Puss in Boots (Timeless Fairy Tales Book 6) (11 page)

“I don’t care! Get out!”

“Out of where?”

“Just
out
!” Gabrielle roared in a reasonable bear impersonation.

Steffen ducked behind a tree. “You’re going to slap me again, aren’t you?” he asked. He peered around his tree and almost took a rock to the head for his troubles.

“I should. You deserve it,” Gabrielle growled.

“I’m coming out,” Steffen decided.

“No!” Gabrielle shouted. “Stay there.”

“Why?” Steffen asked, starting to edge out from behind his tree again. This time Gabrielle kicked up so the water sprayed across his chest. “Fine,” Steffen sighed.

“I should take a branch to your head!” Gabrielle seethed as Steffen heard her shuffle around behind him.

“Why? You were the one stupid enough to bathe in the open.”

“Perhaps, but you should have announced your presence and averted your gaze.”

“Why?” Steffen repeated.

“You’re the prince! You tell
me
why.”

“Last time we met, you didn’t demand good manners of me,” Steffen said, a grin sliding across his lips.

“Last time, I was unaware that you were a prince,” Gabrielle said, her voice frosty and growing closer.

Steffen turned around just in time to watch Gabrielle buckle her sword belt to her waist. Instead of a dress, she wore boots and pants matched with a daintily fashioned jerkin that—Steffen was sorry to see—draped over her waist and thighs. She wore her white, cotton shirt beneath the jerkin with the sleeves rolled up to her elbow.

“I thought my conduct would have made my high birth obvious,” Steffen said.

Gabrielle stared long and hard at Steffen without replying.

“What?” Steffen asked.

“Nothing,” Gabrielle said before she turned in the direction of the road and started walking. “I’m merely picturing the terrible repercussions that would fall upon me, should I happen to drown you.”

“
Happen
to?” Steffen asked, falling in line with her.

“Accidents occur,” Gabrielle said, sounding hopeful.

Steffen chuckled. “I think I understand why I find your company so diverting. It is because you sound like me.”

“That is
not
a compliment,” Gabrielle said.

“Perhaps, but it is true. Both of us are sharp-tongued.”

“Speak for yourself,” Gabrielle said. “I am perfectly civil to any number of people. It is only you and Puss who bring out the viper in me.”

Steffen grinned as they pushed past the last layer of trees and shrubbery. “While I’m honored, I can’t say I’m completely pleased with the company in which you place me.”

Gabrielle did nothing to respond and stared at the royal carriage like it was a rabid bear. The carriage door was still open, allowing Steffen and Gabrielle to peer inside and watch Gabrielle’s talking cat—seated on Steffen’s bench—converse with King Henrik.

“That’s right; you haven’t yet met my father,” Steffen said, rubbing his chin. “You ran away in Wied before any introductions could be made.”

“Please don’t,” Gabrielle said, her voice barely above a hiss.

“Why not?” Steffen asked, genuinely surprised.

“Although my cat keeps gabbing that I’m a marquise, I’m not. I’m just a common village girl.”

Steffen arched one of his eyebrows. “So? Father meets common village girls all the time. You may not be aware, but many of his subjects are common village girls.”

Gabrielle took a step backwards, edging towards the forest and avoiding eye contact.

Alarmed, Steffen switched tactics. “Gabrielle,” he said, catching the girl by her elbow. “It will be fine. He’ll be pleased to meet you.”

“Can’t I just…silently watch him?” Gabrielle asked.

Her obvious nerves made Steffen smile fondly. “No. I want you to meet him. I’ll even make the introductions.”

“So this is Lady Gabrielle, the long lost marquise?”

Steffen and Gabrielle both looked to King Henrik, who was peering down at the two of them.

“Yes, Father.” Steffen tugged Gabrielle forward so she stood next to him. “She is the bandit-catcher of Wied.”

“Steffen and I have heard much about you, Lady Gabrielle. Many of the villages we’ve visited have clamored with your praises.”

“You honor me, Your Majesty.” Gabrielle deftly curtsied. Her words were lovely and well-enounced, but Steffen could feel the muscles in her arm stiffen under his hand.

“Your honorable cat tells me you are returning to Kinzig. Please, ride with us,” King Henrik said, gesturing to the inside of the carriage.

“I could never take such liberties, Your Majesty,” Gabrielle said.

“I insist,” King Henrik said. “Steffen, help her in.”

“Yes, Father,” Steffen said, adjusting his grip so he held Gabrielle’s hand instead of her elbow. It took a little prodding, but the beautiful girl reluctantly climbed the carriage stairs and sat next to her cat.

Steffen hopped inside, yanked up the stairs, and shut the carriage. He plopped down, almost squishing the talking cat—who then seated himself on Gabrielle’s lap and gave Steffen a dirty look. Steffen frowned back at the smug animal as Gabrielle rubbed under its chin.

“Where are you from, Lady Gabrielle?” King Henrik asked as the carriage jerked into motion.

“Just Gabrielle, please, Your Majesty, or Gabi. I’m merely the daughter of the miller of the small village Ilz.”

King Henrik shook his head. “My dear, with all you have done, I would never presume to call you ‘merely’ anyone. By all accounts, it seems you are quite the hero.”

“No, Your Majesty. I’m only an adventurer. I leave the title of hero to the likes of Prince Rune,” Gabrielle said, caressing her cat’s cheek.

“You are an adventurer who is doing the common people quite a bit of good,” King Henrik said.

When Gabrielle replied, her words were slow and carefully uttered. “Perhaps, Your Majesty. But it is Puss who does most of the work. I do only what any other person would do when faced with the trials and sufferings of others,” she said, looking down at her cat.

“Your humility is quite becoming,” King Henrik said. “Most folk would brag of their exploits.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Gabrielle said, bowing her head. The carriage was silent, until Steffen saw the talking cat prick Gabrielle with his claws. “I assume you are going to Kinzig as part of your inspection?”

“Yes,” King Henrik said. “How did you hear about it?”

“Some of the villages had already received word regarding the next leg of your tour. Will none of your other children join you?” Gabrielle asked.

“I have hopes that my foster-daughter, Fürstin Elise, will soon join us. One of her foster-brothers will escort her,” King Henrik said.

“I have heard much about Princess Elise. She sounds intelligent and clever given her young age,” Gabrielle said.

“She is quite mature, and she is a financial genius. Wouldn’t you say so, Steffen?” King Henrik asked.

“Elise is a darling,” Steffen said, his smile creeping back on his lips. Since Elise had joined the family years ago, Steffen suspected she would marry one of his younger brothers when his parents didn’t adopt her. Steffen was glad for it. He would happily trade his little sister for any of his blockhead brothers. The girl was more responsible, even-tempered, and well accomplished than all of his brothers combined. She was the ideal princess and an adorable little sister.

“Steffen and Elise get along quite well, although I think her undisputed favorite is Rune,” King Henrik said.

Steffen frowned at his father and arched one eyebrow. “That is because he is a manipulative cheat who swindles his way into her good graces.”

For the rest of the carriage ride, Henrik chattered about Elise and the rest of his children—particularly the twins, Nick and Mikk, who would soon be taking over the Defense Department and rule over the army and Arcainia’s intelligence network.

To Steffen’s surprise, Gabrielle responded with intelligent questions and well-informed opinions. Steffen wondered about it, and when they disembarked from the carriage, he couldn’t help but say, “For a girl who professes to be nothing but a commoner, you have the gilded tongue of a courtier.” He offered Gabrielle his hand. She ignored it and jumped to the ground.

“Of course. I’ve spent over a month under my cat’s tutelage, and he’s so charming, butter melts on his tongue.” Gabrielle rearranged her sword on her belt with a surprising amount of fussiness.

“I suppose so,” Steffen said. He glanced back in the carriage where the cat and king still conversed. Steffen was only half paying attention when Gabrielle planted her arms at her sides and turned to address Timo and the soldiers surrounding the carriage.

“It has been a while, but I must thank you for your help in Wied. If your men had not arrived when they did, things might have ended differently.” Gabrielle’s words were soft and sweet like a puffed pastry.

Charmed—as any man would be—Timo smiled and scratched the scar on his cheek. “I am glad they could be of aid, but I must apologize for their last-minute arrival.”

Yes, the cat has definitely been working with her
, Steffen thought as he observed the scene.

“Not at all,” Gabrielle said. “I imagine you were busy securing the king. If I may, could I be so forward as to introduce myself?”

“Of course.”

“I am Gabrielle of Ilz. My presumptuous cat is called Puss.”

Timo dismounted. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I am Timo—commander of the King’s honor guard.”

Gabrielle smiled serenely. “Thank you for your aid, Commander,” she said.

“It was our pleasure, my lady,” Timo said. He bowed before checking with King Henrik as he climbed from the carriage.

“Dominik, Alwin, Moritz,” Steffen said, calling in several of the guards. “Lady Gabrielle, please allow me to introduce my personal guards: Moritz, Alwin, and Dominik,” Steffen said, indicating to each soldier when he spoke their name. As usual, Alwin was the only soldier with his helm on; although for this occasion, he removed it long enough to bow to Gabrielle. “Gentlemen, this is the legendary Lady Gabrielle of whom we have heard so many stories and much gossip.”

“He’s lying. I’m just plain Gabrielle,” Gabrielle said, smiling at the soldiers.

“I-I don’t think
anyone
could call you plain, my lady,” Dominik said, gazing at Gabrielle with calf eyes.

Gabrielle’s expression was serene and patient. “Thank you, Dominik.” Her thanks elicited a blush from the young soldier as Moritz looked back and forth between Steffen and Gabrielle, calculating.

“If you will excuse us, my lady, Kronprinz,” Alwin said, his voice stiff with formality.

“Of course,” Steffen said, dismissing the soldiers—who scattered like dandelion fluff. Moritz and Dominik moved to help care for the horses, and Alwin walked after Timo.

“Gabrielle, we should speak to someone from the village council to inform them you took care of the gingerbread man,” the cat said from their feet, startling Steffen.

“You’re right,” Gabrielle agreed, bending over so the large cat could leap onto her shoulders. When she straightened up, the cat pressed his cheek to Gabrielle’s, eyeing Steffen. She didn’t seem to notice. “You’ll be staying in Kinzig for the night, Your Highness?”

“Yes,” Steffen said. “Will you avoid me tonight and depart before dawn again?”

Gabrielle scrunched her nose at him. “Not this time. We still have some business left here. I will see you for supper, then. The only inn in Kinzig is the Galloping Gelding. I assume you’ll stay there?”

“Most likely,” Steffen agreed.

“It’s a lovely establishment. Okan’s food is the finest I’ve ever tasted,” Gabrielle said.

“Mistress,” the cat said, his bronze eyes set on Steffen.

“Right. Until then, Your Highness.” Gabrielle walked off, her pace quick but smooth.

Steffen watched her go, and he shivered.

“What’s wrong, Kronprinz?” Dominik appeared at Steffen’s elbow, holding the reins of his gelding.

“Nothing. I just find that cat…unsettling,” Steffen said, taking his horse’s reins.

“I don’t blame you. Mage bred, he is,” Dominik nodded.

“I’m sure,” Steffen muttered. He glanced at Moritz, who was unabashedly staring at him. With the way the soldier could slink around on cat feet and was as close-mouthed as a clam, Steffen was beginning to suspect he was one of Mikk’s sneaks or spies. Steffen suppressed another shiver and turned to the water trough. “Thank you, Dominik.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”