Cinderella Spell - Laurie Lee Page 0,46

a moment, and then pushed it open. He shook his head. “The place is abandoned.”

“Where could the family have gone? Shouldn’t they have appealed to the king if something happened?”

“I will ask about it.” He returned to his horse. “I should have done this years ago. I may have crossed paths with Ballins in town and not known him.”

“You’re starting now. By the time of the harvest festival, you will know your land keepers by name.”

They took a different path back toward the palace. As they cut through a patch of trees, the old keep came into view.

Robert paused. “That relic looks more dangerous each time I see it. When I am king, I will tear down as much as I may without harming Monmoore.

“I would not stop you.” She shivered.

He chuckled. “Still afraid of it? I thought my tour proved you had nothing to fear.”

“I don’t think I would feel quite as safe alone.”

Thunder rumbled somewhere in the distance behind them. “Come on, before we get rained on.”

26

By the third morning, Robert was beside himself. Emotions he’d never experienced swirled like the whirlwinds that tore trees from their rooted depths. The thought of food made his stomach turn. He dressed, not bothering with the fancy knotted tie nor silver buckles on his boots. She wouldn’t mind, his Cinderella.

He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror as he hurried across his bedroom. The sight of the pale man with sunken cheeks made him stop. His eyes should have been bright with love, but the shadows in them caused the tightness in his belly to harden into pain. The image of himself faded. He was with Cinderella, dancing across the ballroom. This was love, her gazing at him as he stared down into her blue eyes. Today he would see her once more, be able to hold her in his arms again. The man of the mirror could fade away. The sooner he met up with the caravan, the better.

“Should never have let them persuade me to stay.” He rushed out. The only one to meet him on his way was the strange sentry.

Richards stepped into his path. “Not a good time to be going, Sir. Fog’s thick, it is.”

Robert waved him away. “Fog or no, nothing will keep me from my bride.” He took a step, but Richards’ words made him stop again.

“Are you sure the girl here wouldn’t be the better choice for you?”

Something tried to break through. The shroud that seemed his constant companion these many weeks glimmered with the thought of Marissa. There was something that needed remembering. Almost, it came to mind. He tried to think what it could be, but pain shot through his head. He wanted to tear at his hair.

“Best be going, Sir.” Richards said with a sigh as he pushed Robert toward the door. “Cinderella be waiting. She’s not going to let you go without a fight.”

Two steps forward and the pain vanished. All thoughts aside from finding Cinderella vanished. He took to Chancellor, pushing the horse faster than he should in the fog, but he needed to get closer to his love.

The fog passed as morning progressed. Cold wisps of cloud hovered near young leaves. Robert passed through the king’s lands, taking to a culvert that curved around the main road. Finally, in the distance, dust rose into the air. He stopped, breathing hard. Chancellor’s sides heaved as well. He patted him. “I am sorry, my friend, but the prize will be well worth the hunt.” He dismounted and crawled his way up the culvert to the road. Excitement and need caused him to quiver with anticipation.

A line of cavalry men, two abreast, marked the coming of the carriage and his future wife. An inexplicable sense of sadness welled in his chest. He shivered, and the feeling passed. Thundering hooves beat the ground as they drew nearer. Robert moved into their path. Though they slowed, the welcome was not what he intended.

“Away with you,” the first soldier shouted, brandishing his sword above his shoulder.

“I have business here,” Robert called back as he stepped closer.

One of the soldiers jumped to the ground, sword swinging toward Robert. “This is king’s business. Step aside, or we go through you.”

Robert drew his sword in an instant, and the clank of iron upon iron rang through the wooded area. A different sword blocked the soldier from a second attack as someone grabbed his arm, pulling him back. “It’s the king’s son, you fool.” The young