Matthew stood behind the widest tree he could find, trying his best to calm himself and keep his ragged breathing from giving him away. A band of cavalry flew by just a few yards ahead of him. They had seemed to come out of nowhere. He’d seen the Gradenian colors out of the corner of his eye and run back to safety just before the horses crested a rise in the forest floor. As their hoofbeats echoed away, he rested his palms on his knees and leaned forward, sucking in air. If he’d been spotted and brought to Castle Graden, he was certain Leopold would have made Philip look like a gracious host.
His stomach rumbled, and his throat was dry. The rations Angel had packed for him were gone, the last of the water finished off earlier that morning. He could do without food a bit longer, but it was the urge to find clean water that had kept him walking even when the sun had come up, and he’d known better. If he didn’t find some soon, he knew from experience he would start feeling light-headed and weak.
Still unsure of where he was or what direction he was headed, Matthew glanced around for more troops before setting out on his journey again. If he could find a village, he’d be sure to find water there, though he may have to wait until dark to approach a well or spigot. His best bet would be a stream, but after hours of walking and none in sight, frustration was starting to set in. He pressed on, thoughts of reaching home and safety drowning out the pains in his stomach and the thickness of his tongue. He’d come this far, and he wouldn’t stop now, not until he reached Arterian forces or home.
King Leopold stared at the map in his war room, imagining his cavalry pouring into Clovington, seeping across the landscape like an inkwell had toppled over in the northeast section of the land. Before they’d left, he’d given his top commanders two orders. First and foremost, they were to find Matthew and bring him directly to Castle Graden. He had made it clear that the king was not to be killed, though there was not much he could do if His Majesty happened to get himself injured in the abduction. Perhaps a little pain might teach King Matthew a bit about why one should not try to escape.
His second order had been to avoid contact with the Arterian forces at all costs. Gradenia was not officially in this fight yet, and he wanted to make sure that, when an engagement happened, it was on his terms. His finest cavalry officer, a man with a deep scar on his face and the black eyes of a devil who went by the name of Striker, had a firm understanding of Leopold’s expectations, and he knew without a doubt each of his orders would be carried out. It was just a matter of time.
“Sir, the rider from the border has returned.”
Leopold pulled his eyes away from the map. “Send him in.”
The servant bowed his head and disappeared. A few moments later, the echo of boots behind him had Leopold turning around. The courier saluted, and Leopold gave him an impatient nod, awaiting his report.
“Your Majesty, the messenger from Eleanora returned to Nadoria late last night. This morning, her troops appear to be organizing. It isn’t clear yet where she intends to position them, but it seems the queen is unhappy about the status of her sister.”
Leopold frowned. “Still no sightings of the princess?”
“No, Your Majesty. If she is in Arteria, Caleb has made no such announcement.”
“Why would he?” Leopold questioned, although he understood Caleb was more likely to send word to Katherine’s family of her safe arrival than he would be if she had arrived in Gradenia. Caleb tended to be more diplomatic. “Continue to keep an eye on those forces, and let me know when they are dispatched.”
The man saluted again and then turned to go. Leopold sank back against the corner of his table, stroking his mustache as he pondered the situation. If he could find a way to pin Katherine’s disappearance on Caleb, when Eleanora brought her forces in, they’d be headed to Clovington to battle Arteria, not facing off against him for housing Philip. He shook his head. His cousin was becoming even more of a problem by the minute. While this farce of a military endeavor had provided Leopold the opportunity to potentially gain vengeance against Caleb for the atrocities he’d committed against Leopold’s beloved, late sister, it wasn’t yet completely in his control. There had to be a way he could use the situation to gain Eleanora’s trust, claim Clovington for himself, and make Caleb pay. He needed the Nadorian forces because, despite the pomp he used to tout his military forces, they weren’t truly as strong as he liked to let on, his numbers dwindling recently as many soldiers abandoned the ranks, headed home to combat a drought that had recently plagued the kingdom.
The king slumped back into his chair, his eyes on the map. Finding Matthew was the first step in all of this, and since he was aware of the tunnel Matthew had likely taken now that he’d done some inquiry, his men knew where it let out. “You can run, but you can’t hide—not forever,” he muttered, eyeing the map. It was just a matter of time.
The Nadorian forces were on display before her, but Eleanora’s mind was wandering. They had a fine army, as well as a navy, though they wouldn’t be using those forces against landlocked enemies. Eleanora had given the rebuilding of the army her full attention after the invasion when she was younger, the same conflict that had made her a queen, so she had no doubt her forces could successfully face off against anyone. All of this was just a show, as she was certain they were being watched. Where she would dispatch them remained to be seen. She’d sent a dispatch to Caleb late the night before, but the ride to Arteria was much further than to Gradenia and there were soldiers from three foreign militaries in the way. Her thoughts were on her sister as she prayed Caleb would send word that Katherine was safe.
The queen had no reason not to trust Caleb. In fact, they would probably have formed an alliance long ago, given a reason to do so. But Nadoria did not share a border with Arteria. They were both port kingdoms and trade partners, but Nadoria always tried to avoid conflict whenever possible since the invasion had claimed so many of their resources. Therefore, she had seen no reason to align her kingdom with a land known for having a strong military and a king not afraid to use it.
Due to her parents’ dealings with Clovington long ago, and Katherine’s promised hand, Eleanora knew they would eventually become allies with the nation that bordered most of their lands on the east. Even when Philip had requested assistance with the Arterians, however, she had refused. It was not her fight, not yet. She had been confident in Philip’s ability to keep her sister safe, knowing that he had a strong ally in Gradenia and that Katherine’s location was not far from their shared border. For some reason, she’d thought Philip would find a way to make peace with Arteria before the invasion ever reached Blackthorn.
Why Philip had waited so long to evacuate was beyond her. It was no secret that the Arterians were making their way to Castle Blackthorn. He’d had plenty of warning. Philip must have let his ego get the best of him, and now her sister was missing.
Waving at the cavalry officers as they paraded by, Eleanora placed a smile on her face despite the knots in her stomach. She thought back to the dispatch she’d received that morning, a letter from Philip. She’d explained to Kenneth through clenched teeth. “Philip claims that Katherine is his wife, that because the relationship was consummated, she is his queen, and he wants her returned to him—not to me. He’s requesting that we send in forces to remove the Arterians from Clovington, restoring his kingdom to him, freeing Katherine from the evil clutches of King Caleb, assuming he has her, and cultivating our relationship as allies.”
The expression on Kenneth’s face had said it all. Surely, Philip couldn’t seriously expect Nadoria to come in and do his dirty work for him? “What do you think of that?” he’d asked.
She’d snickered. “I think we will be calling on Father Hagey soon for an annulment. Or a funeral.”
Her husband had chuckled in agreement. Eleanora couldn’t imagine her sister had consented to consummating her relationship without a proper wedding, and if Philip had forced her, well, it was yet another reason to hate the bastard.
Kenneth’s hand rested on top of hers, and Eleanora turned her head to look at him. His smile was reassuring, not at all forced as hers was. He believed they’d find Katherine unharmed, and she had to trust in that as well. What she would do with her sister when this was all over remained to be seen, but Eleanora was done using her siblings to build alliances.
James, her brother, had not taken the news of Katherine’s disappearance well at all. He stood fuming on the next balcony, his arms crossed, not even pretending to smile. She’d insisted he stay here, that he not go riding off looking for the younger sister he adored, but she knew it was only a matter of time before he would disobey that order if she didn’t let him go.
The band struck up another march, and the crowd clapped their hands in time to the beat. Eleanora’s head bobbed up and down, her smile unfaltering as she contemplated her next move.
The interior of Castle Caine was pleasant, with bright colors and open windows, at least in the section Katherine had seen on her way to a small sitting room next to the library. Though it was not nearly as large as Blackthorn or Meadington, Katherine could see why Matthew had loved growing up here. He had mentioned that his family kept several palaces, and while Caine was their foremost residence, they visited the other locations often enough that his grandfather had felt no need to maintain a massive structure. The smaller size made the castle seem quaint in a homey sort of way. Settling back against the settee she’d been led to, she imagined two princes running about the hallways, playing with toy swords.
Caine might be small, but Katherine knew it was secure. She hadn’t seen much of the fortress when she’d approached, but she’d heard tales of how difficult it was to get into, with battlements and high walls as well as shear drop-offs to ravines on two of the four sides. Knowing Philip wouldn’t be coming for her had set her mind at ease, even if the rest of the situation was unsettling.
Footsteps outside in the hall produced an older woman who stepped into the room carrying a tea service and biscuits. “Good morning!” Her friendly smile lit up the doorway as she paused a moment before crossing and setting the tray on the table in front of her. “How are you, dear? Would you like some tea? Sugar? One lump or two?”
Katherine looked around the room, puzzled. Did this woman know her true identity, or was she always this polite? Deciding the woman meant her, the princess indicated that she would like some tea and one lump of sugar was fine. She took the teacup, nodding in thanks and sipped it slowly.
“Good, isn’t it?” the woman asked, taking a seat next to her on the settee. Katherine nodded, smiling in appreciation. “I make the best tea of anyone in all Arteria,” she continued. “In fact, I make the best everything in all Arteria!” The older woman laughed heartily, and Katherine smiled broadly, thinking she’d never met anyone quite like this woman before. The princess couldn’t quite figure her out; her clothing suggested she was a servant, but the way she spoke implied she was something more.
Pouring herself a cup of tea and adding at least three, if not four, cubes of sugar, she said, “My name is Caroline, and I’m the cook. While there are others who find their way about the kitchen, but none quite as skilled as me.” She laughed again, patting Katherine on the leg vigorously. Katherine was still amused but found her behavior odd. Despite the laugh lines and crow’s-feet on her smiling face, the woman had a youthful glow about her. Katherine thought she might be in her fifties and realized she must know Matthew. She had so many questions she wished she could ask but no way to manage them.
Taking another sip and setting her cup on her saucer, she asked, “Now, your name is Rose, isn’t it dear?”
Katherine wasn’t sure how to answer that. She didn’t want to lie, but she also knew Caroline was not likely to believe her if she attempted to explain who she really was. Without an answer from Katherine, Caroline continued as if she didn’t require one anyway. “And you’re from Clovington? You, uh, work at the castle?”
Again, Katherine did not answer. She certainly didn’t want someone as kind as Caroline thinking she was employed in the vocation Rose had shouted to the rest of the crowd. Her lack of response did not stop Caroline from continuing to ask more questions. “Now, it doesn’t bother me one bit that you don’t talk, dear. I had a friend once, many, many years ago, who never said a word, not one. Best friend I ever had. So, don’t you worry one bit about that.” She leaned over and patted Katherine’s leg again, her warm smile making her feel at ease.
“Martin, that is, Officer Gordon, tells me that you know my dear, sweet, kindhearted Matthew. Is that right?”
To this question, Katherine quickly replied, nodding her head and smiling, thankful that Caroline had brought him up.
“Isn’t he just the sweetest boy... man... you’d ever met? Oh, how I miss him.” She tilted her head up and gazed longingly at the ceiling for a moment. Katherine sipped her tea quietly, waiting for her to return to the conversation. Clearing her throat, she looked at Katherine again. “Now, let me tell you, love, Caleb and his men will be in shortly to ask you some questions. We’ve been missing our Matthew around here for quite some time. Everyone is very eager to find him. You can understand that, I’m sure?” Katherine nodded, and she continued. “Just remember they’re men—they don’t think like we do. Do your best to let them know the information that you have, and it will all be fine. All righty, love? When you’re done, why don’t you come join me in the kitchen, and we’ll have a little snack?”
Katherine didn’t know if she should feel relieved at Caroline’s assurance that everything would be fine or nervous that a group of men would be coming in to interrogate her. She was glad that it seemed she had finally made a friend--an actual friend, unlike Rose--something she had been missing since Joan’s disappearance, and she was looking forward to getting to know Caroline more. She nodded in agreement, hoping she’d actually be allowed to find Caroline when Caleb was through with her.
The sound of rapid footsteps from several pairs of boots had her heart leaping into her throat. Caroline patted her leg once more as Caleb opened the door. Katherine accidentally met his eyes for a moment before dropping them. He didn’t approach her yet, choosing to step over toward the wide window across the room as the rest of the men filed in. There were four in total—Caleb, Gordon, the officer who had brought her here, the officer who had addressed them earlier whose name she did not know, and an older gentleman dressed like a noble whom Katherine had not seen before.
“Well, that’s my signal to exit,” Caroline whispered, leaning over to her ear before she collected the tea service. She didn’t reach for Katherine’s cup, so she continued to hold it, almost unaware it was still in her hand. “You come see me in a bit, sweetheart.” She smiled at her one more time before heading toward the door. Instead of exiting, she took a few steps over toward Caleb who gave her his attention, and Katherine heard her whisper sharply, “Be nice!”
The king nodded as if he’d received an order from a parent, and Katherine set her cup down, noticing her hand was shaking. What if Rose was right and Caleb actually was a tyrant?
She would soon find out. There were two chairs across from where Katherine was sitting, one on the other end of the table, and a spot near her on the settee where Carline had been seated. The men seemed to be having a private conversation about where to begin before they approached. Katherine kept her eyes on the rim of her teacup as they chose their seats. Caleb and the other officer sat across from her, the nobleman in the other chair, and Gordon took up a position behind the settee, standing to her left. She glanced up at him, and he smiled reassuringly before she refocused her eyes on her hands.
It had been at least a half an hour since Katherine had stepped forward in the crowd. She assumed they’d had an opportunity to discuss how they would go about the process of interviewing her, but when Caleb began to speak, he seemed either anxious or nervous. She didn’t raise her eyes to look at him, keeping them focused on her lap. “Rose, you have met Officer Gordon. This is another of my commanders, Sir Dale, and this other gentleman is our royal physician, Russell de Sien.”
“How do you do?” The physician nodded his head politely, and Katherine glanced up at him long enough to return the gesture.
Caleb continued. “We hope that you might have some information that can help us locate my brother, King Matthew.”
Again, Katherine nodded her understanding, not meeting his eyes.
He cleared his throat again. “Forgive me if this is too personal a question, but I want to ensure that we are all clear regarding your... condition. Is it true that you cannot speak?”
Slowly, Katherine rocked her head back and forth. Gordon stirred behind her, and she glanced in his direction. His smile was still reassuring, but she understood they were all disappointed to hear she wouldn’t be able to tell them anything with words.
She noticed Caleb had turned his attention to Russell, so she gave her attention to him. It was easier to look him in the eyes than the king. “Miss, is the nature of your disability physical?” he asked.
Katherine wasn’t sure how to answer that question or what difference it made. She had been able to speak at one time, so she assumed there was nothing physically wrong with her, but now that it had been so many years since she’d tried, she truly had no idea. Still, she found herself shaking her head. As far as she knew, it wasn’t a physical ailment.
The doctor glanced back at Caleb. And then, he took up that annoying habit that Katherine detested. He spoke about her as if she was not in the room. “It must be a mental incapacity of some sort,” he said quietly to the king.
Caleb nodded, as if he’d already gathered that. He leaned toward her, and Katherine almost looked up at him but didn’t quite find his face. “Rose, was Matthew being held in the secret room in the tower, the highest tower in the front of the castle?”
She nodded her head, glad they had found the secret passage. Perhaps, then, they knew just as much as she did.
But they seemed to think she might know more. “Do you know when he escaped?” Dale asked in his thick accent.
Again, she nodded. She supposed he’d left shortly after she fled his room, but she had no way of letting him know that. They would have to guess.
Even without looking directly at him, she could tell the king was growing frustrated. He adjusted in his seat, leaning back and then to the side, moving his feet as he did so. Gordon must have sensed the agitation as well, so he asked the next question. “Was it on the same day that we took control of the castle?”
She looked up at him and nodded her head, wishing she could signal that it was right before the battle.
This information seemed to be a bit helpful. The men glanced around at each other, confirming their suspicions, and seeming to mark their mental checklists.
“Do you know what direction he was headed?” Gordon asked.
Katherine confirmed that she did with another nod.
The next question came from Caleb, “West, then?” he asked succinctly.
Katherine considered the map she’d drawn. She wasn’t particularly good with directions, but she knew the tunnel led away from Arteria, and Arteria was to the east of Clovington. Once again, she nodded.
Caleb shot up out of his chair, startling her. He began to pace back and forth in front of her, near the door. The king’s disposition seemed to be shifting quickly, and Katherine wasn’t sure what to think of it. Katherine glanced up at Gordon who was still smiling at her, but he also looked worried.
Turning his attention to the king, Gordon suggested, “Perhaps we should show her the map?”
Caleb looked at each of them briefly as if he was trying to determine whether or not it was a good move before he nodded, and Gordon pulled a piece of parchment out of his pocket.
Katherine recognized it immediately and gasped. “We found this… in Princess Katherine’s room.” he began. They must think there was some connection between the princess and Rose because of the information the harlot had given them earlier, but they were be confused by the situation. “Have you ever seen it before?”
Still shocked, she took the map she had drawn for Matthew from his hands and inspected it. She was surprised they’d found it with all of the wedding materials strewn about the room. Caleb had stopped pacing and stood with both hands resting on the back of his chair, his eyes searing into her. Katherine acknowledged she had seen the map before.
“You drew the map?” Caleb asked her. Without lifting her eyes from the paper, she confirmed that she had. Seeing it now reminded her of Matthew, especially looking at the back where she had written, “I am scared.” She felt the sting of tears against the back of her eyes, overwhelmed with the pressure of this interrogation and her desperation to see Matthew again.
Caleb must’ve noticed her staring at the writing. “He wanted you to come with him, but you were too scared? What were you scared of? Philip? Your family? My soldiers?”
Katherine couldn’t keep up with the rapid-fire questioning, so she just stared down at the paper, trying to hold back her tears. Caleb sighed in frustration, but she needed a moment to compose herself.
Gordon’s hand rested gently on her shoulder. Through tear-filled eyes, Katherine looked up at him. “We just want to find him,” he said quietly.
That’s all she wanted to do as well. She took a deep breath and considered how she could let them know what the situation had been between herself and Matthew, but it wasn’t something she would’ve been able to put into words even if she had them.
Caleb leaned forward, his elbows on the back of the chair now and his head in his hands. “I’m not sure what else to do,” he muttered as Katherine dabbed at the tears in her eyes. Gordon produced a handkerchief and handed it to her. She thanked him and pressed back the tears as Caleb inquired, “Do you know where that tunnel lets out?”
She honestly had no idea. She had heard that most of the tunnels running under Blackthorn were about a quarter of a mile long, but she also knew that some of them were longer. She hadn’t gone very far down the expanse, just far enough to make sure Matthew could clear the height. The tears threatened again as she shrugged, and thinking she might wet the map and ruin it, she set it on the table in front of her.
When Caleb spoke again, the frustration in his voice was even stronger, and it rattled her. “Aren’t you from Clovington? Shouldn’t you have some sort of an idea where this tunnel leads?” Katherine sank back into the couch slightly, even though he hadn’t moved toward her.
“Your Majesty,” Russell said quietly, a lilt of a reminder in his tone.
Caleb closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, rising to his full height. Katherine’s tears sprang free again, and she focused on the teacup, wishing Caroline was still here to make her laugh.
Before she realized what he was doing, Caleb was directly in front of her. He pushed the map and teacup aside and perched on the coffee table, his knees on either side of hers, his hands taking hold of her arms. He didn’t squeeze, but he did move her so that she had little choice but to turn and face him. His eyes seemed to penetrate right through as he plead with her. “Listen, Rose. I’m desperate. I need your help. I have to find my brother.”
That’s what she wanted, too, but she had no way of telling him that. He already knew everything of significance she could reveal. If she could look at a map of Clovington and point to where she thought Matthew might be, she’d do it, but there wasn’t anything more she could do to help him.
Caleb’s tone changed slightly. “What do you want?” Her eyes widened, and she tipped her head to the side, not sure what he was implying. “I’ll give you anything. The finest gowns. The most luxurious jewels. Anything you ask for. Anything you want.”
“Your Majesty...” Russell said again, a bit more forceful this time.
“Please, Rose, tell me what you know. Where is he?” The last question was a demand, and he shook her slightly before he let her go and shot up off of the coffee table, pulling at his caramel hair in frustration as he moved back around to where he’d been pacing.
Tears splashed against her cheeks as Katherine thought about the time she’d spent with Matthew, how meaningful each moment had been and how his brother just couldn’t understand. Watching his reaction to her inability to communicate was unsettling, but she understood his frustration as she felt it herself.
“Dammit,” Caleb said quietly, pacing behind the chair. The anger got the best of him then and he kicked the leg of the chair he’d been sitting in, sending it spilling over. “Dammit!” he yelled again, kicking the table.
The other two men who’d been seated hopped up, moving toward him. “All right, all right then,” Gordon was saying, his hands on Katherine’s shoulders, pulling her back toward the couch so she’d know she was safe. She wasn’t frightened of Caleb, but his outburst was alarming. She stared at him as Dale and Russell attempted to calm him down.
“Let’s go discuss what we do know, and see where that leaves us,” Dale was saying. Caleb nodded, but his face was still red.
“Perhaps Katherine will have more information than she let on,” Russell suggested. The idea that they still thought Rose was the princess made the real Katherine’s stomach churn, but she would be glad to let the other woman be interrogated for a moment. She understood Caroline’s warning now.
“Thank you for your assistance,” Russell said over his shoulder as he began to move the king toward the door, with Dale’s help.
Katherine didn’t even acknowledge the statement, only stared after them. She’d gotten her audience with the king and managed to convey next to nothing.
Gordon came around to the front of the settee and sat down next to her. “I apologize,” he said, his voice soft. Katherine pulled her eyes away from the door where Caleb and the others had disappeared and looked at him. “He is a wonderful man. A genius. Brave, generous. But... sometimes he loses his temper.”
She could see that. Katherine acknowledged the statement, thankful that her tears had dried up.
Gordon continued. “Caroline mentioned she’d like for you to come to the kitchen when you’re ready. Take your time in here, and then, when you’re ready, head down the hall to your left. It’s down a bit and on the right. You’ll smell it before you arrive.” He laughed, and she found herself smiling, despite the situation. “We are grateful for your help, Rose. It takes a brave woman to step forward, particularly under the circumstances. I hope you will find your stay at Castle Caine a pleasant one.”
Katherine smiled at him, realizing for the first time the officer had an amorous look in his eyes. He patted her arm and stood, leaving her wondering whether or not it was Rose’s statement about her that had him wishing her well or if he simply found her appealing.
He’d taken a few steps when she realized she had his handkerchief. She lifted it in his direction. “Keep it,” he said. “I hope that you don’t need it again, but should you, at least you’ll have it.”
She smiled in thanks and watched him leave, glad to be alone for a few moments to gather her thoughts. Eventually, she thought Caleb would discover her true identity. When he did, she hoped his reaction wasn’t as violent as the display she’d seen a moment ago. Someone had righted the chair, though she hadn’t seen who. She wondered if sometimes it was people he knocked about or if only furniture suffered from his outbursts. She hoped she’d never find out.