Ella had never been inside the palace, but she’d driven by it enough times to feel intimidated by its splendor. The tall parapets stretched too many stories for her to make sense of, and the light-colored stone exterior looked like a welcoming, yet impenetrable, fort.
Remus’ face was relaxed but his tone was firm. “Stay with me, all of you. And if anyone wants to back out, this is your one shot. Once we get in there, you’re in, which means you can’t change your mind. I can protect you, but only if you stay by my side.”
The wolves nodded, lowering their heads in obeisance.
Remus pulled into the circular drive Ella first met Henry in, and parked, handing his keys to the valet. He got out of the car and walked around, offering Ella his hand like a true gentleman. “Miss Ella,” he greeted her, taking her shaking fingers in his steady grip.
Her blonde hair had dried in a waterfall of curls that she’d swept into a harried ponytail on the way there. When she heard a camera’s click the moment she got out of his car, and then two more, her nerves began to rattle around in her chest. Her eyes widened as she looked down at her flannel and jeans, knowing she wasn’t the belle of the ball by any means. “Why are they taking my picture?”
Remus tucked her under his arm to shelter her body, bringing her hand to wrap around his abdomen to keep them glued together. The partial embrace soothed them both as they began to breathe in harmony. “Haven’t you heard the gossip? You’re my young secret lover, and this is the first time we’ve been spotted together in weeks. Can you imagine the scandal?” He smirked at the camera, keeping her tight to his side as he opened the car’s backdoor to address the Lupine. “Come on out, and remember, stay close to us.”
The cameras multiplied, and were soon joined by shouts of terror as Errol, Guadalupe and Connor emerged from Remus’ town car. Ella’s hand dropped from Remus’ stomach to rest atop Connor’s head. Errol stayed tight to Remus’ side, and Guadalupe took the lead, her head raised high as if to tell them all that she belonged at the ball every bit as much as the gawkers did.
The five moved forward as a unit, turning a deaf ear to the many who shouted at them to get the Lupine out, as well as asking Ella how Remus Johnstone fared in bed. The guards at the front moved to block the way, but Remus waved them off with a flick of his wrist. “I’m hand-delivering an eligible maiden to Prince Henry. Do step aside.”
“I’m afraid we can’t allow that. Lupine are dangerous, Mr. Johnstone.”
Remus’ eyes narrowed but he held tight to Ella. He pulled out his phone and called his first speed dial. “Hello, Stefan. The guards won’t let me inside without authorization. Can you come out and tell them that I and my guests are to be let inside the castle?”
Ella moved the wolves to stand between herself and the door, in case anyone in the gathering crowd behind them decided they were brave enough to attack her friends. Though they could handle themselves in a fight, Ella knew that even if they didn’t instigate a brawl, they would be blamed for it nonetheless. The three oversized wolves sat like gargoyles, perfect and statuesque, until the front doors opened and the Chancellor himself strolled out. He smiled at his brother but then stopped short, recoiling when his eyes fell on the wolves. His fists tightened as he glowered at his younger sibling. “Remus? Explain.”
Remus beamed at his older brother as if there was nothing tense at all in the moment. “Ah, Stefan. How are you? I brought a few guests to see the king.”
“I see that. I trust you can control your escorts?”
“Actually, they belong to Miss Ella, here. She’s my secret lover.”
Ella flushed crimson and buried her face in her palm. “Would you knock it off with that? Pleased to meet you, Chancellor, sir.”
The Chancellor studied Ella, and then light dawned in his eyes. “Ah, yes. Rory’s little friend. Quite the entrance you’re making, young lady.” He studied his brother with a wary expression, and then sighed. “Well, it’s not as if I’m going to stop you. Come on in.” He held open the grand double doors that stretched two stories high, shooting the guards a look of apology. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Remus.”
Remus kept Ella on his arm with a grin. “Oh, Stefan. I rarely know what I’m doing, only that it’ll be an adventure. Won’t you join us?”
Ella’s stomach was in knots as she walked with the two important men, rethinking her plan and wondering if it was foolish. She wanted to be heard. She longed for the Lupine and their problems to be seen. But with every step she took, she wondered if they would be viewed as the victims they were in it all, or if they would always be seen as society’s menace.
The fine ruby draperies made sweat break out on the nape of her neck. The intricately woven tapestries that hung along the grand hallway told stories of a lineage she knew she had no business being near. Still, she had to try. If after today the king still couldn’t give his blessing, she would have to accept it and walk away from Henry for good.
An endless string of panic flowed through her until they stopped in front of a short line of three women who were waiting their turn to greet the king and the beloved Prince Henry. They were decked out in the latest fashions, their dresses low-cut, tight and meant to draw Henry’s eye. The women shrieked at the sight of the wolves, and one even ran away, forfeiting her spot as next in line.
The Chancellor ran his hand over his face. He looked much like Remus, only aged with a bit of gray brushing his temples. There were also a few lines of worry around his eyes from being second-in-command of a kingdom. He had a seriousness to him, juxtaposing Remus’ constantly cool demeanor. “If I haven’t told you before, dear brother, you sure do know how to make an entrance.”
“Wait until you see the surprise I have planned for your birthday. At least this way people get a good story.” When the Chancellor didn’t appear amused, Remus rolled his eyes. “It was her idea, not mine, though I fully support it. Any secret lover of mine can do as she pleases. I’m an utter slave to her whims.”
“I’m too nervous for your jokes right now,” Ella admitted, her hand brushing over her churning stomach. She took a deep breath to center herself, closing her eyes as Remus kissed her temple.
He let his lips rest there while he spoke quietly to her. “You look smashing, Miss Ella. And remember, you’re the only one Henry wants to see.”
Ella ran her hands down her flannel, making sure it wasn’t wrinkling at the edges as she stood straighter. “Better?”
He kissed her nose. “Best.”
The Chancellor adjusted the red sash he wore across his tailored black suit, stepping forward as the next girl moved into the courtroom. “Rory and Cordray are in the ballroom. After the women are dismissed, they’re free to drown their sorrows in as much of the king’s wine as they please.”
“She won’t be dismissed,” Remus assured his brother.
“You’ll be lucky if you’re both not locked up after this.”
Ella’s voice was quiet but she had to know. “Has Henry chosen anyone yet?”
“No, and not for lack of options. Some even came prepared with songs and skits and other such talents to show off for him. It’s been quite the eventful day for him. He’s been given quite a few gifts as well.”
Ella patted her pockets with wide eyes, glancing ahead at the woman who was next, noting her smug smile as she fingered a brightly-wrapped package. “I don’t have anything for him! I didn’t think this through.”
Remus wrapped his arms around her, bringing her chin up so he could gaze lovingly into her eyes. “There’s not a thing he wants more than you. Remember that.”
Ella stiffened when the door opened to usher in the only other woman in the line, leaving her to be announced next. She pressed her forehead to Remus’ chest, listening to his whispered instructions for her to breathe through the panic and center herself. “Quick now, send out your Sight. I want you to look into the ballroom and see how many concealed weapons you can find.”
“What?”
“You can offer the king’s son more than just your heart. You can give him protection like no one else. The ballroom is through the courtroom. Quick now, send out your Sight.”
Ella did as she was guided. She sent her Sight on a mission, seeking out anything that might be dangerous. The sea of beautiful dresses and sleek suits set her mind whirling, but she reined it in, knowing she didn’t have much time. Her eyes touched on a string quartet, their bows commanding the hundreds of dancers in the gold-bedecked ballroom.
The dancing was formal and filled with men picking off the women who were coming down from feeling rejected after so much buildup. She saw Rory and Cordray, grinning as they waltzed together next to Adam and Belle, who looked at each other as if there was no one else in the enormous ballroom.
Ella had never searched out a specific item before, but once she visualized a dagger, her brain skipped all over the ballroom, seeing through coat pockets and purses, dinging on twenty-seven concealed daggers in less than a minute.
“We shouldn’t be here,” Ella said as she brought herself back to the people in front of her. “I need to tell the guards about the threat.”
“What’s going on, Remus? What’s she talking about?”
“First things first.” Remus turned Ella as the double doors opened. “I don’t think you should keep your prince waiting any longer.”
The king stood as the wolves made their way into the courtroom first. “Who let the Lupine into the castle? Guards!”
The three wolves froze, and Ella could hear their internal debate on whether or not they should fight back to avoid being detained. “Wait! Your majesty, they’re with me.” Ella forgot her fear when four guards moved in toward her puppies. She stood firmly in the center of the three and held up her hands. “They came because they need your help.”
The king scowled at the Chancellor and Remus. “What’s the meaning of this?”
Remus moved to stand next to Ella. “Hear her out, your majesty.”
The king held up his hand to pause the guards, meeting Ella’s eyes with a regal glare that made her want to shrink away. “I’m listening. Do not make me regret it.”