“Elsie!” I shout. People crowd toward me. “Move,” I snarl, shoving them aside. I can catch her. Determination burns hot within my chest. My cock twitches, making its interest known.
Run, little princess. You won’t get away this time.
Elsie pauses on the stairway leading down to the walkway. One of her shoes has fallen off. She hesitates, reaching for it.
Then she glances up. Her bright eyes flare wide at the sight of me starting down the steps. She abandons the shoe and bolts.
I’ve lost count of the tolling bell. Damn, she’sfast. I stumble going down the steps and lose my balance, forcing me to slow down in a bid not to break my neck.
When I catch my balance, she’s gone.
I must look half-mad, screaming curse words into the darkness. There are literally hundreds of young women waiting for me to pluck one of them like a rose and make her my queen. I will have none of them.
Elsie is out there somewhere.
I’ll find her. Whatever it takes. However long it takes.
I trudge back to the castle, where Othmar and several other guards are gathered on the stone steps.
“There he is. Highness, come look. You’ll want to see this.”
Grumbling, I shove them aside and find them circled around…a shoe. The one Elsie abandoned when I came within inches of catching her on the stairs.
“Congratulations, Othmar, you apprehended a lady’s footwear.”
Upon closer inspection, it’s not just any shoe. Blue-tinged and sparkling, it shimmers with magic.
“Magic, innit,” one of the guards mutters.
I drop to one knee and pick it up. The shoe is cool to my touch, with the same fizzy sensation I felt when I touched Elsie.
“Don’t touch it, sir!” Othmar warns. Superstitious fool. Ignoring him, I rise, examining the only evidence I have that Elise exists.
Her foot is small. Not tiny, but elegantly shaped, with a high arch and narrow toes.
“This shoe is the key to finding my bride.”
12
ALISTAIR
“Not this again,”my father groans.
“She’s real. I’ll have her for my wife.”
“Son,” he wheezes. “I am dying. There is no time for distraction. Pick one of the girls who came to your ball last night. Or I will do it for you.”
“Ihavechosen one of the girls who attended the ball you arranged. According to your own rules, I am within my rights to select any worthy lady.”
“You don’t even know who she is!” He falls into a rough coughing spell before speaking again. “I can make your life a misery long after my death, Alistair. I will do it. I can curtail your power by enacting laws on my deathbed designed to thwart you. I will entail everything upon my grandson. You would rule in name only. Is that what you want?”
Another fit of coughing seizes him. Blood spatters the white square of cambric in his hand for just this purpose.
I do not want to rule as regent to a child who doesn’t yet exist, but I’m not above using the prospect of a baby to get what I want. Elsie. In my bed. At my side. Forever.
“She could be pregnant.” It’s the slimmest of possibilities. I wish for it with every fiber of my being. “Your grandchild could be growing in her right now. Imustfind her.”
“Pah.” He flicks the handkerchief at me. “Every sovereign has by-blows. Considering the way you and Sir Ironheart carried on for years, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve left dozens scattered around the countryside.”
