The Wolf Prince

CHAPTER 12



For his part, Chad hadn’t decided whether or not to let Tatiana seduce him. Right now, though she’d done an excellent job arousing him, he wasn’t all that interested. For one thing, she was not even remotely a challenge and, for another, having sex with her could really mess things up if Willow found out. And Willow was definitely a challenge.

So, even though his libido was ready, willing and eager, he tamped down hard on his arousal. Ever conscious of Willow’s watchful gaze, he knew exactly how to play it. Cool, calm and collected.

First, he shifted her weight so Tatiana rested on his hip rather than his front. Secondly, he staggered slightly, as though he no longer had the strength to support her weight.

“Willow,” he entreated, managing to look both repulsed and in desperate need of assistance. “Will you please help me with your sister? I’m afraid I might drop her.”

After a moment of stunned shock, Willow sprang to action. She reached out and pried one of Tatiana’s arms from her death grip around his neck. “Here, Tati, lean on me.”

“Lean on you?” Tatiana sputtered. She pushed away and sprang up perfectly straight on her own two feet, her violet gaze shooting sparks at both of them.

From the look on Willow’s face, her sister’s dramatic recovery hadn’t been entirely unexpected. In fact, Tatiana was rather predictable. Chad yawned discreetly, making sure Tatiana saw.

Willow, meanwhile, was still focused on her older sister. “You’re better now?” she asked, her voice an intriguing combination of concern and disgust.

“Leave me alone,” Tatiana snarled, whirling away from her. “I’m fine. Thanks for your concern.”

Amused, Chad stepped back. Already his very visible arousal had begun to go down.

Tatiana’s smirk made him realize she had definitely noticed. Her magical power rolled off her in waves, carefully banked, but enough to let him know it was there. If the two of them were to join, they’d be unstoppable. Not only could they rule the Brights, but the entire realm.

He nodded at Tatiana in acknowledgment.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Willow pressed, treating her older sister as though she expected her to keel over at any moment. Either that, or haul off and slap her. Though he had to say, Willow looked as though she could defend herself just fine.

“Yes.” Tatiana waved her away. “I’m great. Fabulous. Fantastic.”

If she noticed her self-descriptive adjective came off as conceited, she didn’t show it.

“Good,” Chad said. “I’m glad to hear it. Now if you’ll excuse us...” He held out his arm to Willow, who immediately took it. “We’re on our way to have lunch.”

“Oh, I’ll go with you,” Tatiana immediately trilled.

“I don’t think so.” Looking down his nose at her, Chad frowned. “Your sister and I would like some time alone together. We need to get to know each other so we can decide whether or not to follow you and Eric’s example and become engaged.”

He didn’t miss Willow’s relieved smile or Tatiana’s heightened color.

“But—” Tatiana began, narrow eyed with anger.

“No buts,” he said, rather cheerfully. “Why don’t you go find your own fiancé and spend some time with him? I’m sure Eric would love to get to know you.”

Delivering that final dig almost set her off. He saw it from the tightening of her lush mouth and the flash of rage that crossed her face. She even took a step toward them, fists clenched. To do...what? But at the last moment, she reined herself in and managed to smile back, the calculating look on her face promising retribution.

Good. He looked forward to that.

“Tatiana?” Willow began, sounding uncertain. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

Even more interesting, Chad thought, watching her. He’d bet three bricks of gold that Willow knew exactly what was going on with her sister. Like the rest of them, she was playing her own little game.

Of the two sisters, he had a feeling she was the most like him.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Tatiana snapped. Then, apparently realizing the crushed look on Willow’s expressive face didn’t reflect well on her people skills, Tatiana reached out and awkwardly patted Willow’s shoulder.

“Sorry. I’m a bit shook up, that’s all. I’m all right, really.”

Willow looked doubtful. “Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. Now run on off and have your lunch. Have fun then, you two!” Tatiana said, the gaiety in her voice ringing utterly false with the malice shimmering in her violet eyes.

Chad flashed an equally fake smile. “We will. Say hello to my brother for me, will you?”

“Of course.” Grumbling something else under her breath, Tatiana moved away.

“Well done,” Willow said quietly. “You are aware of what she was angling for, aren’t you?”

“Of course,” he answered smoothly. “She is very competitive with you for men’s attention, is she not?”

Willow swallowed hard. When she spoke, he noticed that she didn’t answer the question. “Most men would have taken the time to enjoy my sister’s ample charms.”

Giving her a tender smile, he put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. “Most men haven’t already found the woman they want.”

Then, as she blushed delicately, he went in for the coup de grace. He kissed her lightly on the side of her cheek. A gentleman’s kiss, but one that promised much, much more.

“Chad,” she turned to face him. “I’m not sure I—”

“Ahem.” Behind them, someone cleared a masculine throat.

Willow stiffened, moving away from Chad so quickly he wondered if he’d caught fire or something. Then, as he saw who had intruded, he had to force himself to relax. He’d worked his glamour to ensure the human wouldn’t recognize him. He’d also taken pains to dress differently than he had earlier.

This was the best he could work out without wearing a mask, which would be way too obvious. The moment of truth had come. Would the human recognize him? If so, he prepared himself to deal with the consequences.

“Ruben!” Willow said, her blush deepening as she stepped away from Chad. “You haven’t met Prince Chad. Chad, this is Prince Ruben of Teslinko.”

Now or never. Turning slowly, Chad kept his expression casually friendly. He held out his hand, all the while holding his breath while he waited to see if a glint of recognition would show in the other man’s face.

To his immense relief, he saw only pleasant politeness and curiosity as they shook.

“Pleased to meet you,” Ruben drawled, glancing from Willow to Chad and back again.

“Yes, indeed,” Chad drawled right back. Victory? Or was, as Chad suspected, Ruben actually toying with him?

But he saw nothing in the human’s rugged face to indicate recognition. And what would be the point of pretending? None, none at all. No, he suspected Ruben would be the sort to have him immediately arrested and brought before the king and queen.

“Where were you two going?” Ruben asked, studying Willow’s flushed face before looking at Chad.

“We were just about to head down for lunch,” Willow said, still sounding breathless. And glad, Chad noted. Definitely glad. “Come with us.”

Ruben considered.

Chad waited for the other man to decline. Surely even one as obtuse as he could tell Chad and Willow wanted to be alone.

Instead, Ruben nodded. “Great. I’m starving. Lead the way.”

The happy smile that blossomed on Willow’s face infuriated Chad. He moved closer to her, placing a proprietary arm across her shoulders.

“Maybe I should have let Tatiana come with us,” he put in, reminding her not-so-subtly that he’d earlier declined her sister’s blatant invitation because he had wanted to spend time alone with her.

At his comment, her blush deepened, though she made no move to tell Ruben not to come. Interesting. Glancing from Ruben to Willow, he filed the information away for later. He couldn’t help but wonder how he might use this to his advantage. But he would, somehow.

“I’m sorry,” Willow finally stammered, low enough that he knew she didn’t want Ruben to hear. “I didn’t think... That is...”

Apparently oblivious to the undercurrents, Ruben kept pace with them, looking straight ahead. Chad guessed the other man was lost in his own thoughts. Briefly, he wondered what those might be.

“Any luck on finding your murderer?” Chad asked, keeping his tone mildly curious.

Ruben’s head came up and his amber eyes narrowed. “Not yet. But we’re still waiting for the king and queen to give us permission to go out among their subjects.”

“We’re? Us?” Chad looked at Willow, who suddenly became very interested in her feet. “Are you helping him with this?”

“No.” Her answer came too quickly, which meant she was lying. “Of course not.”

At the same time, Ruben shook his head. “I asked her to help me, but she’s refused.” Also lying. Hmm.

“I’ll be happy to help,” Chad offered. What a perfect solution. That way, he’d be right there on top of the investigation and would know if anything happened to point to him.

“You?” Ruben frowned. “I thought you were a visitor here, just like me.”

“Not exactly. My kingdom is about one hundred miles east of here.”

“But you’re not from SouthWard,” Willow pointed out, annoyingly.

“No, but I am a Bright,” Chad shot back. “And EastWard is an equally possible destination for this madman.”

Ruben studied him, his look assessing. “You know what? If I don’t find the killer here in SouthWard and I have to go to your kingdom, I’ll take you up on that.”

“Done,” Chad said promptly, well aware that no matter how hard Ruben searched, he’d never find the one he sought among the SouthWard men. Actually, since Chad planned to ingratiate himself into the investigation, if Ruben even so much as displayed the smallest suspicion, he’d be a dead man.

As they entered the banquet hall, Chad made certain to stick close to Willow’s side. It annoyed and amused him that Ruben did the same.

Many of the nobility had already arrived and made their way down the banquet line. Willow stood on her toes, trying to see over the crush of people.

“It looks like some sort of fish today,” she said, smiling. “Though we don’t eat meat, we make an exception for creatures of the sea.”

Preoccupied again, Ruben nodded, then raised his head to meet Chad’s intent stare.

“What?” he asked, sounding mildly curious rather than irritated.

Chad decided to test him further. “Nothing. It’s just that you look awfully familiar. I don’t know why or how that could be, since I’ve never traveled across the veil, but something about your face...”

Letting the words trail off, he waited to see how Ruben responded.

“Really?” Ruben turned away and sounded completely disinterested. “You don’t look familiar to me at all.”

Though he had no reason to doubt him, Chad suspected the other man was not telling the truth.

* * *

The truth of the matter was, Ruben didn’t like Chad. At all. Something about the other prince made his wolf’s hackles rise. He couldn’t imagine why Willow would want to marry a man like that, but then again, what did he know about what women wanted in their men?

Though if he knew his sisters, they’d agree with his assessment of the blond prince.

And when Chad had mentioned seeing him before, he’d been lying. For whatever reason. Though now that he mentioned it, Ruben wondered if the other man’s face did seem familiar. Despite the fact that he didn’t have the same aristocratic features, was it possible he actually was the man Ruben and his father had seen following Willow?

The instant he thought this, he knew it made no sense. If Chad had used magic to alter his appearance, Willow would have commented on it, wouldn’t she?

When they reached the stack of plates, Ruben grabbed one and eyed the food trays. His family rarely served meals buffet style, preferring instead a more formal service and a sit-down sort of elegance. To each his own.

As he studied each food, Willow kept up a running commentary about where it had come from and how it was prepared. From what he’d seen of her, she must have really been nervous to chatter so much. His admittedly limited experience around her had revealed her to be a quieter, introspective sort.

Nervous about what? He glanced at her, noticing the way her gaze occasionally darted to Chad. The man her parents wished her to marry?

While they were finishing up their lunch, which was eaten in blessed silence, they were summoned to the throne room. The page that had come to fetch them glanced at Willow anxiously and swallowed.

“Best hurry,” she whispered, loud enough for Ruben to hear. “Your mother is in one of those moods.”

Willow blanched. Again, Ruben found himself wanting to comfort her.

On her other side, Chad raised a brow. “What’s this about?”

Though Ruben felt a sudden urge to tell the other man to mind his own business, he answered cordially, “I’m sure they’ve reached a decision as to what they want to do with me,” he said. He couldn’t help but wonder what it was about the other man that made him feel so competitive. Willow? That would be extremely foolish.

Willow sighed and placed her napkin on top of her plate. “Did they ask for me only, or Ruben, also?”

“Both of you.” Waiting, the page dropped her eyes.

“That’s what I thought.” She stood, motioning to Ruben, who rose also. Chad, he noted, remained seated.

As they followed the page, Willow leaned close. “I’m worried about this. Whatever you do, don’t ask if I can go with you.”

Surprised, he cocked a brow. “Why not?”

“Because I don’t want them to forbid me. I’m going anyway and I’d rather not have to openly defy them.”

“Makes sense,” he said, even though to him, it did not. But then he thought of his sister Alisa. She’d done whatever she wanted, consequences be damned, and had nearly gotten killed in the process.

He couldn’t take the risk of that happening to Willow. “You know, I’ve been rethinking the idea of your accompanying me,” he said. “Maybe I should take Chad instead.”

That got her attention. She stopped, crossing her arms and glaring at him. “You can’t be that obtuse. Chad is the last person you’d want to trust to have your back.”

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.