We arrive back at the castle as the sun crests the horizon. I admire the view, knowing it might be my last sunrise. I thought my bottom had been sore from the spankings and riding earlier, but the nausea from my stomach feels far worse. I've failed the king and myself.
Vincent climbs off his horse first, waiting for me to step down. He approaches, offering his hand.
"Can I have my shoes back?" I ask.
He grunts under his breath, stalks back to his horse, and unpacks my heels that he'd stowed away. Grabbing both sparkling shoes, he comes back over to me and shoves them into my hands.
"Thank you," I say, only half appreciative of the gesture. At least he didn't throw them into the nearby stream that we crossed on our way back to the castle. Sitting atop the horse, I slide my legs to one side, careful not to fall as I slip my heels back on before jumping down. My bottom is still raw.
Vincent is at my side, either making sure I don't fall or run. I can't tell which he worries more about. He's been quiet the ride back to the castle and though it is now incredibly early, is it the hour that is cause of his silence or something else entirely?
I let him lead me into the castle; he's just a step ahead of me. I can smell the sweet aroma of bread in the nearby kitchen, and my stomach speaks louder than I do.
He glances at me over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised. All I can offer is a shrug. Seems I'm hungrier than I realized. "Tell me something." He keeps his voice low, so that the exchange is solely between us. "Do you know Charlotte, the woman who was to be my wife?"
Shall I continue my deceit and lie to Vincent? She didn't want this life of royalty and danger, a daring blend that isn't for everyone. I've yet to answer, knowing the heartache I might inflict should he know the truth. Then again, wouldn't it be better for him so that he might move on?
"Yes," I say with my head bent down and eyes cast on the floor.
"You do?" Vincent takes a quick breath in.
He probably didn't expect my honest answer or the fact that I do know her. "I don't know where she is," I say. It isn't a lie. I may have sent her away, but I don't know the specifics, nor would I tell him. "It's best if you find yourself another mistress to take as your wife."
Vincent stops walking, and I nearly run into him. I take a step back. "Why are we stopped?"
"How do you two know each other?"
I shift on my feet. Do I dare tell him about Hannah? She was the reason Charlotte ventured to the palace. Prior to that, the young girl had no ambitions. "Charlotte was one of my girls."
His eyes widen, and his nostrils flare. He takes a step back, shaking his head. "No. That can't be right. She was a proper lady with a dowry."
A dowry earned from her time with me. I bite my lip. I shouldn't have told him. What good will it do for him to know the truth? All I've done is create another mess. I pinch the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache coming on. "Maybe we're talking about two different people. There has to be more than one Charlotte in Paris."
Vincent nods. "Right." That's enough of answer for him. "I'm sure that's it." He continues down the hall faster, and I practically have to run to keep up. The heels are doing me no favors. Approaching a closed door, Vincent gives a forceful knock and we wait.
All I hear are muffled voices on the other end of the room. A slight click and then the door is opened a tad with a guard's head popping out. "Can I help you?"
"Please tell King Alexander that I have returned with Helene."
My eyes widen, and I step forward. "It's really no rush. If he's busy, we can come back later." My words slur together out of nervousness, and I feel my heart wanting to leap out of my chest.
"Step aside," King Alexander says to his guard standing at the door.
I hold my breath, though unintentional. King Alexander examines me as I stand before him wearing Hannah's dress and shoes. His eyes linger a moment longer than necessary. What is he thinking?
"Did you find the traitor to the crown?" the king asks.
I find my voice and contain the quiver as best I can. "No, Your Majesty. Christopher was a coward and escaped the moment he learned his life would be on the line. Perhaps his wife is guilty of treason."
The king steps out from the room, shutting the door behind him. I've no idea what's inside there. He's cautious to not let me see, which suggests it's probably the war room. Every royal palace contains one for battle plans.
"Of course, she's guilty. You've returned to face your own death," King Alexander says.
I lift my gaze and meet his steel stare. "I have nothing left to lose."
"A smart girl," Alexander says and takes my arm, guiding me down the hall. "Leave us," he tells Vincent who stands down on his command. Once we're alone, walking the corridors, the king turns to me. "If I execute you, Mistress Helene, then it'll be known about the act of treason Katherine committed. We're executing her in secret. We'd rather not let the enemy know we discovered their plans for attack. Do you understand my predicament?"
"I won't tell a soul, but I can't promise the same for Christopher."
Alexander laughs under his breath and rests a hand upon my shoulder. "I'm not worried. That boy will piss himself before he speaks the truth."
I don't answer, merely stare into his dark blue pools.
"In the meantime, you will need to find a way to work off your debt. It's not free, taking a guard for the day and wasting my time and his. I also don't like when my subjects question my authority."
"What would you have me do?" I ask, shifting uncomfortably on my feet. He doesn't know I'm a madame, and I'm not sure how kindly he would respond to my profession.
"You will live at court. However, I will expect you to travel and discreetly acquire information."
My mouth drops agape. "You wish for me to be a spy?"
A smile grazes the king's features. His eyes crinkle slightly. "As exciting as that may be for you, no. Before I was born, my mother had difficulty conceiving. In the midst of their fighting and arguments, my father, King Charles, strayed from my mother's bed. I don't believe he realized the grave misfortune that he'd done our family. The child's mother was a princess of a feuding family. My sister aides Her Majesty King Frederyk and his army to destroy my kingdom and take my throne."
My skin glistens and mouth goes dry. A sister to the king would mean that my mother was a princess. No. That was definitely not the case. How do you tell a king that he's wrong without insulting him? "How will I find your sister?" He must be mad to think such stories are true and worse to find the woman after all these years. It is entirely possible my mother was just one more woman the king had bedded. Perhaps what King Alexander says is true, and there's another girl, a traitor to the crown out there, waiting to kill the king.
"You will infiltrate the camp and murder the girl."
"But she's your sister?" I swallow the lump in my throat.
"Yes, which is why we must be secretive about our mission. She is a traitor to the crown. She grew up under a different rule. She must never enter our land."
"Why me?"
"No one will expect a commoner to be working with the king. I'm also confident that, should you be caught, you know very little to divulge of the crown. It is important that you mustn't tell anyone I've sent you. Can you be discreet?"
I can't breathe, my gown restrictive as the room spins.
"Mistress Helene?"
"Yes." I say the words, hoarse and raspy, past my lips. Any chance of me divulging to King Alexander that I'm his sister is gone. He'd never believe I hold no loyalties to King Frederyk or his men. What will become of me, should he discover the truth? Perhaps if I'm able to find the traitor sister, then I can prove my allegiance and reveal my secret. Even then, it might be stupid and far too dangerous. It's a risk I'm not sure is worth taking.
"You mentioned you had sisters. Do you have any other family who might miss you?"
"She's married," Vincent says, standing just on the other side of the room.
I hold my breath. He wasn't supposed to overhear the conversation, let alone speak up to the king.
"Is that true?" King Alexander asks.
Vincent steps into the hallway, and the sunlight streams in from the windows, showing his face. I feel both men's stares on me and I nod. "Yes." Why did Vincent have to interrupt? I have no desire to return home to the cottage with Rowland.
The king runs a hand through his hair, looking quite troubled. "Why aren't you at home with him?"
I shuffle anxiously on my feet. "My husband and I don't live together. I try my best not to see him. Your Majesty, he's a drunk, and any money he has, he spends on gambling or drinking."
The king lets out a heavy sigh, probably deciding what to do with me. "Then you will help me with my task, and when that is complete, you may stay at court, unless your husband comes to claim you."
"He won't, Your Majesty," I say and curtsey before him. "I assure you that my husband doesn't even remember he's married."
Vincent laughs under his breath. "No doubt she's telling the truth, Your Majesty. I've met Rowland, and it's any wonder he can put his breeches on in the morning."
"Understandable. Mistress Helene will need an escort while traveling through the towns on a secret mission I've given her. I expect you to accompany her the farthest you can. Keep her out of danger."
Vincent doesn't answer. I shift uncomfortably on my feet, hating the mere thought that these men will decide what happens to me. If it hadn't been for that stupid fire and my unfortunate run-in with Christopher, my life wouldn't have needed to change.
"Vincent, show Mistress Helene to her quarters. You both should have a decent night's sleep before you travel."
King Alexander heads back into the room, probably discussing battle plans. Vincent leads me up the back stairwell. I'm slow up the staircase, careful with the heels that are too big, not wanting to risk injury.
"You're hiding something." Vincent breathes into my ear from behind.
I glance over my shoulder back at him. "What are you talking about?" It's not possible he could know that I'm one of the king's sisters. I've never told a soul.
"When you get nervous, your cheeks burn red, along with the tips of your ears. The only thought I have is you already know who the king is looking for."
My eyes narrow as I spin around, staring at him at eye-level as I'm one stair above him. "You've lost your mind. You're delirious," I say. He has had very little sleep. Both of us rode through the night.
"That may be, but I've spent enough time handling interrogations that I know there's something you're not telling me." He shakes his head, appearing frustrated and points. "Keep walking, Mistress Helene."
"You're right. I am keeping a secret from you." I turn around and stalk up the stairs, my feet loud on the stone, hating that he's ordering me around. He's not my husband or my king.
Vincent's hand lands on my bottom, spanking me.
"Ow!" I wince and jump, hurrying ahead of him. "What the hell was that for?"
He lands another blow to my rear.
"You'll tell me at once what you're hiding," Vincent says.
"The hell I will!" I rush up the stairs as quickly as possible to get away from Vincent. He's lost his mind. My heart flutters with excitement. Another secret I can never divulge.
His feet clomp up the stairwell, and he grabs my hips, lifting me over his shoulder as he walks me into my chambers. He doesn't bother to shut the door. My eyes are wide in horror. What does he plan on doing to me? Another spanking? Something worse? The room is hot, and my mouth has grown dry. My heels that are too big fall off, clanking against the floorboards.
"Let me go this instant!" I squeal as he slaps my bottom; the dress gives me a bit of cushion.
"Ladies do not speak with such a vulgar tongue." He sits himself down at the edge of my mattress and brings me over his knee, lifting my dress.
"No. Please, Vincent," I plead with him. "I won't be able to ride tomorrow." My eyes glisten with tears. Today was horrible, riding back to Paris with a swollen bottom.
One swat, and already the sting is growing immensely; it hurts worse than yesterday's lashing.
"You will learn to obey me, Helene." Another swat against my delicate cheek, and his fingers linger, caressing the sensitive flesh before repeating the gesture, again, and again.
It's too much. My legs kick with each swat. Tears burn down my cheek. "Please, I'll be good." Right now, I would say or do anything to appease him. Does he know that?
"You haven't been yet. Lying to a royal guard and the king, it's a punishable offense and would be a far worse fate than a few spankings. I know you're taunting me too. Tell me your secret." His hand lands on my rear and my hips buck, trying to break free. He doesn't let me move, except for my hips jutting and twisting with each slap to my bare bottom.
What could I possibly tell him that he wouldn't already know? Something that would get me out of this mess and save my sore bottom from any further torture. "I wish my husband were dead!" The tears seep faster than I've intended. It is a truth, one that I've never found the courage to say aloud.
Vincent stops his hand from landing another blow. He lifts me to stand, his hands on my hips as my gown falls back around my ankles. "I see." His eyes bore into mine, unwavering.
I sniffle and wipe the remnants of tears away. "I'd like to be alone."
He doesn't move from the bed. Instead, he pats the mattress beside him. "Sit." It's an order.
My lips quiver. I have no desire to obey or to feel anything on my backside. "I'd rather stand."
His breath is hot as he inhales loudly through his nostrils. He opens his lips, letting the sigh expel past his mouth. "I don't like taking you over my knee, Helene."
I snort in disbelief. "Hard to believe, since you've spanked me twice in two days."
"I told you when we arrived that there are rules that must be followed."
The cold stone beneath my feet forces me to shiver. "Well, I don't like it."
Vincent's eyes crinkle with a slight smile. "Then I suggest you behave, and if by chance you know the lady we're after, then it would be in your best interest to tell me. I'd hate to think you held that information and something happened to our king because we didn't get it to him in time."
"Get out of my chambers, and perhaps I'll tell you tomorrow."
"Then you do know something," Vincent says, standing up as he approaches me.
I take a step back, trying to escape his grasp and, more importantly, avoid another spanking. Doesn't his hand hurt? Probably not nearly as bad as my sore bottom. He didn't get blisters from riding to Paris.
"Out!" I point toward the door. "A gentleman should not be inside a lady's quarters."
"Lucky for me, you're not a lady," Vincent says and grins. "You're married. I'm not worried about your reputation. Why are you?"
"Get out!" I stomp my foot, my eyes widen, and my hands are balled into fists.
Vincent takes a tentative step back, walking out into the hall. "I'll be back at dawn. I expect you to be ready to ride."
I grab the handle to the door, slamming it at once, not giving Vincent another moment of my time. He infuriates me to no end! Does he drive me mad on purpose or is that just how he is? Perhaps now I understand why Charlotte felt it necessary to leave the palace. I saunter toward the window, glancing outside. The walls around the castle protect us, but I wonder how hard it would be for me to leave. Would the king send Vincent or another guard searching for me? Why should he care about some girl who disappears from the palace?