The Rules of Ever After (6 page)

Phillip jumped up from his throne with an excited smile. “The test!”

“Yes. The test. Since you are basically out of options, I thought it was time to bring her out of hiding. She will pass the test for sure, and you can marry her and claim your father’s throne. I know you think I do not care for you, Phillip, but I really do want to see you married and on your wedding day hunt with your father. ”

“See, Phillip,” King Henry said, “you need not worry about a false bride. The test will prove her true or not, and all will be well.”

“Yes,” Phillip said with a smirk, “and when—I mean,
if
she fails the test, then I don’t marry her.”

“Exactly.” King Henry sighed. “Now can we please stop making a scene in front of this lovely girl and get some food. Katerina, I’m sure you must be starved after your travel here.”

“More than anything, your highness,” Katerina said with a small curtsy, “I could use a little nap. The trip here was so exciting, it seems to have tired me out.”

“You’re easily tired?” Phillip asked as he jumped down from the dais and walked over to the girl. “Well, lucky for you we have the most comfortable beds in all the kingdoms! Why don’t I take you on a little tour of the castle grounds?” The prince offered his bent elbow to Katerina and cocked his head in her direction.

Katerina rested her hand on the prince’s outstretched arm and let him turn her toward the doors. Glancing back over her shoulder at Cauchemar, she shrugged.

“Katerina, right?” Phillip asked.

She nodded in assent and they began walking out into the hall­way. “You can call me Kitty if you’d prefer.”

“Kitty? Huh. That’s cute.”

The girl blushed and dropped her chin again. “A friend gave that nickname to me. A friend I’d like to talk to you about.”

“Well, Kitty, you’ll have to forgive my anger and the terrible things I said earlier. I just fear for my kingdom’s safety if I marry a false bride.”

“I have a few fears to discuss with you, too,” Katerina said quietly.

“Katerina,” her aunt interrupted and grabbed the girl’s shoulder. “No need to bend the prince’s ears with silly girlish fears. Henry, are you coming as well? I think you should get to know your future daughter-in-law.”

“Coming, dear.” The king stood to follow them. “You are cer­tainly confident of this girl’s chances.”

“Yes. I am. And so no one will question her virtue, I think you two need a chaperone.”

“I’ve never needed an escort with the other girls.” Phillip stopped and looked at Cauchemar.

“Well, those weren’t true princesses, now, were they? But Kat­erina is the real deal.”

“If she passes the test.”

“She’ll pass.”

”We’ll see,” Phillip mumbled. Looking at the pretty girl on his arm, he said, “So, Kitty, would you like to walk along the walls and see the ocean? A good brisk walk in the salty air will help make sure you are good and tired before bed.” He reached over and slid the ruffles of her dress off her upper arms onto her shoulders. “These frilly things look better up here, and besides, you might get chilly.”

“Nice and quiet,” Phillip whispered to himself as he inched along the wall toward the testing chamber door. Looking up and down each side of the hallway, he checked to make sure he was alone before grabbing the iron handle on the chamber door. “Just slip in, put the tonic in the water carafe and slip right back out. Kitty sleeps, you escape again, and no one is any the wiser.”

Phillip felt uneasy as he gently pushed the door open just enough to slip through. He did not like having to alter his usual manner of dealing with his intended brides, and he knew putting something into someone’s water was very wrong. However, Cauchemar had refused to leave Katerina’s side, and he was at a loss for what to do. Phillip assumed she would escort her so-called niece into the chamber and even sit with her all night, so he would not be able to offer the tonic while saying goodnight. “Stupid woman. I wouldn’t put it past you to have given the girl a potion to make sure she stays awake.”

As he slipped into the room, Phillip was surprised to find it not completely dark. A small lamp burned on the tall table beside the head of the bed; the light from the flame danced off the cut-crystal edges of a water carafe and scattered flickers of light around the chamber.
Of course
.
Pierre must have lit the lamp when he brought in the water. Not that I need any light. I know this path all too well now. Well, on with the business at hand.

Phillip crossed the room on his tiptoes.
Why am I sneaking? The future love of my life is not in the bed. Still, no need to alert anyone that I am in here or the jig is up
. By the time he reached the footboard, his eyes had adjusted to the dim light of the lamp. He grasped a rung and began his climb to the top of the stack of mattresses. As he neared the top rung, a snuffling sound from the darkened corner near the doorway made his ears prick up. Freezing on the spot, he squinted to see if someone was coming.

Relax—probably just a rat
. Phillip pulled himself up the final rungs. As his head came level with the mattresses, he could see that the water carafe was empty.
Great, I will have to get the carafe, fill it and sneak back in here. I don’t have time for all that
. With a sigh of frustration, he lifted his leg over onto the mattresses. As he put down his hand to begin his crawl to the table, it landed on something under the dark blue coverlet. Jerking his hand back, he gasped.

Phillip slid his eyes up the lump under the bedding: it was clearly the outline of a body. Fully expecting to find some lazy sta­ble boy or serving girl had crept into the barely-used room for a clandestine nap, Philip smiled to himself as he inched forward. While he would never cause trouble for the sleeper by reporting the nap, he could certainly have a little fun scaring the poor person to death.

As he reached the pillows, Phillip gasped again as he came face to face with a stranger. Phillip leaned closer to the man’s face to see his features better in the dim light of the flickering lamp. The man’s black wavy hair surrounded sharp cheekbones and a strong jaw lightly dusted with dark stubble. The tan of his skin showed someone who had spent many days in the Clarameer sun and possibly had Gloriannan heritage. Beneath his dark eyebrows, the man’s eyes were closed in what appeared to be a deep sleep, and dark lashes lay on his cheek.
By Godrick’s sword
,
he’s beautiful.

A twitch at the corner of the man’s mouth drew Philip’s gaze to the deep pink fullness of his lips. Phillip held his breath as he stared at the man’s mouth and listened to the steady rise and fall of the other man’s breathing. With his eyes tracing the outline of the man’s slightly parted lips, Philip was taken with an overwhelming desire to place his lips there. Shaking his head to clear the thought, Phillip said aloud, “What are you doing?”

The other man’s eyes flew open and he stared at Phillip with eyes as green as the Southern Sea. The man’s eyes darted about Phillip’s face until he eased into a smile. “I was trying to sleep.”

“Oh!” Phillip gasped and jerked back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… I didn’t realize that… I’ll just go out and let you—Wait a minute! This is my kingdom and my bed! By Gingerfair’s girdle, who are you, and what are you doing in my bed?”

“As I said, I was trying to sleep.” The other man pulled his arms up his side, leaned on his elbows and pushed his upper body slightly erect. “But it’s hard to sleep with someone staring at you. And I didn’t realize this was your bed. Trust me, I was raised to always ask a man’s permission before I crawl into his bed. Had I known
you
might be in it, I would certainly have asked if I could climb in.” The man winked.

Phillip felt the blood rush to his face and turned away from the light. Though he wasn’t sure exactly what the man meant, it made his heart race. He sat back and asked, “Who
are
you?”

“I’m just a wandering soul who was hoping to finally get a good night’s sleep.” The man stretched his arms above his head and then dropped them back to his sides. “I saw this big, comfortable bed and couldn’t help myself. I thought at last I would get the rest I so desire.”

“This bed is not about your desires.”

The man threw his head back and laughed loudly. “Oh, you’re a quick one! I knew from your picture that you were a handsome man, but no one told me you were funny too.”

Phillip stared at the man, unsure if he what he had just heard was a compliment. “What? I wasn’t trying to be funny.” Phillip tilted his head in thought until he realized how the man had interpreted his words. “Oh, no! I didn’t mean
that
. I meant that this bed has a special purpose. It’s not here for any random stranger to just wander in and climb into and—Did you say you’ve seen my picture?”

“Of course. You’re Prince Phillip of Bellemer. I saw a sketch of you in the
Kingdom Inquisitor
. Though it really didn’t do you justice.”

“I was in the
Inquisitor
?” Phillip said, as his eyes widened. “My stepmother doesn’t allow that newspaper in the castle. She says it’s full of nonsense.”

“She’s right,” the man said with a chuckle. Phillip watched the corners of the man’s eyes wrinkle as he laughed, making his rugged face seem friendlier. “But it has helped me keep up with some of the news of the kingdoms while I have been on my wanderings.”

“You’ve been out in the kingdoms?” Phillip asked. He shifted up onto his knees and leaned forward. “What’s it like out there?”

“Surely you’ve been out in the kingdoms,” the man said with a look of surprise. “You’re a royal. You can go anywhere!”

Phillip dropped his head and frowned as he traced the maze of stitching on the bed’s coverlet. “No,” he mumbled. “My stepmother won’t let me. She says it isn’t safe out there for a future king.”

“She won’t let you read the
Inquisitor
. She won’t let you out in the kingdoms.” The man placed his hand under Phillip’s chin and lifted his head to look into his eyes. Phillip’s stomach fluttered at the warmth of the man’s touch. “Who is this woman that she can have this much control over you? Your mother, you said?”

“She’s not my mother. She’s my father’s wife.” Phillip shrugged and pulled away from the man’s hand. “She’s awfully bossy. As a matter of fact, she’s why this stupid bed is here.”

“Yes,” the man said, “you said this bed has a special purpose. I can only think of a couple of purposes for a bed and none require it to be this tall.” The man cocked his eyebrow upward.

“You mean you haven’t heard about it? I figured everyone knew.” Phillip sighed and flopped back onto the bed. He lay still until an uncomfortable lump in the mattress under his back made him shift. “My stepmother is determined to find me a bride. This bed has something to do with that, but I really can’t talk about it. It’s a secret. Especially since I don’t even know your name.”

“You can call me Daniel,” the man said, as he pushed the cover­let off his body and began climbing past Phillip toward the end of the bed. “If this bed has such a special purpose, I guess I’d better get out of it.”

As Daniel crawled past him, Phillip felt a sudden urge to keep him there a little longer. “Wait,” Phillip pleaded. He reached out and grabbed Daniel’s wrist. With a gentle tug, Phillip pulled him back onto the bed beside him. “Don’t get down yet. Tell me about the kingdoms, please.”

Daniel looked down at Phillip’s hand on his wrist and back up at Phillip’s face. Phillip quickly pulled his hand away. Daniel took Phillip’s hand and set it back on his wrist. “You can keep me from falling out of the bed. There is a big lump right there,” Daniel said as he pushed down on the mattress. “This bed is weird.” After pulling on the bottom of his doublet to adjust it over his leggings, Daniel snuggled down into the mattress. He turned onto his side to face Phillip.

“Ignore the bed,” Phillip said as he lay down beside Daniel, rested his head on his arm and stared into Daniel’s eyes. “Tell me about the kingdoms.”

“Okay. What do you want to know?”

“Everything!” Phillip said, his voice cracking with excitement.

“Well, Clarameer is much bigger than you would think. I haven’t covered much of it yet. But what I have seen is absolutely beautiful.”

As beautiful as you?
Phillip watched Daniel’s face light up with the joy of telling of his travels. He could easily imagine Daniel rid­ing across the kingdoms on a white steed with his wavy hair blow­ing in the wind. As Daniel continued his tale, Phillip could barely follow his words, as he was yet again transfixed by the movement of Daniel’s lips and the soothing timbre of his voice. Phillip closed his eyes and let himself be lost in Daniel’s words.

“Phillip, are you listening?”

Phillip opened his eyes to find Daniel sitting up in the bed and looking at him expectantly.

“Why don’t you do it?” Daniel asked.

Phillip’s mind raced as he sat up and tried to figure out what Daniel was asking him. “Why don’t I what?”

“Go out into the kingdoms, silly. Who cares what your step­mother says? I’ve been out there, and if it’s safe enough for me, then— ”

“I could never do that alone.” Phillip pounded his fist into the mattress. “I wouldn’t know how to begin.”

“I didn’t mean go alone,” Daniel explained. “You need a com­panion to travel with you.”

Phillip could feel his heart race in his chest again as he con­templated what Daniel was suggesting. “Daniel, are you asking me to—”

Phillip was interrupted by a loud clatter from the darkened corner of the room. He turned to see a tall, muscular man with blond hair stumble out of the darkness and into the faint light of the bedside lamp. Phillip could see the man wore a dark green surcoat with acorns embroidered on the chest; a sword in a jeweled scabbard hung on his belt. The knight’s mouth was agape in mid-yawn, and he shook his head. He drew his sword from the scabbard and called up to the top of the bed, “Your Highness? Are you all right? I must have dozed off.”

“Your Highness?” Phillip asked. “I thought you were some type of explorer! I’ll ask you again. Who are you?”

“James,” the man said as he leaned over the mattress and spoke to the other man below, “I’m fine. Put your sword away. It appears I have found the owner of this ridiculous bed.” The man turned to face Phillip again. “I guess there is no hiding it now. I am Prince Daniel of Sylvania. That man down there is my guard­ian and travelling companion, Sir James. Pleased to make your acquaintance!” Daniel sat up in the bed and stuck his hand out to Phillip.

Phillip took Daniel’s hand and shook it meekly. “Well, you already know I’m Prince Phillip. No one told me we should be expecting a visit from the neighboring kingdom, so I’ll ask you one more time. What are you doing in this bed?”

“Can we climb down to the ground to discuss this? Maybe it’s the height, but something is making me a little dizzy.” Daniel threw his leg over the footboard and steadied himself on the first rung. He held his hand out to Phillip and called down to the floor, “James! Put your sword away and come help Prince Phillip and me down!”

Phillip looked at Daniel’s outstretched hand and felt a little dizzy himself. Realizing their time alone was over, he grabbed the edge of the coverlet and flung it toward the head of the bed in frustration. “I can get down fine on my own,” Philip mumbled, as he grabbed the lamp from the table and followed Daniel to the foot of the bed. Both men crawled down the footboard and dropped to the floor.

“James, take the lamp from Prince Phillip and see if you can find a torch or a candle. This is truly the darkest room I’ve ever seen.”

“There is a torch by the door,” Phillip said, as he handed the lamp to the knight.

Phillip squinted when the torch flooded the room with sudden brightness. In the full light of the torch, he could see more of Daniel. The other prince stood nearly the same height as Phillip and wore a doublet of emerald green and brown, the colors of Sylvania’s royal family. The fabric fell gracefully from his broad shoulders to his narrow hips, where Daniel rested his hands; he stood with his legs spread in an air of confident grace. Phillip stared at the man’s kind face and waited for him to speak.

“Well, no wonder,” Daniel said, as he looked about the room. “With these tapestries hanging over all the windows, you’ll never get any light in here. You should take these down.” He walked to the side of the room and began tugging gently on a tapestry.

“No!” Phillip cried out. “Please don’t touch those. Now will you please tell me what you are doing here?”

“Sorry,” Daniel said, as he let the tapestry fall back against the stone wall. “I already told you. I‘m just a wandering soul looking for a good night’s rest. James was here earlier and found the bed. He thought it might be a good place for me to sleep. We tried to ask someone for a place to stay but everyone is so busy talking about some girl that we couldn’t get anyone to help us. We finally just gave up and came in here to sleep.”

“Oh,
her
.” Phillip shrugged. “She’s not important. But I still don’t know why you’re here in my kingdom unannounced.”