The Wolf Prince (6 page)

Her own horse, a beautiful gray mare her father had given her for her twenty-first birthday, had been saddled with her favorite saddle. Trying to appear lighthearted, she swung her leg up and over, settling on her horse with the abundant grace she’d been born with.

“Are you ready?” she chirped brightly. Just once she wished she didn’t have to put on the act of beautiful, gracious princess. She’d have hoped, with the man she was supposed to marry, at least she’d get a chance to be herself.

Not that this oaf would notice. She suspected Prince Eric was such a narcissist that he only noticed others if they made him look bad. Which of course, she would never do.

Or would she? Even thinking such a thing made her shiver with delight. She was twenty-four years old. Maybe the time had come to make some changes in her life.

Tatiana had always been the good child, doing what was expected of her. When she’d been little, her mama, Queen Millicent, quite enjoyed treating her like a doll, dressing her up and changing her elaborate outfits sometimes as much as three times a day. She knew she was spoiled and if she often felt suffocated, well, it made her dear mama so happy. How could she even think of disappointing the one who’d given her life?

Despite the fact that Tatiana had grown increasingly bored and unhappy, she’d always taken care to please her parents. She’d found other avenues to vent her frustration and unfortunately her poor younger sister had taken the brunt of things.

But Willow never seemed to mind. At least on the surface. Tatiana suspected that she also kept her true feelings locked away inside.

They might be sisters, she reflected grimly, but neither truly knew the other. Maybe that too would have to change.

Prince Eric cleared his throat, bringing her attention back to him.

“Daydreaming?” he asked, his bored tone indicating he didn’t really care what she answered.

So she didn’t. Instead, she urged her horse forward, ignoring the man trying to mount the skittish gelding. As he swung his muscular leg over the animal’s back and Trouble bucked, she held her breath, hoping she’d get to watch Eric get thrown.

To her surprise, he got the horse under control easily, without too much fuss. Once Eric was certain Trouble would respond to the touch of his heels, he rode up alongside her. “This is a fine animal,” he told her, grinning triumphantly. “I’ll never understand why you’d geld a horse that looks like this.”

Instead of answering, she considered him. He looked human, for the first time since she’d met him. Albeit, a spectacularly beautiful human. Certainly, his smile transformed his handsomeness into another realm entirely; the kind of male beauty about which songs are written.

Though used to such beauty—she possessed numerous mirrors—Tatiana couldn’t help but stare.

Seeing this, he laughed out loud.

“What’s so funny?” she asked him, cross.

“You don’t really want to marry me, do you?” he asked.

Insight and beauty? Would wonders never cease? Now it was her turn to laugh. “Is it that obvious?”

“Only when I look at you.” His smile faded.

“Then don’t,” she popped off, making him laugh again. Oddly enough, she actually liked him now, when he was making absolutely no effort to impress her.

“How about this?” he offered. “Why don’t we quit worrying about impressing each other and just hang out like friends? We’re pretty evenly matched, at least in the looks department. Why don’t we try and get along?”

She thought about that for a moment. “I’m not sure I know how,” she finally admitted, bracing herself for his derision and scorn.

Instead, he merely cocked a brow at her. “It’s an acquired skill,” he said, his tone dry. “I promise you, it took me a while to learn it, as well.”

Urging his horse sideways until their knees were nearly touching, he held out his hand. “Friends?”

Though she wasn’t sure this wasn’t some sort of trick—after all, in her experience men like him were always exactly like they seemed—she took his hand and shook it.

“Friends.” Then, yanking her hand free, she urged her horse away and into a run. Trouble’s ears went back and she suspected he’d buck at any moment. “Catch me if you can.”

* * *

At first, the darkness of the room Willow had entered threw her off. Then, as her eyes gradually adjusted, she looked around her with great interest. The only part of this mammoth palace she’d seen had been the ballroom area downstairs.

She’d entered a bedroom. A masculine one, judging from the abundant leather and metal used to decorate the room. She took a step forward, the animal skin so plush and deep that she left footprints. Resting her hand on one of the leather chairs, she shuddered, unable to keep from wondering if the animal had suffered and hoping not.

A certain scent lingered in the air. She sniffed, a memory tickling at the edges of her mind. She knew this scent and if she had all the time in the world... It was tantalizingly familiar, though she couldn’t quite place it. But she liked the smell. It made her smile.

Now to find her mother’s precious pearl earring. Once she’d located that, she could beat a fast retreat, hopefully unnoticed. Especially by the handsome Prince Ruben. Moving confidently, she started toward the door.

A sound from the hallway made her freeze. Someone shouted. Another man answered. Footfalls, coming close. Heart pounding, she glanced around the room, searching for a place to hide. There. Quickly and quietly, she crossed the room to a set of double doors that could only be a closet.

More footsteps out in the hall. Several people, running. Guards, most likely. Someone must have seen her breaking in. Trying not to panic, she gave the closet door a tug. Nothing. Another tug, this time with more force. To her relief, the door opened. She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. It made a small sound as the handle clicked into place.

As she stood in the middle of someone’s clothes, she tried to breathe quietly when her body wanted her to inhale in great gasps. She willed herself calm and began to take in the scent surrounding her. This was the same masculine cologne she’d noticed earlier. All at once, she realized whose closet this was. If she closed her eyes, she could see his face and once again smell this particular scent of candlewood and spice.

Prince Ruben. Bad enough she’d broken into his room. But now she was hiding in his closet. And he was the last person she wanted to see right now.

Liar. Even as she formed the thought, she knew it wasn’t entirely true.

Listening hard, she heard nothing else from outside the hallway. Still, she waited, her heart beating slow and steady.

She would succeed. She would not be caught. If her mother learned she’d taken her jewelry without permission... Even thinking about the possibility made her shudder. Avoiding her mother’s ire was worth any risk.

After a few seconds had passed without any more sounds, she cautiously opened the door a crack. And waited again.

Finally, satisfied that the danger of discovery had passed, she pushed the door open and stepped into the room.

The instant she did, the lights came on.

Chapter 6

“C
are to explain yourself?” Prince Ruben, muscular arms crossed, blocked the doorway into the hall. Another man, who looked so much like him that he had to be his father, the king, stood in front of the balcony, cutting off that way of escape.

Caught. Swallowing hard, she hoped her voice didn’t betray her fear. “I came to get—”

He cut her off. “Who are you working with?” The ice in his voice felt like frost hitting her heart.

“I don’t understand,” she began. “I’m not working with anyone.”

“You cannot expect me to believe you caused the explosion alone.”

Stunned, she narrowed her eyes. “Explosion?” Fear forgotten, she drew herself up straight. Now her wintry tone matched his. “You honestly think I had something to do with that?”

“Are you saying you didn’t?”

“Of course I am. I helped you with the wounded, remember? How could you possibly think that I could...”

Words failed her. To her shock, she found herself blinking back tears, one of her flaws that she hated with a passion. She always cried when she was angry. Indignity warred with exhaustion as she pushed herself away from him. “That’s it. I’m out of here.”

“Sit down,” he ordered. “You’re not going anywhere.”

She nearly laughed in his face. Instead, hands clenched into fists, she raised her head and looked him in the eye. “I’d rather not sit, if you don’t mind.”

Almost nose to nose, his gaze shot daggers back at her. The older man still hadn’t spoken. Willow glanced at him, surprised to see his mouth twitch in the beginnings of a smile. This was amusing him? Really?

“Look.” Moving back half a step, she took a deep breath, including them both in her apology. “I’m sorry I broke into your palace, but I swear I had absolutely nothing to do with the bomb. I came here looking for my earring.”

Something flickered in his gaze. “Your earring,” he repeated back.

Noting his complete lack of surprise, she took heart and continued. “Yes. It’s made from pearls. I was wearing it at the ball last night. Maybe you saw it? Dangly and very old. It’s a family heirloom and therefore quite valuable. You’ve found it, haven’t you?”

Instead of answering, he uncrossed his arms. She couldn’t help but notice how the fabric on his shirt pulled against his muscles as he moved. She also noticed the way he had his hands clenched into fists. Just like her. Taking another deep breath, she forced herself to relax and try again. “That earring doesn’t even belong to me. It’s my mother’s. I have to return it to her.”

“I’m sure she’ll understand,” he drawled. “Especially when she finds out her daughter is being held until we have some answers.”

“Held?” Her stomach churned. This wasn’t good. They had visitors back at home. Now was the worst possible time for her to disappear. “You can’t keep me here. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Prove it.” His amber eyes dared her. “I’m perfectly willing to hear a plausible explanation. That is, if you have one.”

“I’ve told you the truth.”

“No, I suspect you haven’t. Why would you break in and try to search my home for your missing jewelry? Why not simply ask to see me and request my help?”

Put that way, he made her sound like an incompetent bungler and a thief. But that still didn’t make her a mad bomber.

The man over by the window cleared his throat, drawing her gaze. “Who are you, my dear?” he asked, his voice as warm as Prince Ruben’s was not.

For one startled instant, she almost gave her true name and title. As in
Princess Willow of the SouthWard Brights
. But her people didn’t exist in this world. “My name is Willow,” she said instead.

Prince Ruben snorted. “Is it really?” he asked rudely. “Or did you make that up, too?”

Shades help her, she saw red. “Too? I’m telling you the truth. Look, I know I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have broken in here. But—”

“Then why did you?” Again he interrupted her, his voice low and furious. “It couldn’t have been because you didn’t want to see me again, now could it?”

At that, King Leo chuckled. “Enough. Both of you. Ruben, bring your lady friend and let’s go downstairs to my office. We have much to talk about.”

Though his rigid jaw belied his anger, Ruben nodded. “After you,” he told Willow. “And don’t try to make a run for it. You still have a lot of explaining to do.”

She shook her head, docilely following the king. At least he didn’t appear to think she was capable of bombing their palace. Truth be told, she didn’t understand why Prince Ruben did. Had her disappearing the night of the ball angered him that much?

If so, then he was more like her sister and mother than she’d care to admit. And since she normally avoided toxic people as much as possible, she’d been right to take off without a word of goodbye. Though she still felt marginally guilty, for some reason.

“I’ve already explained,” she grumbled as they marched single file down the long hallway to the circular marble stairs. She wondered what they’d do if she took off running—she was pretty sure she could outrun the older man.

But probably not Ruben. And if she tried such a foolish stunt, she would be in an even worse place than she’d been from the beginning. Without the earring
and
with Prince Ruben considering her his enemy. Which apparently he already did.

Oddly enough, that rankled nearly as much as the knowledge of the punishment her mother would dole out if Willow didn’t return the jewelry.

She actually
liked
Prince Ruben. Or she had, until today when he’d shown his true colors. He’d given her the most magical night of her life, at least until the bomb had gone off. She just couldn’t understand how he could even consider her as a suspect. How could he possibly think she could have been behind such as thing?

Finally they reached the bottom of the staircase. King Leo went right, heading down yet another long hallway. Willow glanced longingly left, toward the set of double doors that no doubt led to the outside and freedom.

The exact moment she did, Prince Ruben came up alongside her and took her arm. “This way,” he murmured, steering her firmly after his father.

Shadefire be damned if she didn’t feel a shiver of longing at his casual touch. How much more of a fool could she be?

Finally, after a few twists and turns, they reached a set of double mahogany doors. These were open, revealing a luxurious office that was...well, fit for a king. King Leo took a seat behind a massive L-shaped desk, made of dark wood that was so highly polished, she could see her own reflection. The king picked up his phone and spoke a few words quietly.

Ruben closed the door behind him. The steely glare he gave her dared her to try to leave.

She took one of the armchairs in front of the desk, expecting the prince to do the same. Instead, he perched on the side, angling both the chair and his body in such a way that would block her if she tried to make a run for the door.

As if she would. The fear no longer governed her. Instead, the slow burn of anger that had begun low in her belly, fueled her, making her feel flushed. To accuse her of this? Her! Though this human prince had no idea who she truly was, that shouldn’t matter. She’d actually thought they’d connected last night.

Finally, the king placed the phone in the receiver and looked expectantly at her. “Go ahead,” he said, his eyes sparkling with warm humor. “Obviously you have something you want to say.”

“Look, I understand that you don’t know me,” she began, including both father and son in one sweeping gesture. “But I can assure you I had nothing to do with that bombing.”

King Leo nodded, encouraging her to continue.

“I have no reason,” she said, spreading her hands. “I wanted to attend your ball, so I did. I came simply to have a good time. Nothing more.”

“Do you have any friends?” The prince’s eyes sharpened. “Is there someone who can actually vouch for your character?”

Shades of moon. Vouch for her character?

“No,” she said, struggling to hide her annoyance. “I have met a few people, but made no actual friends. I have no one who can vouch for me.”

“That won’t be necessary,” King Leo interjected, cutting off his son before he got a chance to speak. “We already know you had nothing to do with the bombing.”

“We do?” Standing, Prince Ruben sounded as shocked as she felt. Once again, he crossed his arms. “Please, enlighten me.”

King Leo picked up a sheaf of paper from his desk. He slid it over toward the prince. “My advisors phoned a moment ago. We’ve received a video from the extremists. In it, they claim responsibility for the bomb.”

A muscle worked in Ruben’s firm jaw as he read the paper. “How do we know she is not a member of that group?”

Willow couldn’t help it—she snorted out loud at that. Most assuredly not ladylike, but this prince wasn’t acting even remotely like a gentleman, either.

“I promise you, I’m not,” she said, mentally daring him to contradict her.

As he glared back, she swore she saw a flicker of desire in his dark gaze. Mingled with his anger, so potent she almost responded in kind.

Of course, she wasn’t a fool. And, she had to admit to herself, there was a strong possibility she’d simply imagined it.

* * *

Trying to stare her down, Ruben barely restrained himself from baring his teeth and growling. Something about her made his inner wolf wild. Just like it had the first moment he’d seen her, his beast fought to break free. Until recently, Ruben would have sworn he was gaining ground on his inner battles. Not so much as of late. He used every ounce of self-control he had to keep the animal contained.

His wolf liked her scent. His beast wanted her, with a savage, single-minded intent.

Worse, his father knew. His father’s wolf couldn’t help but pick up on the restless frustration emanating from within Ruben.

Watching her with narrowed eyes, Ruben tried to figure out how such a small slip of a girl could have so much power over the other part him. At least his human side had emotions carefully under control.

“Where did you come from?” he asked abruptly.

Instead of answering, she simply gazed at him, her beautiful caramel-colored eyes huge and full of tantalizing secrets.

“Go ahead and answer, dear,” the king urged. “He won’t rest until he knows. For that matter, I’m a bit curious myself. I have my suspicions you see, and I just need you to confirm them.”

Ruben could see her struggling to find the right words.

“Don’t lie,” he warned.

Anger flashed in her gaze. “I wasn’t about to.” Giving him one final contemptuous once-over, she turned and looked at his father. “I came from the forest. There’s a...passageway there. It links my home and yours.”

Her answer visibly startled the older man. “Are you one of the Shadows?”

She tilted her head. “No. Despite my appearance, I’m Bright. How do you know of us?”

“Because I’ve used that portal, when I was a young lad. I’ve met your king and queen once. Of course, that was a very long time ago.”

Now her brave facade faltered. “Millicent is my mother.”

“But your eyes...”

“Are the wrong color, I know.” She sighed. “It’s rumored my real father was a Shadow.”

King Leo nodded, his expression contemplative. “This puts a completely different spin on things, Princess.”

Princess?
The entire exchange made absolutely no sense. Ruben nearly interrupted, but he wanted to see where his father was going with this nonsense. Willow was no princess. He would have heard about her long before now. Royalty and beauty were always talked about.

“And you attended the ball the other night?” the king asked.

“Yes.” She shot Ruben a sideways glance, spearing him with heat. “For me, it was last night, but time passes different in our worlds. I danced with your son.”

King Leo smiled. “I trust you enjoyed yourself?”

“Very much so.” Though her voice vibrated with sincerity, she wouldn’t look away from the king. Ruben inwardly demanded she meet his gaze, to no avail. “At least until the explosion. After the bomb went off, I assisted Ruben here in helping the wounded.”

He nodded. “Very commendable, wouldn’t you say, son?”

Ruben jerked his head in a curt nod.

“I only came back to find my earring,” Willow continued softly, the rich texture of her voice washing over him and sending another sharp pang of desire straight into his core. “I wore a set of matching pearl earrings and went home missing one.”

“Are they very valuable?” King Leo asked.

“Only to me. And my mother.” She swallowed, drawing Ruben’s attention to her slender throat. “Since the pearls belong to my mother, as I’ve said, I’ve got to get it back. She has a temper and she’ll be very upset if I don’t recover the missing piece. She, ah, doesn’t know I borrowed them.”

No surprise there. Of course she’d taken them without permission. Just like she’d broken into the castle. Evidently Willow wasn’t a fan of playing by the rules.

“Ruben, have you located her earring?” his father asked him sternly.

For the briefest moment, Ruben considered saying no. But because he didn’t want to add lies to her deception, he nodded. “I found it last night. I have it upstairs in my room.”

“Send someone to fetch it for the princess,” King Leo ordered.

“The princess?” Fed up, Ruben looked from one to the other. “Are you saying you believe this nonsense? She’s as much a princess as I’m a—”

“Enough,” King Leo commanded. His implacable expression showed he meant it. “I’ll explain later. Ring for one of the chambermaids to bring her earring to us.”

Jaw aching from clenching it so tightly, Ruben reached for the desk phone and did as he’d been told.

When he finished, he hung up and forced himself to look at Willow, steeling himself against the unwanted sensuality of her dusky beauty. “Soon you’ll have your precious bauble,” he said, his tone like frost.

She stood resolute, completely not intimidated. His wolf approved of her courage, which unsettled him even more.

“I really appreciate that,” she said without expression, refusing to take her eyes from his. As they locked gazes, his wolf thrilled at the challenge, daring her to back down. When she dropped her eyes first, he felt a sudden jolt of victory, of conquest, which he quickly doused.