Chapter 27

T he return to the village was a shorter trip than when she and Nicholas initially left. They were on foot then. She was grateful for the horse now, especially since there was a foot of snow on the ground and flakes continued to trickle down from the wintery sky.

Ingrid chatted along the way, talking about her family. She had a younger sister, Freya, and a brother, Ivar. Her father was the town apothecary. Everyone knew him and their family. They lived in a small house on the outskirts, likely near Agnes and Lukas, her grandparents. She wanted a dog and had asked for one for Christmas. She was young and cheerful and loved to read fairy tales by the fire. She insisted having a dog would make her life much better.

As they arrived at the village gates, something was awry. Nicholas stiffened in the saddle, then, without warning, kicked his mount into a full gallop. She and Ingrid exchanged a curious look.

“What is it?” the girl asked.

“Something’s wrong,” Ella said. “Let’s hurry.”

She nudged her horse into a trot. Ingrid did the same. When they arrived at the gates, Nicholas dismounted and walked several steps into the village. Ella and Ingrid came to a halt and also dismounted. She followed him inside the gates.

There was an eerie silence. The village was deserted.

“I don’t understand,” he said. “It should be bustling with activity this time of year.”

On the other side of the village, though, the enormous tree stood dark. No lights twinkled like they had when Ella first arrived. The festive atmosphere was gone. The shops were closed and dark.

“This is Malvina’s doing,” he said, his breath pluming white in front of him. “Because she destroyed the Christmas Star.”

Ingrid stood between them and shuddered. She ran to her father’s shop. She tried the knob, but the door was locked. A closed sign was in the window. She cupped her face to peer inside it, then turned around, dejected.

“There’s no one there.”

“Perhaps we should take Ingrid to her home. Maybe her parents can tell us what’s happened,” Ella said.

Nicholas nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

Ingrid gave directions to her house. They returned to the horses, mounted, and then rode through the desolate village. Seeing the dark tree sent a pang of sorrow through Ella. As they passed by it, though, she saw the sparkling shards of the Christmas Star at the foot of it. Discarded. It gave her an idea. Once they delivered Ingrid safely to her parents, they could return and try to put the pieces back together.

It was a short ride to her home. The small cottage had one chimney with gray smoke curling out of it. A wood fence wrapped around the front yard. Snow heaped on the pickets. As they approached, Ingrid’s face broke into a joyful grin. She pulled her horse to a stop, jumped down from the saddle, and ran the rest of the way, her braids flopping behind her.

Ella and Nicholas both halted several feet from the gate. Ingrid burst through the front door, calling for her parents. Then there was silence. Relief sputtered through Ella knowing they had returned her home safely.

“Well…” Nicholas said. “I suppose our duty has been fulfilled.”

She nodded. “I suppose it has.”

“We should return to the castle before nightfall. My mother said a winter storm was coming.”

Her heart picked up speed, drumming hard in her chest. She tried not to read too much into the we of his statement.

“We should,” she agreed, her voice hoarse in the cold late morning air.

Nicholas turned his horse. Ella started to do the same, but as she did, Ingrid rushed out of the front door dragging a woman behind her. A man followed along with a girl and a boy. An older couple trailed after the two younger children. Agnes and Lukas.

Ingrid’s parents and siblings and grandparents.

Happiness shot through Ella seeing the reunited family, the smiles on their faces, the pure joy and relief at having their eldest returned.

“Nicholas, wait,” she said, her voice urgent.

He halted, turned back, and saw them all emerging.

“Wait!” Ingrid called, waving her hand in a giant wave. “I want you to meet my family!”

Ella hopped down from the saddle, her steps quick as she hurried to meet them. Nicholas was right behind her.

“But we’ve already met.” Agnes stepped around the others and headed right for Ella. She caught her in a fierce hug, squeezing her tight. When she pulled back, her face was bright with a smile. “Ella, I’m so happy to see you.”

“Hello, Agnes. I’m happy to see you, too.”

“You know each other?” Nicholas asked.

She nodded. “Yes. Agnes and Lukas took me in when I, ah, arrived.”

Ingrid’s mother bustled forward, then, pushing aside Agnes. She was tall, with long hair the same color as her daughters, pulled back and tied with a leather thong at the nape of her neck. She wore an apron over her woolen gown as though she had been in the middle of cooking and dropped everything when Ingrid arrived. There were tears in her pale green eyes. Tears of joy and relief and gratitude. She wrapped her arms around Ella, pulling her tight.

“Thank you. Thank you so much,” she breathed in Ella’s ear.

Ella squeezed her back, so happy for her and the rest of the family. When the woman pulled back, she held her at arm’s length, unable to stop smiling.

“You don’t know how worried we were and how grateful we are to have her back unharmed,” the woman said.

“We were happy to do it,” Nicholas said.

“Mama, this is the crown prince. I told you I met the prince! And the queen! And look. The queen gave me this necklace.” She fingered the tiny snowflake, showing her mother.

Her mother chuckled, then cut a glance at Nicholas. “Forgive us, your highness. We didn’t quite believe her when she said the Prince of Rovenheim and his lady brought her home.”

Ella flushed hot as she snuck a glance at Nicholas. He stepped forward, gave a bow to the woman.

“It was my lady’s idea to rescue Ingrid from the fortress.” Nicholas flashed Ella a smile, cheerfully giving her all the credit for their quest.

“Your highness, we forget our manners,” the man said. “Won’t you come inside for some tea?” He motioned to the still open door.

“We should return—” Nicholas began.

But Ingrid went to him, grasping his hand and gazing up at him with pleading eyes. “Please, Nicholas? Then you can help me tell them all about our grand adventure.”

Her mother lifted a brow, giving her daughter a sideways glance. “It was a grand adventure? To be kidnapped?”

“I’m sure the prince and his lady have far more important things to do than regale us with fairy tales, Ingrid,” her father said.

“It’s not a fairy tale, Papa! It’s the truth.”

Ella cleared her throat and stepped up next to Nicholas. “Perhaps we could stay for a pot of tea.” She made a show of shivering. “It’s a bit damp and cold out here and we’ve been riding for a long time.”

Nicholas gave her sideways glance. She flashed a smile and shrugged. Finally, he turned back to them.

“All right. I suppose we can stay for some tea.”

“And lemon cakes!” Ingrid added.

Then she skipped back into the house. Her sister, Freya, whispered loud enough for all to hear, “Did you really meet a pirate?”

***

Ella sat curled in the well-worn oversized chair with her legs curled under her while she held a cup of steaming tea under her nose. Her belly was full of beef stew and lemon cakes, leaving her feeling drowsy and comfortable and deliriously happy.

Before dinner, Lars had seen to their horses. He put them in his stable for the night and made sure they were fed and watered.

Now, Ingrid stood in front of the fireplace, telling her tale of rescue and escape, using all sorts of hand and arm gestures, while her parents and siblings listened in captivated silence.

Her parents, Lars and Ava, cuddled on the sofa. Freya perched on her mother’s lap. Ivar sat cross-legged on the floor looking up at his sister with wide-eyed wonder. Agnes and Lukas had excused themselves after dinner to return home.

Ella glanced at Nicholas, who sat in the chair across from her. Light smoldered in his deep blue eyes. Her heart turned over as he gave her a small, tired smile. She had a bit of guilt for talking him into staying, but he didn’t seem to mind nor did his appetite.

Ingrid’s favorite part was when Nicholas carried her to the gate after she’d sprained her ankle. She seemed to think that was the most romantic thing ever, making Ella blush to the roots of her hair. She pretended not to be affected by it by taking a sip of her tea.

“That’s quite a tale,” her father said.

“OH! I almost forgot.” Ingrid reached into her pocket and brought out the two boxes Noella gave her. She handed them to her siblings.

Freya’s eyes lit up when she opened the square box and pulled out the snowflake necklace that matched her sister’s. Ivar opened his to find a cloak pin in the shape of the famous Christmas Star that sat atop the giant tree in the village square.

“My goodness,” Ava breathed when she saw the gifts. Tears sparkled in her eyes as she looked at Nicholas. “Please convey our heartfelt thanks to the queen.”

He gave a nod. “I will.” Then he addressed Lars, “Why is the village deserted?”

Lars and Ava exchanged a glance. Ava set Freya on her feet and rose.

“Come, children. It’s time for bed.”

“But I’m not tired,” Ivar said, yawning.

She ushered them out of the room, but Ingrid turned and dashed back to Ella. She flung herself into her lap, slipping her arms around her neck and hugging her tight.

“I hope you marry the prince,” she whispered. Then she released her and hurried away with her mother and siblings.

Ella flushed, feeling the heat crawling up her neck. Her body was heavy and warm. She watched the others walk away, and did her best to avoid looking at Nicholas. She feared if she did, she would ask to stay with him.

Once Ava and the children were out of the room, Lars got to his feet. He stoked the dying fire, coaxing the flames back to life.

“Things changed when Malvina destroyed the Christmas Star.” He faced the fireplace, the yellow-orange light flickering over his bearded face.

Nicholas leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Changed, how?”

“People stopped coming to the village to shop. The mayor canceled the rest of the festivities. I’d already closed my shop when Ingrid was taken, but since the star was destroyed…” He paused, turned to face them. “It was as though all the joy of the season was destroyed, too.”

“There must be a way to repair it,” Ella said, thinking of the shards of the broken Star at the base of the tree.

Lars shook his head. “I know not. Only that…things are different. Quiet. Sad. Malvina’s attack left everyone terrified she would return and obliterate the village itself. The mayor thought it best to shut everything down. With Ingrid taken and the Star in pieces, it seemed like the best course of action.”

“The mayor was wrong,” Ella said, her words more vehement than she meant for them to be.

Nicholas gave her a surprised look as he glanced at her.

She uncurled her legs and stood, still clutching the tea cup, the porcelain warm in her hand. “There has to be some way to bring back the joy and festivities to the village.”

“Without the Christmas Star?” Lars gave her a doubtful look.

“Yes.”

“Do you have an idea, Ella?” Nicholas asked.

His intense gaze was on her. He, too, rose and their eyes met. His twinkling and full of life and hope. And something more. Something tender that made her heart turn over.

“I do. I want to return to village to see if we can repair the Star.”

“Well, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until morning,” Lars said. “It’s full dark and snowing quite hard.”

Ella glanced at the window with the parted curtain and saw he was correct. Snow came down in thick blankets of white.

“I’m afraid we’re stuck here,” Nicholas said.

Lars grinned. “That’s all right. We have a place you can stay.”

“I’ll take the sofa,” Nicholas said.

As if it was the most natural thing in the world for the Crown Prince of Rovenheim to sleep on someone’s sofa.

Ella didn’t miss the look of shock that plastered Lars’s face.

“But, your highness—”

“I insist.” He held up a hand to halt any more objections. “We’ve already inconvenienced you enough.”

“It’s no inconvenience, I assure you. It’s an honor to have you and your lady under our roof.”

Another blush. If Ella didn’t stop blushing every time she was called his lady , her face was going to light on fire.

“Still, I’ll take the sofa.”

“If you insist, your highness. I’ll have my wife bring you blankets.”

“Thank you, Lars.” When he looked at her, the wild blue depths of his eyes spoke to her in a way that made her gut clench into a tight knot. “Good night, Ella.”

It was a simple phrase. One that didn’t mean anything other than what he said. But the way he looked at her, the way he spoke to her, made her mind think it meant more .

“Good night, your highness.”

Though she had been using his given name, she didn’t want to seem too forward in front of their host. She followed Lars to the back of the cottage where there was a spare room with two double beds. An oil lamp burned brightly on the table in between them. The room décor was definitely that of two young girls.

“I hope you find this room comfortable.”

“Is this the girls’ room?” she asked.

“Yes, but, they’ll be sleeping with us tonight.”

“Oh, I couldn’t take their room.”

His face softened as he smiled. “I assure you they think it’s a grand thing to have the prince’s lady spend the night in their room.”

“But—” started to protest again.

“Sleep well, my lady.”

He gave her a nod of goodnight as he closed the door behind him.