Chapter 13

I t was a long trek through the trees. They finally broke free of the forest and headed up a slope of a hill, the sun glinting off the snow. Her legs burned from the exertion and her breath see-sawed in and out of her, pluming in front of her. She spotted a cluster of rocks ahead and headed for them.

“Please, I need a moment.” She paused, pressing a hand against her side to catch her breath. She leaned against the rock to give her tired legs time to stop aching.

Nicholas halted and turned to face her, stepping closer with an encouraging grin. “It’s not far now.”

“Good.” She pulled out the cloth wrapped around the pastries as her stomach grumbled. She handed him a biscuit, which he accepted with a grateful smile.

“We can get something to eat there when we arrive,” he said.

She broke off a piece of scone, examining the baked blueberries inside. “Will they allow that?”

“Of course, they will,” he said around a mouthful. “Why wouldn’t they?”

She peered up at him under her lashes. “It seems odd they would allow that for commoners like us.”

He chuckled. “They will be glad to serve us.”

She tipped her head to one side. What a curious thing to say. How did he know this? He seemed sure the royal family would be happy to take care of travel weary visitors.

“Besides, the king and queen are not in residence this time of year,” he added.

“Oh?” She popped the small piece of scone in her mouth and chewed.

He nodded. “They both have duties elsewhere they have to attend.”

“Then who’s left in charge?” she asked, genuinely curious, for she never understood how those things worked.

“There’s a steward who takes care of things when the royal family is not in residence.” He took another bite of the biscuit.

There was something niggling at her about the way he said it with such confidence. As if he knew and understood the inner workings of the home of the king and queen of Rovenheim.

“Do you really think Malvina will destroy the village if she doesn’t get what she wants?”

He paused, his mind working as he held the half-eaten biscuit. “I hope not, though I certainly wouldn’t put it past her. She dislikes this time of year.”

“Why?” She simply couldn’t fathom anyone disliking this magical time of year.

He gave her a faint smile and ate the rest of the biscuit. “She has darkness in her heart. Let’s keep going.”

She followed him as she finished her scone. Now that she rested, she felt as though she was able to continue.

As they crested the hill, she saw the gleaming towers outlined against the brilliant blue sky in the distance. She assumed this was the royal castle and their destination and her heart quickened. It was nothing like the royal palace back home.

No, this was grander with tall white towers glistening against the evening sun. The heraldry flags were stiff in the breeze at the top of three turrets in bright, cheerful colors of red and green plaid, reminding her of the bow that was wrapped around the box the glass slippers were in.

“Is that the royal castle?” she asked.

“Yes, Rovenheim Castle.” He turned to her and grasped her hand. “Not long now.”

Her heart thudded hard as they continued on their way. The closer they got, the quicker he picked up the pace. He seemed to be ready to be there.

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, and the sack bounced against her aching hip, she realized she, too, was ready to be there. The castle was made of white marble, shining in the waning light as though it were a welcoming beacon to all who approached.

Around the castle, a wall made of white stone and look-out turrets every several feet for guards. An iron gate was opened, welcoming travelers. Beyond the gate, she couldn’t see much but she heard happy voices raised in song. She cut a glance to Nicholas, who had a faint smile on his face, his cheeks and the tip of his nose were ruddy from the cold. There was no mistaking the joy on his face as he approached the gate at a wicked pace. It was almost as though he forced himself not to break into a run.

As they approached, she looked up at nearest tower and saw two guards standing on the edge of the wall peering down. Their helms hid most of their faces. They were dressed in full armor with thick cloaks around their shoulders to ward off the cold. A sword was strapped to each of their sides and they both held bows at the ready.

One gave a nod to them as they passed. A quick glance at Nicholas as he nodded back and gave a brief wave. The guards seemed unconcerned with his arrival. Almost as though they knew him.

Perhaps they did. Perhaps Nicholas was well traveled and had been here before. There was much she didn’t know about him and yet she was willing to trust him with her life.

As they entered through the gate, she took in the surroundings. There were people milling about doing chores and taking care of animals. One side boasted a twenty-foot tree decorated in gold and plaid ribbon for the holiday. A gold star sat atop it. She gasped when she saw it.

“The tree is magnificent, isn’t it?” he asked. “My fa—er, the king has one brought from the countryside every season.”

“It’s wonderful,” she breathed, her breath pluming in front of her.

He leaned toward her and dropped his voice, “Wait until you see it lit up tonight.”

His warm breath brushed her cheek as he spoke, sending a wave of delicious longing through her. She gave him a quick glance as he winked and pulled her along.

“Your highness! You’ve returned!” a rotund, jovial man shouted with an exaggerated wave of his arm.

He had thinning black hair showing off his shiny pate and bright blue eyes that flashed with surprise and glee as he hurried across the courtyard to greet them. His fur-lined cloak flapped behind him. His black boots were coated with snow. The tips of his ears were red, as well as his nose and cheeks, from the frosty air. She pulled Nicholas to a jarring halt and jerked her hand from his as shock rolled through her.

“ Your highness ?” she repeated under her breath.

He gave her a sheepish grin. “Yes, I wanted to tell you, but—”

The man skidded to a halt in front of them, taking Nicholas into a giant bear hug and squeezing him in his beefy arms. He pulled back, a broad grin on his face as he held him at arm’s length. He gave a belly laugh of surprise and delight.

“We didn’t expect you back yet.”

Then he noticed Ella.

“Oh, my. Who is this lovely lady? Forgive me, my lady, I didn’t see you there.” As he bowed, he took her hand in his gloved one.

“This is Ella,” Nicholas said. “Ella, this is Magnus, he’s the steward of the castle when the royal family is away.”

Magnus bent and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. “My dear, your hands are frozen.” Then he turned a scalding gaze on Nicholas. “Your highness, have you no chivalry? Why didn’t you give the girl gloves?”

“There was no time. We were in a bit of a rush when we left the village.”

His expression turned to one of concern. “Oh, yes, we heard what happened in the village. That Malvina destroyed the Christmas Star. Whatever will we do now?” His face contorted into agonized lines.

Magnus was, by far, the most expressive person Ella had ever met.

“I have a plan.”

Nicholas cut her a glance as she shifted from one foot to the other and withdrew her hand discreetly from Magnus’s.

“But we can discuss that in good time. I’m frozen to my toes. Let’s go inside.” He waved them toward the entrance.

“Yes, of course. I’ll have a chamber made up for the lady.”

They entered the castle through the double oak doors with the wrought iron hinges and paused in the massive foyer. There was so much to see, Ella wasn’t sure where to look first. From the black and white checkered floor covered in thick, plush ancient rugs to a wide curved staircase that went up to the second level to the yawning doorway to their right leading into what appeared to be the great hall. There was a long, wooden table that seated twenty on each side and one at each end. Behind that, an oversized fireplace that boasted a roaring fire, the light flickering off the floor and the stone walls giving it a warm and inviting ambience. To their left, another room that boasted plush and comfortable furniture, another fireplace, plush rugs, and oil paintings on every wall.

Everywhere she looked were holiday decorations. Green garland trimmed in red and gold ribbon wound around the banister. A giant tree adorned with red and gold tinsel, red and gold ornaments, and tiny white twinkling lights was on the far wall in the great hall. Greenery and candles decorated the fireplace mantle. She had never seen such a holiday splendor in her life and it made her smile.

Everything seemed bigger and brighter here in Rovenheim Castle.

“In the west wing, if you please, Magnus,” he said, oblivious to her gawking.

“The west wing, your highness?” Magnus gaped openly from Nicholas to her and back again, as if he couldn’t believe the request.

“Yes, Magnus. The west wing.”

The man nodded. “Very well.” He turned to Ella then and gave her a bright smile. “I’ll have a bath brought up to you so you can thaw out.”

“Oh, that sounds lovely.” The thought of a steaming bath after all the travel through the cold and the snow made her warm just thinking about it.

“And some warm clothes, too,” Nicholas added. “She’ll need some traveling clothes.”

“But this is fine.” She waved to the gown Agnes gave her, feeling as though he thought her secondhand clothes weren’t good enough.

“You’ll need something warmer if we’re to travel to the Grimbrande Mountains.”

As they spoke, several servants scurried up the stairs. Magnus gave them a cursory glance and then turned his attention back to Nicholas.

“The Grimbrande?” Magnus exclaimed. “But, highness—”

Ella glanced from the steward to Nicholas. Magnus clearly had objections to the idea of them going to the Grimbrande Mountains. Objections which Nicholas didn’t want to hear.

“We will discuss later ,” he said through his teeth, cutting him off. “Right now, Ella and I are famished.”

Even as he said it, her stomach rumbled. The two scones she’d managed to eat were long gone.

Magnus straightened and gave him a sharp nod. “Would you like to feast in the dining hall?” He motioned to the cavernous room to the right.

“In my chamber, if you please.” He held his hand out to her. “And then I’ll escort Ella to hers afterward.”

“Very good. I’ll have the meal brought up right away.”

Ella hesitated a moment as she watched Magnus hurry away.

“Come, Ella,” Nicholas said, still extending his hand to her.

She folded her arms over her chest, taking a step away from him. Here she was with a prince all this time. He must think she was nothing but a na?ve dolt as they traipsed through the forest and the snow to get to the castle. And why bring her here? He did say he thought it was the safest place for her.

But all that changed when they decided to rescue Ingrid from the dark queen.

“Not until you tell me who you really are, your highness .”

He flushed, his cheeks turning a dark pink as he clenched his jaw. He gave her a slow nod. “You’re right, of course. I should have told you from the start.”

Her eyes narrowed as she peered at him. “Are you a prince, then?”

It was almost as if she didn’t believe it.

“I am,” he said, his voice low and quiet.

Her arms dropped to her side as she gaped at him. She spun away from him, facing the roaring fire and the decorated tree in the great hall. When she went to the ball at the palace, it had never occurred to her she would dance with a prince. In fact, she hadn’t expected to see the prince at all. At least, the prince she knew from her own world. Instead, she had danced and jested with the prince of Rovenheim. And he had almost kissed her.

She shoved that thought away, trying to remain in touch with her ire. “You lied to me.”

“Well, I never actually told you I was a prince,” he said.

She frowned at him over her shoulder. “You lied by omission. That’s the same as lying.”

He spread his hands as if in surrender. “Ella, please understand—”

She turned on him. “Why were you at Whitebridge Palace?”

“I was attending the ball, the same as you.” He looked flustered, as though he didn’t understand why she was asking.

“Did you run into me on purpose?” she demanded, propping her hands on her hips.

“Ah, if I recall, my lady, you were the one who ran into me .” He grinned at her.

Heat pounded through her, pushing all the way to the roots of her hair as she blushed. Yes, of course, he was right. She had run into him. He took a tentative step toward her, moving slowly with his hands still out.

“Ella, I didn’t tell you at the ball because…well, at the time it didn’t seem relevant. And then you ran away and I didn’t think I would ever see you again,” he said.

She dropped her arms and moved a little closer. “Did my fairy godmother send you here, too?”

His face was impassive for a long moment as he decided how to answer. “She insisted I come after you and find a way to return you back to your realm.”

“Why did you bring me here when you knew I would discover your identity?” she asked.

“Initially, I wanted to bring you here because I knew you would be safe from Malvina. But then we decided to rescue Ingrid and things changed. If we’re to trek up the mountains, we need provisions. This was the only place I could think to get those provisions. Plus, we can take horses and not go on foot.” He took another tentative step toward her, closing the gap between them. “Can you forgive me for not telling you the whole truth?”

“Is your name really Nicholas?” she asked, her eyes narrowed to slits.

He chuckled. “Yes, it is.”

She took a deep breath, expelled it. “Then I suppose I can.”

He held his hand out to her once more. “Come. Let’s get something to eat and we’ll form a plan to save Ingrid.”

Her stomach rumbled again as if it heard him mention food. She placed her hand in his and together, they headed up the curved staircase to his chamber.