The Beauty Thief Page 2

  “Ah, yes. Of course, there’s no reason you can’t be the only and the best.” He winked. “Besides, if I had to choose between you and our baby brother, you know I would choose you first.” He paused with a mischievous look in his eyes. “But only because you’re marrying my friend! Ha!”

  At this, she reached over and punched him in the arm. “Very funny. But, you know as well as I do, if Brennan heard you calling him a baby, he’d call you out for a duel.”

  He chuckled. There was no denying it; their fourteen-year-old brother, though lovable, was a bit of a hothead. The siblings were quiet for a moment while Caityn served the tea with expert ease. She sipped and Adair held his cup aloft.

  “In all seriousness, you are the best sister a brother could ask for.”

  Caityn shook her head and hid her smile behind her tea cup. “That’s kind of you to say. I don’t deserve praise, especially from you—the big brother I always teased and tormented.”

  Adair relaxed back and breathed in the memories of childhood. “Oh, we both know I only got as good as I gave.”

  Caityn, still hiding behind her cup, couldn’t mask the mischievous smile creeping up into her eyes. “Yes, I suppose that’s true. I’m still trying to decide if I should forgive you or rain down retribution on you for the time you stuck a mouse in my pocket and set the cat to chase. Remember how she clawed me up one side and down the other? I suppose you’re lucky Mother didn’t have you mucking stalls and doing every dirty stable chore for a week! I was left with kitty scratches all over my arms and neck, and you ruined my best day dress, frightening me and half the household staff, I might add. Mother was likely relieved no one was truly hurt.”

  Adair couldn’t help but laugh at the memory. “You looked hilarious, all flailing about like a chicken separated from its head.” He leaned forward to add weight to the melodrama of his next words. “Besides, working scullery in the kitchen for a week was more than enough punishment. Your honor—and dress—have been recompensed, I think.”

  “Pampered,” Caityn said. She shook her head, and her genial laughter filled the room. “Yes, I suppose kitchen duty is going to have to be enough. But do be wary, dear brother.”

  She made a sly wink accompanied the sinister tapping together of her fingers, and Adair had to laugh along with her.

  * * *

  Theiandar heard the soft trill of Caityn’s laughter as it echoed down the hall and picked up his pace. Who was with her? He stepped through the open door, and half joking said, “What’s this? Only my wit should cause the sweet sound echoing down the hall.” He hated admitting, even to himself, that he was relieved it was Adair who he found delighting his betrothed and not someone else. “Should I be jealous?”

  He approached the table and Adair rose, his height matching Theiandar’s six-foot frame. The two men grasped arms in greeting.

  “Welcome home, Adair,” Theiandar said with all sincerity. “Cait was just telling me earlier she was worried you wouldn’t make it back for the wedding. How was your time down seas?”

  Adair’s contagious grin spread wider at the mention of his travels. “Fantastic. But . . . that’s a story for another day. I doubt Caity would forgive me if I usurped all your time with tales of far-off adventure.”

  Theiandar looked to Caityn. “We must ensure no such usurpation gains a foothold here.” Before he even finished the sentence, he was bent low over Caityn’s hand. “I’m jealous, Princess. My wish is for all your smiles and laughter to belong only to me.”

  “I’m sorry to say, but that is a selfish desire and one I certainly couldn’t commit to, my lord. How dismal and dreary to horde joy all to oneself. It would surely spoil.”

  “Ah, then I count myself fortunate you are willing to give me even a little of your smiles and laughter.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Though only because you own my heart.”

  Theiandar couldn’t tear his gaze away from Caityn. He was as drawn to her as a moth to flame, no matter how silly that sounded. Her presence in a room was like the warmth from a fire; she carried a comfort and peace in her spirit that continued unmatched in all his travels across Twelve Realms.

  In his contemplation of being near to her, Adair was forgotten, but his cheerful voice broke through Theiandar’s distraction.

  “Keep your whispering together for after the wedding and in private. Didn’t your mothers tell you? It is rude to whisper secrets in front of people.”

  Theiandar grinned and slapped his friend on the shoulder. “I’m happy to yell from the rooftops what I told this lovely lady. I only thought I’d save your poor ears from this lovesick man’s ardor.”

  Theiandar shot Caityn a smile as Adair rolled his eyes just like she was wont to do. Nothing outside the contentment of this moment mattered. All Theiandar could think about was that in two days, just two days, this beautiful girl—no, woman—would be his bride and, forever, his wife.

  No man deserves such a gift, he thought. But I’ll do my best to love and protect her like I do the Twelve Realms. No. More. I would give everything for both, but without her . . . I can’t imagine my life without her.

  He was surprised back to the present when Caityn boldly took his hand. “Is everything well, Theian? You seem to be a thousand miles away. Where has your mind wandered?”

  Intoxicated by the amused sparkle in her eyes, Theiandar stared at her, memorizing every part of her perfect face. “Not far, really. In fact, my mind was right here, with you.” He touched the nearly invisible lines at the corner of her mouth, the ones that would one day deepen to forever reveal how easy her smile came. “Actually, it was here.” He took her hand and rested it over his heart, having completely forgotten they weren’t alone. “You are here. I can’t get you out . . . not that I would ever want to.” A lump formed in his throat where new and still unfamiliar emotions rose. “I love you, Cait. In all honesty, I’m impatient for you to be my wife.”

  * * *

  Adair was forgotten yet again, and as much as he loved these two, he must have known he was not wanted in this moment. With the same stealth in which he’d arrived, he took his leave. Neither Caityn nor Theiandar could have known how their obvious adoration for each other left him longing to have a love like theirs for himself.

  Chapter 3

  Eliya on the Way

  “Keegan, get my horse! Honestly, you are the slowest groom in the entirety of the kingdom,” Eliya snapped. “Everyone else is already astride.” I’m sick to death of traveling this road. “At this rate, we’ll never arrive at all.”

  High Queen Zoe cantered up to where Princess Eliya waited to mount her horse and frowned. “Eliya, I realize you are tired and sore from the last few days of travel, just as the rest of us, but the way you treated that poor groom was unkind. He is doing his job and the job of another man who only yesterday took ill.”

  Eliya grimaced and bowed her head to stare contritely at her boots. She hadn’t suspected her grumbling had been loud enough to get her mother’s attention. Eliya knew she’d done wrong, but she experienced difficulty mustering up any real remorse. It was regretful her mother witnessed the episode at all and meant Eliya would have to apologize immediately in order to satisfy her mother’s acute sense of right and wrong. Realizing this, she gave a curt nod without looking up.

  It would do her no good to postpone the apology, either, since her mother sat by, waiting to witness the expected exchange. When her attending groom approached the gentle mare to fit the saddle in place, Eliya squared her shoulders and did her best to look regretful in the midst of a contrived apology.

  “Keegan, please do forgive me for my curt and rude behavior. I was unduly harsh and was not aware you are currently performing the work of two men.”

  Keegan bowed low and replied, “Oh no, milady. I am sorry I don’t move more quick, seein’ as I would do anything to please Your Highness.” He bowed again and with her slight nod of acknowledgment, he returned to saddling the mare.

  Eliya turned away so he c
ouldn’t see her and let out an exasperated breath, but she looked up at Queen Zoe with a trace of a smile. She took her mother’s outstretched hand.

  “Thank you, Eliya, for doing what I asked. I know you did not care to do so.”

  “Oh, Mother, you know me well.” And that was the truth. She was already feeling better for having said it, even though she didn’t mean it like she should have. “I find it strange how asking forgiveness seemed to lighten my whole being.”

  “My sweet girl, you find the wisdom in each lesson I set before you. It is hard to ask forgiveness, but it is worth it when we’ve wronged someone.”

  She beamed at her mother’s praise, and within a short amount of time, Keegan helped her mount her horse. High King Dante’s entourage was ready to move toward the home of King Othniel of Taisce . . . and her brother’s impending doom. Or marriage, if one wanted to call it that, which she did not.

  Eliya hadn’t come to terms with the fact that soon she would have to share her only brother with this girl she’d never met. It was hard to swallow the idea, because she always thought of herself as his favorite girl in all the world. Her relief at meeting her mother’s expectations minutes before petered out as she mused, of course maybe he’ll still love me better. She could be a regular shrew. Maybe things won’t change with a marriage.

  Then again, her mother had told her of what a marriage was supposed to look like. Her own example from her parents’ marriage was also enough to cause doubt. Unfortunate in this regard, Eliya’s chances of staying top girl in Theiandar’s affections were slim. After all, he grew up with the same parents. It was obvious he would have the same subtle knowledge imbued. They rode through the shadowy forest, and her hopes dimmed once again.

  Hours later, the group stopped for the noon meal, and Princess Eliya slid off her horse with more bounce in her step than at the outset of the day. Even though she ached in places she didn’t know existed, it was refreshing to be out in the countryside.

  Her home at High Castle and the city surrounding it sprawled across the gently rolling countryside with the castle situated on the tallest hill next to Solfen River. The thick stone walls around the city sometimes made it feel like a prison in a mundane land.

  But this place, Taisce, had true majesty. Eliya pushed away the thought that Theiandar’s bride lived here among this beauty. The land’s backdrop consisted of blue-gray mountains looming as though they were giants at rest, covered in blankets of soft clouds and snow. The view to the north captivated Eliya as soon as they cleared the forest. And here, the air felt fresh and cool.

  Eliya handed her reins to Keegan and walked a short distance away from the group, certain she would hear those great peaks, those giants in repose, speaking to her if only she could get far enough from the sounds of the people and animals. She closed her eyes and felt the soft breeze roll over her neck and cheeks. The wisps of wind pulled at her raven hair and tickled her forehead.

  Listening intently, Eliya caught the sound of a creek. She opened her eyes and looked back to see everyone busy. There was no point bothering anyone.

  She could tell the sound was not far and headed through the tall grass toward a copse of birch trees. The sound of gurgling water grew louder. Eliya took cautious steps through the brush as it became thicker and the ground more uneven. When she reached the water’s edge, she froze, thinking she saw or heard something on the other side. Nothing seemed to move except the grass in the breeze. Eliya relaxed and looked closer but still saw nothing. After a moment, her eyes traveled back down to the bubbling brook, making its way lazily through the stand of trees.

  She bent down to touch the water, but before her fingers skimmed the cool, wet rocks at the edge, a hand shot out and grabbed her arm. Eliya’s breath caught in her throat as she staggered back.

  “My lady.” His voice was a soft, deep rumble, sending shivers down her spine. “You shouldn’t wander from the group.”

  Quelling the rush of fear with a quick rise of embarrassed anger, she didn’t answer right away but looked down at his hand still wrapped around her upper arm.

  In an abrupt manner, he dropped his hold and bowed his head briefly. “Apologies, my lady, but while this is part of Twelve Realms, it is one of the more dangerous. You shouldn’t go about unattended.”

  Pride smarting and heart still racing, she forced herself to ignore the intensity of his deep blue eyes where she was certain reproach lingered. Instead she stood a little taller and wiped nonexistent dirt from her skirts, her chin raising a fraction beyond the necessary.

  “I can take care of myself, thank you very much. You certainly didn’t need to accost me to prove how dangerous it is here.” A quick survey of the area around the creek revealed nothing, except to prove to her that they were alone. “I was fine until you showed up. What’s your name? I recognize you from my brother’s guard, but I don’t know you.”

  He averted his gaze in the most curious way, but it renewed her confidence. She stared at his downturned face and could see the color rising in his cheeks, which could only mean she must have embarrassed him. Good. Serves him right.

  He looked up and stared straight into her eyes without batting a lash. Confusion and something else fluttered in her gut. Being the high princess of Twelve Realms meant no one ever dared look her in the eye for long. Eliya self-consciously touched her hair before frustration at her confusion set in.

  “Out with it. Sir . . . ? What? What’s your name?” The way he kept staring unnerved her. “You know, I should have you punished for unduly grabbing me.” Eliya raised her eyebrows with mock severity. She hated how his gaze rattled and flattered her. Pouting a little to cover her curiosity, she said, “You’re fortunate I’m only curious.”

  “I . . . I’m Gavin of Taisce, Your Highness. I apologize for causing you any distress. I truly was entirely worried for your safety.”

  Eliya cleared her throat and crossed her arms over her chest, allowing satisfaction at feeling she’d won the word battle to ease her awkwardness. “Well, Gavin of Taisce, you are forgiven, although if it happens again I may have to enlist the help of my handy dagger.”

  Sir Gavin laughed, and it confused Eliya more, seeing how he didn’t even know her and yet he’d caught on to her puckish humor, not taking offense at her comment. The thought of further banter was cut short when Sir Gavin’s head whipped left to scrutinize the bushes on the other side of the brook.

  Some protective instinct must have overcome him as he stepped around Eliya and scanned the distant terrain. Eliya sensed the change in him and stood still, looking out into the woods. After a time, Gavin spoke in a low voice. “Please walk straight back to the camp, my lady. I am right behind you.”

  Eliya, caught up in the serious timbre of his voice, didn’t hesitate to obey. All embarrassment and amusement vanished, and without a second thought, she flitted out of the copse of trees and across the grassy plain. The questioning look on her father’s face didn’t go unnoticed when she arrived at the camp, breathless and a bit disheveled. He made no inquiry of her whereabouts, and for that she was grateful.

  While Keegan fetched her horse, Eliya watched for Sir Gavin’s return with a tight feeling in the pit of her stomach. It was some minutes later when he finally appeared and went straight to High King Dante’s general. Relieved he appeared none-the-worse, she began to question the eerie sense of danger she’d felt at the creek.

  She watched Gavin as he and the other men stood with heads together in serious conversation, but Eliya couldn’t hear a word of it. Shortly after the brief conference, they were all loaded and on their way, with Eliya anticipating a good night’s rest ahead, safely behind the castle walls.

  Chapter 4

  Family

  Caityn waited at the top of the keep’s entrance stairs with her parents and Theiandar. The lookouts had reported sighting the high prince’s family on the road to the castle, which meant the time to greet her soon-to-be new family had arrived. Caityn’s stomach felt tied in knots,
and she clasped her hands in front to quell the nerves. Theiandar reached out, taking her hand in his to give it a gentle squeeze.

  “Don’t worry, Cait. My family won’t eat you alive. Besides, you’ve met my father, and he has to be the most intimidating and impressive one of the bunch.”

  She looked up at him, doing her best to hide the tumult of emotions coursing through her veins. “I’m sure you’re right, but I can’t help being nervous. What if your mother disapproves of me? What if your sister and I don’t become friends? There are only two years between us, and we’ll be living in the same castle. I . . . I don’t know how I’ll handle it if your family dislikes me.”

  Theiandar’s good-natured laugh echoed off the castle wall as he placed his arm protectively around her shoulders.

  “You have nothing to worry about then, because they will love you as I love you.”

  Caityn forced a smile, timid though it was, and stayed silent as her gaze returned to the tops of the buildings opposite them. She knew Theiandar meant well, but the disquiet persisted, while her vision clouded over with nervous anticipation for the imminent arrival of the high king and queen of Twelve Realms.

  They did not have long to wait. The caravan cantered up the hill toward the keep within minutes of Theiandar’s reassurances. The first through the gate was the high king’s general with Caityn’s cousin and dear friend, Gavin, by his side.

  Gavin was the son of her mother’s brother and a guard in the high king’s army. In fact, he had special placement in Theiandar’s royal guard, being specially chosen for this position because he was from Taisce. Each subkingdom had one son in the high king’s royal guard. While only eighteen, the same age as Caityn, he was given this honor because, through the rigorous exercises of the royal knighthood trials, he’d proved his strength was balanced by prudence and courage.