If they could see and hear the locals, and I could hear them, could they act as a go-between for us? I briefly considered the plan, but I could hear someone beginning to unbolt the palace doors, and too many obstacles stood in the way of the plan. Perhaps if I could speak to them as I did to Lily…but I had only ever been able to speak aloud to the servants because they were not truly communicating in their minds. From their perspective, they both spoke and heard like normal. I had long ago concluded it was the reason I couldn’t feel their emotions or connect privately with any one individual, like I did with Lily.
Another thought occurred to me, and my words tumbled out in a rush. “Never mind a stable. You must return immediately to the castle. Let everyone know that if they hear word of a new king, or if your curse lifts, you all need to get out of there. At least for a while. It might not be safe.”
A new king? But, Princess Sophie, His Highness is still back at the castle.
The palace doors opened, revealing Cole, flanked by several armed men.
“Just go!” I snapped in such a sharp voice that they obeyed. As the carriage started to move, I thought for a moment that I could see a vague outline of the two men, but then I blinked and it had disappeared.
I fixed my eyes on Cole, listening to the carriage turning in the courtyard without breaking my gaze. I didn’t want to draw his attention to it, hopeful that his men would let the magical driverless carriage leave unobstructed. From what he had said in the castle, he seemed unnerved by all the objects that moved on their own, so I didn’t think he’d want to interfere with one that was attempting to remove itself from his vicinity.
I allowed myself a tiny sigh of relief as I heard the wheels clatter away over the cobblestones.
Is he there? asked Lily, and for an unthinking moment I thought she meant Dominic. A sharp pang shot through me at his absence.
Ugh. I could run him through myself. Her anger made it clear she meant Cole.
Be quiet for a minute. I need to focus.
“Ah, my bride.” Cole spread his arms wide. “How lovely to see you. And all alone as instructed. I think we’re getting off to an excellent start.”
I glared at him, but he merely laughed back. “Please,” he stepped back and gestured toward the entrance hall, “come inside.”
I stuck my chin in the air and mounted the stairs, sweeping disdainfully past him. Halfway inside, I realized my bags were in the disappearing coach, and I had to work to maintain a neutral expression. I supposed it didn’t really matter. In a few days, I would either be queen, or free to leave here and fetch them. And the most important item I still had, tucked into my dress—the rose, which had somehow survived the journey in full bloom.
Cole led me to the throne room. Sprawling himself across the largest throne, he smiled at me. “I admit I had my doubts. I thought I might have to send out a squad to skewer that prince of yours. But it seems you have successfully shaken him free.”
I stood as straight as my short height allowed. “I don’t know what you mean.”
He laughed. “I am not an idiot. I would have thought that much was apparent.” He gestured at the throne behind him. “I have studied all the emotions, or I could not simulate them so well.” He laughed again. “Not that it took much expertise to see that monster’s jealousy.” He regarded me dispassionately. “You are beautiful enough, I suppose. Although Dominic was always a proud one—the only heir to the great kingdom of Palinar.” He sneered. “But he has been brought low now. Perhaps after his years of exile as a beast, it was inevitable that he would fall in love with the first girl to cross his path.”
I stared at him. Jealous? In love? Dominic had been protective of me, certainly, but he had been the one to pull away from our kiss. Cole must be wrong. Why would Dominic dissolve our betrothal if he loved me?
Because if he truly loved you, he would free you, whispered a small voice in the back of my mind that for once didn’t come from my sister. And if he truly loved you, he wouldn’t take advantage of the situation to kiss you.
Terror washed over me, making it hard to breathe. If Dominic loved me, then he was in terrible danger. Because when he realized Cole had escaped, and when his coachmen returned with my message, he would easily put the two together. Nothing would stop him coming after me. And then he would die.
“I’m glad to see you looking sufficiently horrified,” said Cole. “I was a little afraid at that castle that you might actually have feelings for him back.”
But I wasn’t listening. I was grappling with a second terrible realization, made far too late. I loved Dominic back. He was more than an intelligent companion, whose company I enjoyed. He stimulated my mind and awakened my emotions in a way I had never experienced before.
When I had first arrived at his castle, I had seen only his inconsiderate pride. But in the months since then, the care he showed to Spitfire had extended first to me, and then to his servants. I had seen his passion, previously warped by his anger, transform into something else—a protective instinct that complemented the good governance he had previously dispensed with so little feeling. No one was better equipped to rule Palinar.
And I could imagine no one else so consuming my heart. I loved him and would do so even if he remained bound by the curse, trapped in his beastly shape forever. The thought of his inevitable death cut through me with a pain so deep I could barely breathe. My fear of finding myself married to Cole paled beside it.
“Now,” Cole continued. “Did you manage to find out when the old king died?” He eyed me sharply and added a warning. “If you lie to me, I’ll know, and your sister will be the one to feel my wrath.”
“It’s been three years, three months, three weeks and two days,” I blurted out, my mind still distracted by my amazing and despair-filled revelation. I immediately wanted to shake myself. Since Cole and I couldn’t be safely married until Dominic was no longer the heir, I could have lied and given Lily and me a couple more days at least.
A smile spread over his face. “Excellent news, indeed! And that lines up exactly with when the curse fell over Palinar, so I’m even inclined to believe you. I can’t imagine you want to be bringing down curses on your head any more than I do. Which means we don’t have long to wait.”
I eyed him coldly. “I would like to be shown to my room.”
“Your room?” He raised both eyebrows.
“I assume you do not intend for us to stand around here for hours and hours. And I am to be queen, am I not? I assume the queen has a suite of chambers somewhere in this palace.”
I waited to see if he would explode with anger, but he laughed at me instead. “Regal and demanding. I like it.” He jumped to his feet and stepped down to stand beside me. Leaning forward he whispered in my ear. “It looks good on you.”
I suppressed a shiver with difficulty, forcing my voice to remain steady. “My chambers?”
He waved over two of the men and directed them to take me to the queen’s chambers. He eyed me. “They will remain outside your door…an honor guard as any queen should have.”