Puss in Boots (Timeless Fairy Tales Book 6) (24 page)

Gabrielle shook her head.

“No, you must listen to me, ogre-defeater,” Angelique said. “Seeing Roland with you, hearing him talk about your adventures? He is happier with you than he ever was with me. And he has chosen you.”

Gabrielle blinked rapidly to keep her tears from falling, but one or two fell anyway. She bent over and picked Puss up, cuddling him close.

“Ugh, you really do reek,” Puss said as she hugged him. Gabrielle choked on laughter and tears. “Angelique is my friend, Gabrielle. But I will follow you until the day one of us takes our last breath,” Puss said.

“Thank you, Puss,” Gabrielle said, the tension in her body easing. “And thank you for saving him, Lady Enchantress. I was so worried.”

“It was my pleasure.” Angelique stepped back and frowned at the hallway. “I mean to leave soon to renew my search, but first I will help both of you settle into Carabas. Our tour has made it apparent that it is quite neglected.”

“It is, but I think Gabrielle will have the funds to renovate it,” Puss said. “Phew, after she bathes, that is.”

“What? How?” Gabrielle asked.

“By crawling in a tub filled with hot, soapy water,” Puss said.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“The funds? The answer is easy—the ogre has been hoarding wealth and treasure since he first thundered his way into Carabas. He must have quite the treasury by now,” Puss said.

“How do you know that?” Angelique asked.

“I read it in one of Evariste’s correspondences,” Puss said, his black tail twitching.

“You read his
mail
?” Angelique said, planting a hand on her chest in horror.

“Yes.”

“You sneaky—”

“I already said I’m not going to be the new marquise,” Gabrielle said.

“Of course you are. You’re the lost heir of Carabas—or at least King Henrik promised to let us pretend you are,” Puss said, his voice smug and pleased.

Gabrielle stared at her cat. “When did he agree to that?” Gabrielle asked, her voice tight.

“That time Prince Steffen accidentally peeped at you,” Puss said. “I had an excellent conversation with King Henrik in his carriage.”

Gabrielle groaned. “I can’t keep up with you.”

“I believe I will start with some repairing spells—though it will take me twice as long to cast as it would a full enchantress,” Angelique said, tapping her lip as she stared down the hallway, her eyes fixed on a smashed pillar.

“I will begin designing Gabrielle’s letterhead. Your crest will, of course, include a cat,” Puss said.

“I give up,” Gabrielle muttered.

“It’s always the wisest course to bow to my superior intelligence,” Puss said. “By which I mean to say, you could begin by taking a bath.”

“Oh, go roll in some
Essence de Fox
,” Gabrielle said, muttered, stomping off.

“
What
?” Angelique asked.

“Essence de Fox,” Gabrielle repeated.

“Do you know what’s
in
that?” Angelique asked.

“She doesn’t want to know,” Puss was quick to say. “Come, Mistress. While Angelique gets started with her magic, we should continue searching for your new subjects.”

“But what—”

“Hush. We’ve already wasted hours, and the residents of Carabas deserve to learn that they’ve been set free!”

Chapter 13

Marquise of Carabas

Steffen popped his gold circlet off his head, relieving some of the pain of his headache.

“Don’t do that; we’re no longer a matched set,” Nick said, plopping down in the seat next to him. “How can we be the tiara brothers if we aren’t glittering like fairies
together
?”

“If you want to match someone, go find your twin.” Steffen tossed his circlet on the table, exhausted from the endless discussions the family summit had created. They had started early in the morning when Erick finally arrived, and they hadn’t yet reached a conclusion about the ogre—or Carabas.

Steffen leaned back in his chair and eyed his family. All seven of his siblings milled about, socializing with one another. Erick was discussing his hopes for expanding the college with Elise—as he had unsuccessfully for the last two seasons. Rune was laughing with King Henrik, and Falk was brooding in the corner—alone and antisocial as usual. Gerhart, the youngest, was pouting—the special family meeting had ended his holiday in the south. Spoiled brat.

Steffen was disappointed. He had hoped other members of his family would show signs of wear after their grueling morning discussion. (Although now that he pondered it, perhaps it was grueling solely for him. He, Rune, and Elise were the only royal children in favor of trying to kill the ogre, and it was Steffen who spent most of the meeting trying to convince his opposing siblings it was necessary to reclaim Carabas.) Instead, it seemed most of them were disgustingly
peppy
and bright-eyed, happy to be gathered together for the first time since their mother’s funeral.

Steffen rolled his neck and tried to relax. He would begin his campaign against Carabas again when they rejoined in the afternoon. “We
have
to kill that ogre,” he grumbled.

“Why?” Mikk—Nick’s twin (though opposite in temperament) asked.

Steffen held in a jump at his sudden appearance, wishing his brother hadn’t heard that utterance. “I just spent an hour giving you reasons. If
you
can’t remember any of them, I’m going to adjourn this meeting for the rest of the day,” he said.

“No, why are you taking this matter so personally?” Mikk asked.

“It’s not personal. As the country’s future monarch, I’m merely concerned.”

“No,” Nick said. “Mikk is right. You don’t get concerned. You’re the stiff who can lie with a smile and treat the world like a master chessman. Aside from your dazzling smiles and perfect manners, you’re even more impersonal than Mikk. You could mingle with anyone.”

“Except the ambassador from Sole,” Mikk added.

“You promised you wouldn’t mention that again,” Steffen reminded Mikk. Then he noticed their youngest brother creeping for the door. “Gerhart—no.” He glared, sipping his wine.

“This is about Gabrielle, isn’t it?” Nick asked.

Steffen choked on his wine. “How did you hear about her?” he asked when he could speak again.

“Rune mentioned her,” Nick said.

“I see,” Steffen said, tapping his fingers on the table.

“Next time,” Mikk told his twin, “don’t reveal your source.”

“Why?”

“If you don’t keep your mouth shut, Steffen will murder all your informants, like our soon-to-be-departed brother,” Mikk said.

“You have a point,” Nick said. “And I like Rune…a bit anyway. Hm. Steffen, I lied. Little Gerhie told me,” Nick said, pointing to their youngest, sulking brother.

Mikk ignored his twin and returned his quiet but intense attention to Steffen. “She left for Carabas again.”

“WHAT?” Steffen rocketed out of his chair. “Did she survive? Where is she now? That little
idiot
!”

“Don’t you care about
his
source?” Nick complained.

“My source left the area after she made her exit, but I’ve received messages from other agents assuring me Lady Gabrielle is doing quite well,” Mikk said.

“But what is the definition of ‘quite well’?” Steffen asked. He was surprised when Dominik scurried through the door, making a beeline for Mikk. The young guard whispered in the prince’s ear.

“
Dominik
was your man?” Steffen said, shocked. “I thought it was Moritz.”

“He does make a good red herring,” Mikk said. “You had better tell everyone, Dominik.”

Dominik bowed and spoke to the group. “Your Majesty?”

“Yes?” King Henrik asked.

“There is a lady here to see you. She has important news for you.”

“Send her in, then,” King Henrik said.

“As you wish, Your Majesty. The Marquise of Carabas,” Dominik announced, returning to the door to open it and allow a lady to enter.

“
What
?” Steffen shouted when the “lady” stepped into the room.

Gabrielle’s honey-crème-colored hair was pulled back in an artful braid and nestled in a gold netting studded with pearls. Her dress was a beautiful green creation that shimmered whenever she moved, and at her throat was an enormous emerald set in gold. Because it was Gabrielle, she wore arm guards that started at her wrists and ended before her elbows. Both of these leather bracers had golden script on them that glimmered and spiraled around the armor in an endless spell. She still wore a sword belt—although the weapon was absent—and she was as lovely as a summer day.

But once his eyes locked on to her face…he almost forgot how to breathe.

“Lady Gabrielle, allow me to welcome you to Castle Brandis. These are my children—you already know Rune, but I believe you did not meet Elise whilst in Jagst. The two by Steffen are Nick and Mikk. Falk is back in the corner. This is Erick, and your young admirer is Gerhart,” King Henrik said.

Erick bowed. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

Gerhart stared at the beautiful Gabrielle, his eyes full of admiration and his mouth open like a landed fish.

“Children, this is the charming Lady Gabrielle, our most recent marquise,” King Henrik said.

“A marquise?” Steffen said.

“It is my pleasure to meet you,” Gabrielle said, her dress sighing when she curtsied. “I am Gabrielle of Carabas.”

“Of
Carabas
?” Steffen yelped.

“Yes, that is the reason for my sudden intrusion. I wanted to tell you that I have taken care of the ogre,” Gabrielle said.

“Taken care of the
ogre
?” Steffen repeated.

“Is there something wrong with your hearing?” Nick asked.

Steffen shook his head in disbelief, trying to convince himself he was hearing something else. “You went back.”

“Naturally,” Gabrielle said.

“No, not
naturally
. It almost killed you the first time, and you risked it a second time?”

“But I won the second time,” Gabrielle said. “The ogre is dead, and the lands of Carabas are free.”

“That is not the point,” Steffen said.

“Yes, it is. That’s the main point,” Rune said, bowing to Gabrielle. “Lady, you have my great admiration for your feat. How did you do it?”

“No, brother. It won’t do to admire such foolish risk-taking.” Steffen stepped between Rune and Gabrielle.
And you can keep
your flirtatious claws to yourself, as well!

Gabrielle leaned around Steffen to say, “It was a battle of wits.”

Rune’s eyes lit up. “Ah! What a brilliant thought. I don’t believe anyone has ever engaged him in conversation. How did you outwit him?”

Sensing his position of superiority as the eldest prince was being undermined, Steffen changed tactics. He placed a hand on Gabrielle’s back and diverted her path, leading her farther into the room. “You may as well share your story with everyone. Nick and Mikk will want to hear it several dozen times,” Steffen said, using his best smile.

“Yes. Although first, I officially cancel our meeting—indeed, there is no more need to argue over Carabas now!” King Henrik said. “And after we hear the marquise’s tale, we must hold a banquet to celebrate her victory this evening. Would you find that agreeable, Lady Gabrielle?”

Lady Gabrielle shook her head. “It’s too much fuss.” She offered Gerhart a smile when the young teenager met her gaze.

Gerhart blushed and looked away.

“Nonsense. That ogre held Carabas captive for decades. You deserve every bit of recognition we can muster. We should throw a ball,” Nick said.

Gabrielle laughed, making Gerhart sigh like a lovesick puppy. “If you will excuse my impudence, I must decline a ball. A banquet this evening would be enjoyable, but I am afraid I cannot be away from Carabas for long. I will need to leave shortly.”

“Why?” Mikk asked.

“Though the ogre is gone, the land is still plagued by evil. A Lady Enchantress helped me for several days, so the castle and town are secure—but the farmland, forest, and several abandoned villages are in great need of purging,” Gabrielle said.

“You’re so sensible,” Nick said, nodding in approval. “A lady—and a queen—should be sensible.”

“Thank you?” Gabrielle’s fair brow wrinkled.

“Back to the ogre,” Rune said.

“Indeed, how did you defeat a creature of magic with your wits?” Erick asked, adjusting his golden spectacles.

“There is farmland to be purged?” Falk asked, emerging from his corner.

“Do you think you will need military assistance?” Nick asked.

“I will find out by the end of the day,” Mikk said.

“You are as brilliant as gold, Lady Gabrielle,” Gerhart said.

“Is there a particular kind of food you favor?” Elise asked. “Our cook will wish to know for the banquet, and it would be a kindness to inform the kitchens as swiftly as possible.”

Steffen wrestled with the desire to push back all of his grasping, nosey siblings. They were grabbing at Gabrielle like puppies anxious for attention, and he did
not
like how close Gerhart stood to her. To his surprise, the lady took the sudden interest quite graciously.

She laughed and smoothed her dress as she stepped away from Steffen to seat herself in a chair. “Before we speak of Carabas, it would be better if I explained how I defeated the ogre.”

“Excellent! I love a good story,” Nick said, plopping down in a chair to her right.

“How did you approach the castle? Did you go in stealth?” Rune asked. He pulled out a chair for Elise, then claimed the chair on Gabrielle’s left.

Elise arranged her skirts. “I imagine the Carabas citizens were so happy to be freed. Could you describe their reaction?”

“And the farmland,” Falk added.

“She fits in well,” King Henrik said when he and Steffen were the only two still standing.

“Yes,” Steffen agreed. Seeing his family crowded around a table, happy and animated, with Gabrielle in their ranks was…strange. It wasn’t unpleasant, but Steffen wished he hadn’t seen the sight. It was a dream that he would not allow to take place.

Between his inexplicable conduct (chasing down the goblins on Gabrielle’s trail) and wanting to smack Gerhart upside the head for the way he drooled over her, Steffen knew he was in grave danger of losing his temper (and heart) over Gabrielle.
It is unacceptable to be so ruled by emotion.

Late in the evening—while the banquet was still going strong—Gabrielle retreated to a terrace that overlooked the palace herb garden. She breathed in the pungent scent of thyme and sagged against the stone railing.

“Tired already?” Puss asked, jumping onto the thick railing.

“I ate too much,” Gabrielle admitted. “But I can’t find it in myself to be sorry. The food was delicious.”

“I forget sometimes that you are a commoner. Your speech has much improved this summer, and you took to our adventures so quickly.”

“I wouldn’t be so quick to praise my speech,” Gabrielle yawned. “Prince Nickolas talked me into hosting a ball at Carabas next year—after we’ve had a chance to build and renovate.”

“A ball? Why did you agree?”

“It seemed reasonable. He said it would let everyone see how different Carabas is. Besides, you weren’t around to tell me to say no. Speaking of which, it isn’t like you to stay away from royalty. What have you spent the day doing?”