THIRTY-THREE

 

Exhaustion seemed to slow the prince's steps as he escorted her to the high table. Zuleika said nothing as she matched his pace, keeping a happy smile on her face for all the onlookers she could hear but not see. The temptation to cast a quick spell so that she could see them all was almost irresistible, but removing the illusion that hid the prince's people would also reveal his true face, instead of the one he wore now.

Invisible servants helped her into her chair and pushed it closer to the table, as others did the same for Vardan. Tonight, they sat alone at the high table, but still close enough to touch. Close enough for conversation, Zuleika corrected herself, which would not be heard by the rest of the hall, who had begun talking amongst themselves again.

"Were there many injuries sustained in last night's battle?" she enquired as she selected some meat from the platter before her.

"None that I know of," Vardan replied. "My men are calling it a bloodless victory, for not even a drop of pirate blood was shed, or so they say. If they did not all tell the same tale, I would doubt it, but fifty huntsmen cannot be wrong. Pirates do not bleed green unless there is sorcery at work."

"If no blood was shed, how can anyone know it was green?" Zuleika asked.

Vardan shrugged. "One moment they saw pirates swarming the Trinity, and the next...they were gone, leaving nothing but some green scum on the deck where they had once stood. Only magic can do that, which means there must have been a witch on the Trinity. She was so close...and yet I let her get away. You are my only hope now, Lady Belle."

She longed to tell him the truth – that the only witch present last night was her, but he would never say her true name the way his voice caressed that silly nickname. He would spit curses, order his men to seize her and send her to his brother.

She would not let that happen.

Zuleika sipped from her goblet. The warm, spiced mead soothed her, reminding her of home, so she drank more.

"Will you give me hope, Lady Belle?"

Her breath caught in her throat at the prince's beseeching tone, barely a whisper away from outright begging. "There is hope, your Highness. All curses can be broken. The only question is...at what price?" she said.

He spread his hands wide. "What can I offer you that will make you love me? The deepest desire of your heart – if I can give it to you, it is yours."

"Love is not enough to break the spell," she said. "Even if I were to..." Those eyes! So much feeling, it was enough to rock her to her very soul. No woman could look into those eyes and be unmoved. Zuleika swallowed and managed to continue, "If I were to give you my heart, it would not be enough. It took magic to cast the spell, and only magic can break it."

"You have enchanted me, Lady Belle. I know no more powerful spell than the one you have cast over me since you arrived at Beacon Isle. You light up the whole island, though the evil enchantress cursed us with darkness." He seized her hand in his. "Please say you will stay."

He would not ask her that if he knew she was an enchantress, Zuleika was certain.

He released her. "I realise I have little to offer you until the curse is lifted, but if you could find it in your heart to help, and perhaps wait a little, I will send my men after the witch. Together, I am sure you can find a solution to this...affliction."

A floating serving platter, borne by an invisible manservant, cut their conversation short, to Zuleika's relief, as she concentrated on selecting something suitable from the selection before her. She had eaten almost nothing all day, and she was famished.

Fortunately, Vardan had a similar appetite, so they ate in silence for a little while, before someone brought more mead to fill her cup.

Instead of resuming their conversation, Vardan rose to give a toast. "To yet another pirate victory, and the health of our beautiful guest."

The hall erupted in cheering as everyone raised their cups and drank. The prince's pledge was the first of many, it seemed, as the other men in the hall took the opportunity to toast the health, good fortune and future of Zuleika and the prince, as well as that of their own people.

Just as Zuleika worried she'd run out of mead, someone blew a particularly loud blast on a horn. A group of musicians she'd neither seen nor heard until now drew her attention to the alcove at the side of the hall. In truth, she still could not see them, but their instruments were visible, and the sounds they made as they tuned their instruments were certainly audible.

At least, it was until people started pushing the tables to the sides of the hall, making enough noise to drown out even the most determined horn blower.

"Would you like to dance, Lady Belle?" Vardan asked, rising from his seat only to bow before her.

Rowdy cheers urged him on.

She opened her mouth to repeat last night's protests.

"Since the curse, we only dance caroles in a chain. You needn't worry about the steps. Simply hold onto those before and behind you, and follow where they lead." He held out his hand. "I will not lead you astray, Lady Belle. You have my word."

This time, she believed him. He was no pirate, or her spell would have turned him into green scum the previous night. Vardan and his people did not deserve the terrible curse Thorn and his pet witch had visited on them.

She took a deep breath. "And I will do everything within my power to free you from this curse. I give you my word, your Highness."

He grinned. "Then let's dance!" He seized her hand, pulling her from the dais and into the crowd below.