Whenever-kobo (17 page)

“Uh, well, we’ll explain later. But let’s go with Callum now.”

Austin glanced at the exit and then at the almost catatonic Sean. He nodded. “Let’s go.”

Lisette didn’t say anything; she just stepped forward.

We led a wary-eyed Austin, a silent, subdued Sean, and an exhausted Lisette through the crypt.

I shivered against the cool air and blinked, trying to adjust to the darkness.

Austin fired up his flashlight app. Callum and I jerked at the mechanical whir and then Callum grabbed Austin’s arm, pointing the light toward the back of the crypt. We followed the rows of tombs which were eerily unchanged, until we reached the last one. I traced the numbers on the side. 1036.
We did that.
The 1013 king, Jamie’s father, lived longer because of our cure. 1036.

I stilled and moved back one, tracing the name. “Look at this.”
James. 1067.

“Jamie,” Callum said.

Austin slapped the top of the eleventh century tomb. “Old king. Younger king. Whatever. Let’s move it.”

Callum appeared torn between popping him and agreeing. Giving in to our need to get home, he turned to the four-foot high arched wooden door concealing the tunnel. A large rusted lock sat in the blackened wood. Callum didn’t even try to mess with it. He planted his foot square to the right and kicked. The boards groaned but held. Two more sharp kicks and the dense, aged wood cracked and gave. Callum put his shoulder to the wood and pushed the door open, letting earthy air from the tunnel into the stale crypt.

Callum pulled Austin up beside him. “Follow me in case we run into problems. Keep the light up.”

We walked at least two hundred yards, at times crouched in half to avoid partially caved-in ceilings. The path curved upwards and around, narrowed, and widened. “How much further?” Lisette asked. She sounded hoarse, completely drained.

“Just there,” Callum said, satisfaction in his voice.

Up ahead lay more stone wall.

A dead end.

Callum glanced at me. “It’s a veneer, an exit, a secret entrance to the solarium.”

“That’s good because the chapel walls were at least two-feet thick,” Austin said, “Stand back. We’ll put our boots to it.”

The guys kicked at the space. Chunks of rock and mortar landed around Callum’s medieval footwear and Austin’s cowboy boots. A hole widened and drywall opened into a modern room. The décor was ornate: dark wood furnishings inset with ivory tulips, green Berber carpets along with yellow velvet curtains. Most importantly, the room was illuminated by artificial light and heated by central heating--the miracle comfort of modern conveniences.

Austin assisted Lisette over the rubble while Callum stood back and took my hand. He kissed the back. “We made it.”

My fingers tightened on his and I grinned big as I stepped forward, wobbling on the uneven debris. Callum put his arm around my waist. His muscles tightened and he half-lifted me over the edge.

Sean crossed the threshold last, his arms around himself, his chin on his chest.

We must have made a lot of noise because a number of people came through the door: multiple security guards in dark suits with ear pieces and Callum’s parents. His parents appeared almost twenty years older than the pictures I’d seen of them. The worry and stress they were under showed in their faces and in their posture. They went straight to Callum. Relief cleared their pained expressions. They grabbed him. After an extended hug, they pulled back. His father hugged Sean next while Callum gave them an abbreviated version of what had happened.

“Come with me now,” his dad said quietly to Sean, and they left the room.

Callum’s mom didn’t let Callum go until his dad returned, and then we were formally introduced to the Queen of Ireland.

I wiped my hand on the side of my dress, but noting the broken nails and dirt underneath, I didn’t offer it to shake hands. Lisette half-waved her hands and half-curtseyed, weaving on her feet. No doubt we both got the etiquette wrong, but under the circumstances I thought we’d be forgiven.

The introductions were brief. “We’ve worried so.” Tears overflowed the Queen’s reddened eyes. “We prayed and we hoped and we feared.” She wiped at her wet cheeks and stared hard between me and Callum and at our outfits. Her face blanched. Callum draped an arm around her shoulders. She cleared her throat. “You all look so tired and we need to talk to Callum in private.” She hugged Callum again and moved to a speaker phone on the wall. “Let me call for food, and beds. You can contact your families from the guest rooms.”

Family. She’d said the magic word. I rushed to the door, paused, and looked back.

“You go up,” Callum said, his voice somber.

I yawned. Lisette swayed and Austin took her arm. They moved around me, following a uniformed servant from the room.

I hurried to Callum’s side and without looking at his mom whispered, “Swear you’ll be here when I get back.”

He nodded.

I had no more time with him than that before leaving to catch up to the others. We ascended a grand staircase and followed a Persian carpet runner down a long corridor. I saw nothing of the past in this airy grand mansion. I’d have to get Callum to tell me what he recognized.

We were ushered into a suite. Three doors branched off a central living room.

The servant gestured. “Bedrooms and en suites through there.” He handed Austin and me a cellphone and gestured Lisette to the land line. “Dial zero, zero, one to get a line to the US. I’ll go down and arrange for a snack.”

Lisette ran to the phone, her hand to her face.

“Thanks.” Austin’s face lit up and his icy eyes glowed.

I froze a second, staring at the rare color, knowing my theory was right. I stood there until Austin said, “Mom?”

My family. Phone. I took the cell to one of the other doors. The room inside was done in white satin and dark wood. Red roses sat in a vase on the nightstand. The room was stunning, but the decorating marvel barely registered as I sank cross-legged to the floor and dialed. The phone rang a weird hollow foreign ringtone, and then Mom answered. “Hayley?”

I choked on a sob. “Mom?”

“Oh God. Are you all right, baby?”

“I’m fine.” I wiped a wet tear off my face and tried to stir up some normalcy. “How are you, and Dad, and the boys?”

“We’re fine, and we’re on our way to get you.” Mom sounded relieved, frantic, and excited all at the same time and she gave me the rundown. They were actually at the airport about to board a plane with Austin’s parents. “Now you get some rest, baby, and we’ll see you when you wake up.”

I didn’t want to let her go, but I knew she would have to turn off electronics for takeoff. I powered off and went into the bathroom, keeping the phone, needing that freedom to contact the outside world. My strength almost crumbled at the sight of the modern shower. Bliss.

When I came out, I found pajamas laid out for me. I dressed and went back to the living room feeling human again. Lisette had showered too and lay on the couch between our rooms. Her wet hair rested on the couch cushion at an awkward angle and she was out cold. I didn’t see Austin and assumed he’d hit the sack too.

Snacks, consisting of fruit and crackers, sat on silver trays, untouched, beside a white carafe on top of the coffee table. What was with Europeans and their fruit and crackers? I snagged a dark purple grape and went back to the bedroom.

I drug a fluffy white satin cover and a pillow loose and made Lisette comfortable. Then I went into the other bedroom and grabbed an identical one to put over the big armchair and ottoman. I understood why Lisette lay in the common area. I didn’t really want to be alone either. I curled up on top of the high thread count spread and reveled in the modern comforts. My eyes were heavy and I thought maybe I’d go check on Callum a little later.

I slept so deeply, I don’t remember dreaming, and it took a moment to understand where I was when I awakened. The thrashing sound of shifting blankets drew my attention to the couch. Lisette was mumbling and tossing in her sleep.

“Lisette, wake up.”

She jerked upright, her blonde curls wild around her face. The morning light brightened her hair to almost a halo effect. My little brothers had golden hair like that, though theirs was straight like mine and they were no angels.

“Hungry?” I said.

“Nightmare.” Lisette groaned. “I’m so sore. Can you roll me down to breakfast or maybe pull me on this coverlet?”

“I could.” I tugged at a strand of my own hair. “But, you may want to have a look at that wild mane of yours first. I’ve never seen hair get that big before. What if the press is here with cameras?”

Lisette shrieked and ran to the bathroom, any lingering horror from her bad dream had vanished, replaced by the more mundane fear of being photographed with morning hair. The whole scene was so normal I smiled.

I went into my own bedroom, dragging the blanket to put it back and noticed an array of pale dresses laid out on a low bench along with a toiletry kit. It was weird that I’d slept so hard that I hadn’t heard the maid come in, but I was grateful to have something to change into.

Lisette and I went down to breakfast, each wearing a borrowed dress. Mine was a fragile peach fabric and hers a pale yellow. As nice as the garments were, I’d be so glad to get my own clothes back. I really wanted a pair of jeans and socks.

The servant escorting us went over the expectations. Breakfast was served buffet style, come and go as we liked, and please let her know if we had any special food requests.

After what I’d been eating for the last three days, I was certain that any modern European breakfast would be fine. I walked through the doorway, mentally debating pancakes versus waffles and reveled in the thought of processed foods.

Callum was seated across from his parents. He and his dad stood when we entered and the Queen waved us forward.

“Please excuse me,” Callum said to the table. He came over to my side. “A moment?”

“Sure.” The sight of Callum was fascinating. In the time I’d been asleep, he’d found modern clothes and his wavy brown hair was brushed back into its side-sweep haircut. He looked expensive and familiar and foreign all at once.

Callum led me into the relative privacy of the corridor. “You’ve changed.”

“Speaking of change, you’re gorgeous.”

“I don’t want everyone ogling you. It won’t end well for them.” He touched a finger to my bottom lip as if playing in the sticky gloss. “You’re beautiful.”

I smiled up at him enjoying the sensation. “You’re beautiful.”

He shoved a hand through his hair and a flush tinged his cheeks. After a quick glance around the empty corridor, he bent toward me. I tilted up on my tiptoes to press closer. His mouth lowered, nearing mine. My heart rate kicked up and my lips tingled, anticipating his touch.

“Dude, at least let her have breakfast,” Austin said, coming down the stairs. Callum jerked back and angled slightly in front of me.

I leaned away. “Morning, Austin. Any word?”

“Parents due any second,” he said, grinning.

“Really?” I couldn’t help the squeal.

Austin slapped Callum in the shoulder. “Yeah, bro, her dad’s not going to like you heading for first base.”

Callum stiffened. “Don’t touch me.”

“Dude,” Austin said, and went into the breakfast room. “Morning, royals. Dear God, please, tell me that’s bacon?”

Callum turned to me, his expression complicated: worried, annoyed, and slightly happy all at once. “I know your family’s on their way. I know you want breakfast, but I need a minute.”

“Okay.”

His large hand closed around mine and he tugged me down the corridor, picking up the pace the further we got from the breakfast room.

“What happened with Sean?”

“My parents had thought he was too young to remember an adopted cousin who’d stayed with his family a few years. They never imagined he was haunted by Jamie disappearing. They never even told us that much about him; just that he was a distant cousin who’d stayed with Sean’s family a time and then returned home.” His voice sobered. “They’re getting Sean private care.”

“And those men who came after you?”

“Sean gave us all the details and they’ve been picked up. You’re safe now.” Callum led me out onto a terrace that held row upon row of arches. They overlooked a vast expanse of lush manicured gardens. He pulled me in front of him and wrapped his arms around me. For once, we could just be. We weren’t rushing home or desperate to save anyone. I breathed in and leaned against him.

“This is my favorite spot,” Callum said. “But it’s different. As familiar as this feels, I remember that structure being half the size it is now.”

“Weird.” The fragrance of flowers wafted on the soft air from the garden and mixed with his cologne. “I love it.” I looked up into his eyes. The rest of the words died there and I stared up at him, into the intensity of his gaze. My heart rate picked up and I turned, placing my arms around his neck. “Tell me you forgive me for the day we met. Tell me you know I’d never have catered to the press or the scandal if I’d known.”

His mouth curved up, and he dropped a kiss on my collarbone. “I know.” The words, said in a whisper, fluttered against my skin, unraveling my composure.

“Tell me you don’t care I lied and said we were married.”

He lowered his head and kissed my neck, a brief brush of sensation. “I’m thankful it kept us together.”

My hands tightened and I pressed closer. “Are they going to keep us apart now?”

He lowered his hands from my waist to my hips and pulled me closer. “They’ll try,” he said. He pressed his lips to my jawline, another light kiss. “They’ll fail.”

The touch radiated heat and it was too much and not enough. I dug my nails into his shoulders. “Callum.”

“Hayley,” he whispered against my ear. His hands roamed on my back and he seemed to have lost the medieval sensibilities and restraint he’d had over the last few days. The feeling was drugging. I wasn’t used to having to make him mind his hands like I had to with a date back home. I dropped my head back and forced my gaze up to his. “Why will they fail?”