clara fit in a sense, but were different all the same. She was more fancied with him than he was with her, but yer father he was a polite thing, so he kept the courtship. Eventually, he started time traveling more and more. The trips would be longer and the time he spent in Wren was less than he spent out there. One day, he never came back. He took his key to the portal and was never heard of again. Yer grandmother swore he would return. Clara waited. Everyone waited. But he never did. I am not sure yer grandmother has ever been the same since.”

Besides that slap, I feel sorry for her. For the loss of her child. For thinking that he was dead, or in some portion betrayed them all. “And what happened to Clara?”

“She is still here.”

“Is she married?”

“No, Miss, she is not. She waited for yer father to return. By the time she gave up, her time had passed. There hasn’t been anyone proper to court for her, so she remains alone.”

“Oh.” I’m saddened to hear that.

“What do you think of me being here? Do you think this is right? For them to kidnap me and marry me off?”

She looks puzzled, as if she is thinking of the right answer. “I think that yer father chose love. He was the first person ever in Wren to do that. We do choose love here. But he chose love outside. That’s unheard of. But his true blood flows through him. He is Wren. He knew what he was risking coming back here. He knew what his part in this world was. I don’t wish unhappiness on anyone. I do hope ye find peace in the life made here for ye. Ye are very lucky to be the Princess of Wren, next in line to marry a prince.” She blushes as if my situation is the bees’ knees.

“Yes, being kidnapped, learning you’re a princess from a faraway land, and being forced to marry is quite exciting,” I say sarcastically. I guess sarcasm hasn’t hit this era yet, so she doesn’t bite and smiles back, gathering clean towels.

“Tis time for supper soon, may I help ye with yer bath?” There is one thing this era lacks and it’s privacy. God,
no
I don’t want help scrubbing my ass, lady! But I feel bad being so rude. “No thank you, Ellie, I can do it myself.”

“As ye wish, Miss.” She bows and heads toward the door.

“Oh wait, Ellie?” I call for her and she turns.

“Where is Christof’s room?” She smiles again. Apparently they lack sarcasm, but not dirty minds. “It is on the far west corridor, Miss.”

“Thank you,” I reply, allowing her to leave. I need to get into that room. If Locke is going to stick me with his brother than I need to refigure my plans. I need to get Christof’s key.

I
am an independent girl through and through, but by golly, these dresses take an army to get in. I end up calling Ellie back in the room to help dress me. At this point, she has seen it all so I’m more comfortable with her helping me squeeze my boobs and butt into this poof ball contraption. It’s not long after Ellie has my hair up and perfect, that a knock sounds at the door. Ellie does the honors of answering, as I stand ready with my defiant pose, making sure my boobs are sticking nicely out. Locke can stare at these while I give him the kiss-my-ass stare.

Surprisingly, it turns out to be Christof, again. My chest falls some, but I keep the smile to my face. I don’t know why I thought, or cared, that it would be Locke escorting me to dinner, like last night. That jerk bag is probably off scaring small children with his daunting attitude and mean growls.

“Hey.” I say, walking toward the door.

“I thought I would escort ye to dinner tonight.” He smiles, bringing out his hand to embrace mine. His warm palm wraps around my fingertips, twisting my wrist to lay a soft kiss on the inside of my palm. Small shivers run up my arm and down my legs at the small, but erotic gesture.

“Yes, I would love that.” I smile back, offering him my full attention. I wrap my arm around his, and he gently guides me down the hallway. “I wasn’t expecting you,” I say, hiding my disappointment.

“Oh and why was that?”

“I guess it was just Locke who fetched me the last time.”

“And are ye disappointed it is not him?” he asks, looking at me with that innocent smirk in his eyes. A small part of me wants to admit I am. But I also need to remember what he did to me, and that I also despise him. He took me from my home. “Not at all.” I give him a wink, allowing him to walk me out of my room and toward the ballroom, or as I would like to call it, night two of the lion’s den. It’s when we are walking that I feel something brush against my arm. I glance over, and I notice a pouch secured around Christof’s side.

The key.

The flap is hanging open, and I can see it. There’s a glass key resting just on top, within my hands reach. I think about pushing him over, so I can grab for it, maybe trying to knock him out. Then I realize that I kind of like the guy and I would feel bad. We’re getting close to the stairs and at that point, I will have missed my chance. Just before we hit the stairs, I do the only thing I know and pretend to trip. Christof jumps into action just in time, and as he catches me, I swiftly sneak my hand into the pouch, just grazing my fingertips over the key.

Darnit!

“Oh blast it, Adeline, are ye alright?” he asks, bringing me back to my feet. He bends down to check for any damage on my ankle as I try again to reach for the key and fail.

“Geez, I’m such a klutz. I’m fine.” I pull my ankle from his grip. “Seriously, it’s fine. We should hurry. I’m sure everyone is waiting for us.”

He gets up, checking that I’m not lying and nods. “As ye wish, Princess.” He winks and continues to guide us to another night of hell.

While entering the lavish ballroom, I look around, thankfully not seeing my grandmother. As much as I want her to like me, I would not enjoy another face slap. I force myself not to look for Locke, so I look around at everyone else instead. If Locke happens to be in amongst these people, then so be it. We make eye contact with William, Christof’s father and he calls for us to join him at the table.

Leaning in, I whisper to Christof as we make our way, “Just curious, how does your dad feel about hijacked princesses who return to claim his sons and unwanted thrown?”

Squeezing my hand tighter, he responds, “Well, he is a lot like Locke in a way, so don’t let him scare ye. His bite isn’t as bad as his bark.”

Oh great, that didn’t make me feel any better. I was introduced to William MacCowen last night but like his son, he is also a man of few words. I now know where Locke gets it. He was pleasant to a point. He bowed and welcomed me into his home, but that was about as far as he extended his courtesy. Now as Christof drags me closer to him, I kind of wish I stopped and took a seat with the knitting club instead.

“Ahhh, son, welcome. I heard ye and our Adeline had a fine day touring the lands today,” his father says. Dressed similar to Christof, William is covered in Wren colors. Lacking the stereotypical cape and crown, he did bear what looked like a ton of metals of some kind.

“We did, Father. I believe that Adeline enjoyed the gardens the best.” He turns and smiles at me, offering me his signature wink.

“Son, sit. Jeremiah here would like to discuss the purchase of the lands just west of Ferrow.” Saved by the discussion of business, it allows me to sit and my vision wanders amongst the attendees. I lift my hand to wave at the knitting club, but get zero response in return. “Well, heck with you people,” I mumble under my breath. I continue to look around, but as my gaze returns to Christof, I see it. There, peering in-between us, is the key. In plain ole sight! All I need to do is cause a scene, and while no one is looking I’ll snatch it up. Once everyone is away in bed, I’ll summon the door and go home. I can grab Mom, Dad, and Liam and we can run. Move somewhere where they won’t find us. I make eye contact with a group of girls who haven’t stop gawking at me since we sat down. I smile brightly and begin to wave. It’s then I reach for a goblet, knocking three over in the process. The ale leaks over the scrolls they’re currently reviewing, sending William and the other gentleman shooting upward, trying to save the parchment. It’s while Christof leans forward to pick up the goblet that I lean down, grab the key, and stuff it into my cleavage.

“Adeline.”

I jump a guaranteed two feet high, practically knocking over half a dozen more goblets, for real this time. I turn, ready to fight to the finish because I am
not
giving this key back, only to see Christof casually smiling at me.

“Are ye alright? Did ye get wet?”

“Oh uh… what? No, I’m fine,” I respond nervously.

“Good, let’s let them work the rest of this out. Shall we dance before dinner?” He gestures for us to retreat. I nod, allowing him to take my hand, guiding me away from the wet table and now angry men.

His genuine smile never falters as he places us in the center of the ballroom, once again lifting me up and setting me on top of his shoes. I feel a slight tinge of guilt, knowing I am going to be leaving this place shortly and he will once again be, well, single if we were on real word terms. In another time, I think I could probably enjoy someone like Christof.

“So, Miss Adeline, please continue telling me about yerself. Besides how well ye do with first impressions,” he begins, his grin spreading across his face.

“Ha Ha. Please call me Addie. No one ever calls me by my full name.”

He nods. “Alright,
Addie
, please do fill me in on more of yer secret life in Seattle.”

Christof’s mother walks over, interrupting our conversation. “My darling, ye look just lovely in that dress. I fear the day my boys have to choose. A fight to the finish it shall be.” She winks as she pulls me away from Christof. “Please let me show ye off for a bit. I have so many friends I want to introduce ye to!” I’m hesitant to leave his side. He has become a comfort to me, and I have no idea where Faith intends to lead me.

“Don’t worry, dear; I won’t let anyone harm ye. A lot of these batty woman act like they bite, but they are all talk.” She explains as she semi-drags me across the room. Group after group she introduces me to people, a lot more informal than last night. Some are friendlier, mostly curious at the outcast from another dimension. Some are still rude, but they certainly don’t hold back asking about Dad.
Where is he? Where has he been? Why was he hiding me? Who is he married to?
At this point, I am not sure whether to answer or not. I just stop responding all together.

I keep my guard up the whole time. I just can’t trust that I won’t get another slap. I also keep an eye out for Locke. Not that I care, because he’s a huge jerk. But I wonder why he’s not here. Ellie told me that he had brought me my dress while I was in the bath. For being such a grumpy ass, I also want to know why he is picking out my attire.