Chapter 37
JACOB
LICHTENSTEIN CASTLE
“This whole marrying business makes me itchy all over,” Prince William mutters as we step into his quarters.
“One wife was more than enough for me, let me tell you. I got out of that one, but Father is furious at my insistence on never marrying again. There must be heirs and a name to carry on, apparently.”
“So it seems,” I say. “Perhaps tonight you’ll find a wife worthy of you.”
“I’d rather be chained in the dungeons than subject myself to another dreadful oath.
” The prince throws himself onto the couch, leaning his head back on the cushions, groaning.
“It is wonderful to be back in the world of comfort. I don’t know how you two do it, running about like savages in the wild. ”
This is more than comfort. Silk drapes cover stained-glass windows while paintings and tapestries cling to stone walls. Intricate carpets, ornate lamps, and artifacts clutter the room.
My eyes land on a wooden chest tucked beneath the bay window. The intricate carving of the wolf sends chills straight to my bones. I step closer to inspect the chest. Its bulging eyes seem to stare right at me.
“What is it?” Wilhelm joins my side only to suck in a deep breath.
I glance around the room and rip a tapestry off the wall, tossing it over the chest.
“What are you doing?” the prince cries. “That was woven by my great-grandmother.”
I press my finger to my lips and lean to whisper in his ear. “The chest looks exactly like something from where we visited last night.”
The prince stares at me, eyes widening as he realizes that chest has allowed Wissen to spy on him. “I’ll have it removed and burned immediately.”
“A wise choice,” I say. “In fact, I recommend having the entire castle checked.”
Once the chest is taken away, we pull out the maps and lists we stole from Wissen’s study.
“Reading through these leaves me no doubt the doctor’s men ambushed the weapons delivery. Which means our doctor is well armed,” I say uneasily. “Between his werewolves, the wooden chests scattered about the castle, and the addition of weapons, I’d bet he’s planning to overthrow your family.”
“And what better time to do that than at the ball amidst the chaos of so many guests and people coming and going.” Wilhelm adds. “The castle will be hard to defend. You should consider cancelling the ball.”
“That sounds too good to be true. I’ll bring this information to my father,” the prince says, but he doesn’t look hopeful. “I doubt he’ll cancel. In the meantime, I’m going to send soldiers to arrest the doctor and have him questioned immediately.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t suspect anything and run,” I say. “Plus, if the doctor is locked up, he won’t be able to hurt or marry Ella.”
“Exactly,” the prince says and leaves to search for his father.
Wilhelm and I find a seat, and a servant brings us drinks along with an assortment of fruit, cheese, and bread. Between Wilhelm and myself, we devour the food in minutes.
“Hardly enough food,” Wilhelm mutters as he pulls out the pen and book. “You took more than half.”
Probably true. I lean back, staring at the book. “Whose story are you writing?”
“The doctor’s, of course. I’d hoped the story would be finished by now, but the words “the end” haven’t appeared.
“That’s not good.”
“In the meantime, I’ve already started on the prince’s story. It’s only a matter of time before his name shows up.”
“Ella had a good point last night before she disappeared,” I admit. “The prince may be a Forbidden, but he’s not evil. Not like the doctor or his army of werewolves. What if the Enchantress is actually the villain here?”
“How many times have I said the same thing? You’re just considering it because of Ella.” Wilhelm begins writing letters in his flowing script. “But like you said, what choice do we have? We signed a blood oath.”
I sink my head into my hands. The magnitude of our task and the feeling of hopelessness weigh on me. “We live in a life without choice, don’t we?”
“You never told me,” Wilhelm says. “Did you find Ella?”
“Yes. She was at her manor. By the tree. Her family was there, so I couldn’t speak with her without drawing attention. It’s not normal for callers to be visiting betrothed ladies at the crack of dawn.”
“Yes, that might have been awkward. Do you think—?”
He stops there, unable to speak about what sits heavily on both of our minds. That Ella is a Forbidden. My chest tightens.
“I’ll find out tonight,” I finally say.
“If her stepmother will allow her to come to the ball.”
“She’ll come. I’m sure of it.” I tap the sides of the chair, unable to control my emotions churning inside of me.
“You’ve fallen for her, haven’t you?”
“What? Of course not!” I scowl, rising to pace before the window.
“I warned you. You should’ve stayed far away from her.”
“There’s no room for love in our lives.” I stare outside. A stone’s throw away is the edge of the cliff where the castle is perched, plunging into the valley below. I can see how living up here, one might feel powerful, untouchable. “All we’re guaranteed is death.”
And yet, our shared kiss lingers on my lips, tasting of life and the fullness of what could be. I’m desperate for that.
Desperate for her.