Chapter 15

M alvina’s attempts to bring the glass slippers to her had failed. She thought stealing the girl from the village would push those useless villagers into action. But no. Though she threatened to take another, she really didn’t have the desire to have another pathetic hostage in her care.

At least their Christmas Star was destroyed now, plunging the happy little village into quiet despair. She’d sensed that the moment it shattered. She paused, remembering the tinkling of glass when it cracked and stifled a laugh.

It had been so satisfying seeing that smashed into pieces.

But she still had the issue of the missing glass slippers. She needed them if she was going to remove Noella from her throne and take over the realm of Rovenheim. Those slippers had the power to manipulate feelings and she wanted them.

Thinking of Noella sent the ire rising through her. Her face flushed hot as she thought of the woman who stole them out from under her. How dare she.

She paced her bedchamber, her hands clenching and unclenching into fists. How did the slippers get past her in the village? Who had them? And how were they able to conceal them? She knew they were there. She’d sensed their magic.

She halted her pacing and went to the tapestry concealing the Dark Mirror, shoving it aside.

“Dark Mirror, tell me what I seek. Where are the glass slippers?”

The mirror’s face appeared inside the smokey circle. “The young woman still has them, my beautiful and desperate queen.”

Fisting her hands, she said, “Where is she?”

There was a long pause before the mirror answered. “She is no longer in the village.”

When the mirror didn’t elaborate, she huffed out a heated breath. “Then where is she?”

“She comes to your keep, my dark and dangerous queen.” Another pause. “With the prince.”

“The prince?”

She tapped her forefinger against her chin as she resumed her pacing. “There is only one reason why the crown prince would come here. Perhaps he thinks to rescue my prisoner. And if the young woman is with him and she carries the slippers…” A laugh bubbled up her throat. “Well, then. I shall have them at last.”

“And the crown prince,” the mirror added.

“Ha! Yes, and the crown prince. Noella will have no choice but to bend the knee to me. And then…I shall rule all of Rovenheim. I must prepare.”

She covered the mirror once again and then hurried out to make sure her prisoner was secured.

A knocking on her door awoke her from a deep sleep. She sat upright in bed, trying to remember where she was as her surroundings were momentarily unfamiliar. Then it all came rushing back to her. Nicholas, the prince, bringing her to his castle, feeding her a delicious meal, and then taking her to her own private chamber where she had a luxurious bath and slept in the coziest bed.

The fire was now nothing more than embers and there was a chill in the room. She was reluctant to leave her snug nest.

“Rise and shine, my lady!” It was the older lady who had returned. She burst into the bedroom with an armload of clothes which she dumped on the end. She gave her a bright smile. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, very well, thank you.” Ella pushed aside the covers. When her bare feet hit the cold floor, a shiver went up her spine.

“His highness asked me to bring you some warmer clothes for your travels.” She waved to the mound on the bed. “Let’s get you dressed—oh!” She gasped when she saw the glass slippers on the table by the bed. She bustled over, leaning down to get a good look at them. “Those are lovely.”

Ella bent to pick up the sack that had fallen on the floor. She reached for one of the shoes, holding it up for the woman to see.

“They’re made of glass!” she said, her eyes alight with excitement.

Ella couldn’t hide her smile at the woman’s delight. “They are.”

She peered at them longingly. “There’s a legend about a pair of glass slippers. Have you heard it?”

Ella shook her head.

“It is said they can only be worn by the person they’re meant for, they make the wearer dance with beauty and grace, and can lead the wearer to her true love!”

Her heart did a tumble in her chest. Is that why her fairy godmother had gifted them to her? Because she knew they would, ultimately, lead her to Nicholas?

The woman leaned closer, dropping her voice to a whisper. “It’s also said they’re connected to the emotions of the wearer.”

She blinked, staring at the woman in shocked silence. Was that why Malvina wanted them so desperately? To use them to manipulate others?

“It is true?” Ella asked, her voice a whisper.

“Legends rarely are, dear.” The woman waved away the tale as if it were nothing but a silly myth. “Listen to me going on and on when we need to get you dressed. Your prince is waiting.”

A hot blush crawled up her neck. “Oh, he’s not my prince.”

“Oh?” She lifted one gray brow. “Seems to me he’s taking a liking to you, my dear.”

“How do you mean?” Ella clutched the slipper so tight, her hand cramped.

“He gave you one of the royal suites.” She waved a hand to encompass their surroundings.

The royal suite. Her heart did a wild dance as she tried to make sense of that.

“Come on, now. Let’s get you dressed.”

She reached for the slipper to take it out of Ella’s hand but she held it closer to her chest and shook her head. The woman pulled her hand back with a bemused look on her face.

“Just where did you get those slippers?”

“They were a gift from someone.” She almost said her fairy godmother but then she thought better of it. She placed the one she held inside the sack, then reached for the other one.

“It seems to me you need something better to carry them in,” the woman said as she eyed her.

“I don’t have anything else.”

A thoughtful look crossed her face. “Let’s get you dressed and then I’ll see what I can find.”

A few minutes later, the woman—who’s name she learned was Alice—had her dressed in layers that would surely keep her warm. Stockings, an underdress, a wool overdress and her boots. She’d add the final layer—the cloak Agnes gave her—when they left.

Alice had bustled out of her room and returned moments later with a small red velvet bag with a long drawstring. Ella transferred the slippers to the new bag. They were a perfect fit. Alice took the old flour sack with her tattered servant’s gown still in it.

“Will you be needing this anymore?” she asked as she held it up.

Ella thought about that for a moment as she considered whether or not she would ever wear that gown again. At last, she shook her head. “I won’t.”

“I’ll take care of it for you.”

And by that, Ella assumed she would dispose of it along with the gown.

“Now, let’s get you to the prince.”

She motioned for Ella to follow her. At the door, Ella paused to grab her cloak. They headed out of the royal suite—she was still stunned by that—and down the long hallway where Nicholas waited. He wore traveling clothes that were much like hers. Thick pants, boots, a thick long-sleeved tunic under a leather vest. A sword was strapped to one side, a dagger to the other. His cloak was over one arm. He gave her a warm smile when he saw her. It was clear he was happy to see her.

“Good morning!” He eyed the velvet bag. “What’s that?”

“The slippers,” she said, still clutching the bag to her.

“You could leave them here for safe keeping.”

Elle shook her head. “I’ll carry them.”

“I don’t think you’ll be getting her to part with them, your highness,” Alice said with a chuckle. Then she dipped a quick curtsy. “Safe travels and Godspeed to you both.”

With that, she was off down the hallway, leaving them alone.

“I only suggested it because of where we’re going,” he said.

She slipped the long drawstring over her shoulder and tucked the bag under her arm. “I would feel better keeping it on me.”

She was tempted to wear them, but then wearing glass slippers in the snow wasn’t practical.

“All right, then.” He held his arm out to her. “Shall we? Breakfast is waiting in the great hall.”

Her stomach rumbled at the thought. It had been a while since she’d had regular meals. The last time was before she was made to be a servant in her own home, when her father was still around and her stepmother wasn’t such a witch.

They walked down the curved staircase to the great hall where the fire was still blazing brightly in the oversized hearth, keeping the room warm. They feasted on thick porridge and oat cakes and washed it down with delicious hot tea.

As they finished, she wrapped her cloak around her shoulders. Magnus bustled in, wringing his hands. Worry lines creased his forehead.

“My prince, are you certain this is the best course of action?”

“Yes, Magnus. Have you the provisions I asked for?” He took Ella by the hand and led her out of the great hall, down a long corridor.

Magnus hurried to keep up, his breath labored with Nicholas’s quick steps. “Of course, they’re ready, but—”

“Are the horses saddled and packed?” Nicholas asked, cutting him off.

“Yes, your highness, but—”

“Good. Then we shall be on our way.”

“I really must protest,” Magnus said, trying again. “What if something should happen to you?”

Nicholas paused, still holding her hand, and turned to his steward. “I’ll be fine. We have a plan for getting into the fortress.”

Magnus’s eyes narrowed. “But do you have a plan for getting the girl and getting out?”

He pressed his lips together in a thin line. “Not exactly but I’m working on it.”

“Your highness, with the king and queen away, I simply must protest. My job is to make sure you are safe and this kingdom is safe. Seeing you run off to the Grimbrande Mountains seems like folly.”

Nicholas released her hand and took a step toward the steward. He put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Magnus. I promise you we’ll make it back in one piece and with the girl from the village.”

He said nothing for a long moment as he pressed his lips together. “And what shall I tell your mother should she return and ask after you?”

Nicholas cut a sheepish glance at Ella, then said, “Tell her not to worry.”

And with that, they were off.

He led her through the massive castle to the stables where two saddled horses waited for them along with one of the stable hands. Another man stood in front of the horses with his hands clasped in front of him, a fur-lined cloak around his shoulders to ward off the cold wintry air. He was tall, with a bearded face, crinkles at the corner of his eyes, and piercing dark brown eyes.

“Hello, Gustav,” Nicholas said as they approached. “Have you come to see us off?”

He scowled. “No, your highness. I intend to accompany you.”

Nicholas halted, his hand squeezing hers as Gustav cut a glance at her and gave her a good once-over, question deep in his eyes.

“You’re not coming with us.” Nicholas released her hand and headed for his horse.

She took a tentative step toward the other horse, watching to see what was going to happen next. Gustav moved to stand in front of Nicholas, blocking his path to the horse.

“I’m afraid I can’t let you go alone,” he said.

They had a long, silent staring competition.

“I can take care of myself,” Nicholas said.

Then Gustav nodded toward her with question creasing his face. “And what about her?”

“What about her?” Nicholas asked. “I can take care of her, too.”

Ella stepped forward, extending her hand. “I’m Ella, by the way.”

He was surprised by her sudden introduction and hesitated a moment before taking her hand in his. “Gustav. I’m Captain of the Guard. It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady.” He cut a glance to Nicholas. “And I’m coming with you no matter what you say.”

“Because you think it will be dangerous?” Ella asked.

“Because I know it will be dangerous,” he said.

“Then perhaps you should accompany us.” She walked around to her horse, stuck her foot in the stirrup and swung herself up into the saddle.

Nicholas gaped at her. Gustav did the same.

“Well, then, I guess you’re going with us,” Nicholas said then.

“As I should.” Gustav said with a nod.

Ella clutched the reins in her gloved hands and sat tall in the saddle, trying to decide how she felt about a great many things. First, about everyone calling her my lady when she certainly was not. Second, about Gustav coming with them on their trek to the Grimbrande Mountains to rescue Ingrid. While she thought it was a good idea, she much enjoyed Nicholas’s company and was looking forward to spending more time with him.

Gustav, it seemed, had anticipated the upcoming trip and already had a horse saddled and ready. When they were both seated and ready, Nicholas gave a quick nod.

“Well, then, let’s be on our way.”

Nicholas kicked his horse into a gallop and headed out of the stable. Gustav gave her a grin and motioned for her to go next.

“After you, my lady.”

She followed Nicholas, nudging her horse into a gallop. Gustav followed her, bringing up the rear.

And as they left the stable and the safety of Rovenheim castle, her gut clenched. She was on a new adventure with two men she hardly knew. What would her father think?

Alternatively, what would her stepmother think? She stifled a giggle at the thought of her stepmother’s horror-stricken look at the idea Ella was headed toward a place she had never seen to rescue a girl she had never met.

She was actually going on the adventure she had always dreamed of instead of cleaning chamber pots, cooking meals for the ungrateful, cleaning until her hands were raw, as well as doing all the mending and the sewing and taking care of all the animals while the three of them loafed around the manor. It made her heart smile and sent a thrill of excitement through her.

She sat a little taller in the saddle, clutched the reins a little tighter, and felt her confidence soar as they headed toward the port.