With a snort, Russell yanked her favorite knife from the wall, then levitated up to the beam and sliced the material free.
“Thank you!” she whispered, bundling up the fabric in her arms.
He dropped quietly to the ground and helped her gather up the rope and carry it to the small area behind the screen.
“Don’t leave!” she warned him. She dropped her backpack on the floor by his feet, kicked off her boots, then stretched the screen across the room.
He sat on the floor, surrounded by mounds of gold and red silk. It was darker here, since the screen blocked the moonlight that filtered through the open window. Even so, he spotted a thick, quilted pallet folded and stashed in the corner. Was that her bed? Then this small area had to be her bedroom. He winced, imagining Rajiv’s reaction if he caught a vampire in the princess’s bedchamber.
Jia’s soft footsteps crossed the room to the door, then Russell heard the scrape of the bolt. “Is there something wrong, Rajiv?”
Heavier footsteps entered the room, and the door closed. “Everything’s fine,” Rajiv answered. “I just wanted to give this to you.”
“What is it?” Jia asked, and Russell shifted closer to a gap in the screen. Unfortunately, all he could see was Rajiv’s back.
“Another gift from the Grand Tiger of South Korea,” Rajiv explained. “It must be very expensive, since he sent it with a courier.”
“Oh.” Jia didn’t sound overly thrilled.
“The courier told me he had a tough time getting it through customs, so it delayed his arrival here,” Rajiv continued. “The Grand Tiger insisted that you receive the gift today, so the courier begged me to bring it straight to you. Apparently, you’re supposed to receive a gift every day until your betrothed arrives.”
Betrothed? Russell sat back. Jia was engaged? To a Grand Tiger? He closed his eyes, no longer wanting to see, and wishing he didn’t have to hear.
“They really shouldn’t go to so much trouble,” Jia murmured.
“It is a bit much,” Rajiv agreed, “but look at it this way. They’re definitely serious about the marriage. And they’re trying hard to impress you.”
“I suppose,” Jia mumbled.
A sick feeling gnawed at Russell’s gut, and he twisted his hand around a clump of red silk. What the hell had he expected? She was a princess after all. And to think he’d come so close to taking her with him into danger.
“Open it,” Rajiv urged.
There was a creaking sound of a lid being lifted, followed by Jia’s gasp.
Rajiv whistled. “That’s got to be worth a fortune. And you know what? It would look perfect with the bracelets from your mom. Let’s see.” A chest opened.
“It’s late,” Jia protested.
“Come on, I want to see you look like a princess.” There was a pause and some rustling sounds, then Rajiv said, “I wish Grandfather could see you now. I wish he could see the wedding.”
“I know.” Jia sighed. “I miss him, too.”
“You should probably make your wedding gown from all that red and gold silk they sent you yesterday,” Rajiv said. “I have a feeling that’s why they sent it.”
Russell scoffed silently as he tossed the material away. She had used an engagement present for her escape?
“I’ll let you get back to sleep now,” Rajiv said, and his footsteps crossed to the door. “See you tomorrow.”
The door shut, then Jia’s steps rushed to the door and she slid the bolt.
Russell eased to his feet and opened the screen a few feet. When Jia turned to face him, his heart stilled for a moment. Even in her plain clothes, she looked every bit a princess. The moonlight shone around her, gleaming off thick, raven-black hair, smooth, flawless skin, and large, golden cat eyes. A long necklace of gold and jade encircled her neck, and a jade pendant of a tiger nestled between her breasts. More gold and jade decorated the cufflike bracelets around her wrists.
He leaned back against the wall as his heart slumped.
She stepped toward him. “I’m sorry you had to hear that, but it doesn’t change anything.”
“You think not?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re engaged. To a Grand Tiger. A wealthy one.”