Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(21)
Thoughts race through my head about what the next step I should take. So caught up I am in thinking that I don’t hear the door opening, or I could have turned around in time. But since I didn’t notice the sound, I let out a shriek when strong arms seize my waist and a man’s hot breath bears down the side of my face.
“My dearest Salome,” an oily voice purrs. “You’re early today. Couldn’t wait to see me? In that case, I’ll make it good for you, kitten.”
He tries to undress me; I retaliate by stomping on his foot. Hard. Pity I’m not wearing heels, I could’ve done more damage than eliciting a grunt of pain.
“How dare you…” The man’s voice trails off; he realizes I’m not Salome. I edge away, my hands ready to fend him off if he moves on me again.
My jaw drops when I get a good look on the man who molested me.
I’m doomed.
* * *
Jér?me. The younger brother of the emperor who’s known to be utterly depraved and sexually promiscuous.
“Princess Katriona?”
Totally busted.
“I… I found that I had to come back for something…” I stammer. “There is a bracelet I need to bring with me, it’s a precious gift from the queen.” I sound ridiculous, and he can sense it as well. I really should ask Edward to teach me how to do a stoic expression. I completely suck at faking my attitude.
“In that case, allow me accompany you back to your rooms,” he says, offering his arm. “My brother is waiting. He had mentioned how much he looks forward to this boat trip.”
I can’t go with him. If, as he said, there are servants waiting in my room, then Katriona Bradshaw and Edward have not gone out yet. They must be somewhere in the palace, and I cannot risk running into them now.
“No! I mean, I don’t need to go there right now.” At that moment, my stomach gives a loud growl. It has been a full day since I had anything to eat, thanks to that transformation spell. “I would like to go to the kitchens and find something to eat. I’m famished.”
He stares at me. “You just had lunch, Princess Katriona.”
“Did I?” I laugh, trying to appear like everything is normal. “But I...well, I decided that it’s not enough. Your cooks produce such good food, I wouldn’t mind having more.”
He is looking more and more suspicious. “It’s unnecessary for you to go to the kitchens when you can be served in your own room. The princess does not have to do things for herself, or what’s the use of employing so many servants?”
“Well, but I…”
He takes a step closer his eyes sharp and piercing. “Why are you acting so strangely, Princess Katriona?”
Just at that moment a servant appears. “Your Grace, His Majesty would like to ask you if you’re coming to the boat trip with the prince of Athelia.” The servant glances at me, and a shocked look follows. Oops. He’s thinking that Jér?me and I are having a secret tryst.
“We shall be along shortly,” Jér?me says calmly. “Well? Let us embark on the boat tour, Princess. My brother and your husband are waiting.”
No. I can’t appear in front of Augustin and Simone, while Katriona is also there. As much as I yearn to see Edward and let him know I have arrived safe and sound, I can’t do it now. They might toss me out or punish me or do something even worse if they figure out I am a fraud. The news of my court trial is likely to have reached Moryn. They probably know all about a girl who showed up and tried to masquerade as Princess Katriona.
Jér?me watches me, and it’s as if he read my mind. “You must be that girl who looks similar to Princess Katriona. The one who claimed to be the real sister of Bianca Bradshaw, and tried to take the throne.” His eyes harden. “What made you return? Are you that obsessed with Prince Edward?”
I shake my head, frantically trying to come up with an excuse. Oh my God, I shouldn’t have asked the fairies to transport me to wherever Edward was. This is really bad.
“Then let me escort you to the river.”
“I…” I dart a look around, wondering if it’s possible to escape.
“As I thought. It must be fate I have met you twice.” His hand clamps on my arm, drawing me to him. His grip is like iron, and though I would love to use a karate chop on him, I can’t beat him up when there are guards outside. “I thought you looked familiar.”
“Please. Can you send me back to Athelia?” I sound pathetic. But what can I do when I’ve got nothing to bargain for?
His eyes gleam. “I think not. You know, I once had an Athelian mistress. Though you aren’t as pretty as she is, you’ll do. Can’t have you running off and causing trouble for the prince and princess.”
Raising his voice, he says to the servant behind me, “Tell His Majesty that I have decided not to come to the boat trip. The pleasures of the river are not as enticing as pleasurable female company.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“So…” Jér?me tightens his grip on my arm. “Come with me, my lady.” He says ‘my lady’ in an ironic tone, like he knows I am common born. Keeping a firm grip on my wrist, he drags me along with him.
I try very hard not to panic. I cannot let myself be seen by Edward and Katriona at this moment, so it might be better that I stay in the palace for now. But still, I can’t go with Jér?me, who’s known to be a womanizer. If the rumors are true, then I have walked into a lion’s den.