Chapter 16: Chapter 16

I need a drink.

Tarren and Apollo stare at each other, the tension so thick you could almost feel the intense vibrations.

Apollo shifts as he grins, looking at my hand on Tarren’s arm then up at me. “Ursula, is it?”

I take a steady breath. “Yes, Your Grace. Princess Ursula.” I smile as fake as I can.

“Forgive me for being so informal,” he says politely, but his eyes are hard as steel. The man is beyond furious. I can see the dark depths of his gaze pinning me with needles. “~Princess~ Ursula.”

Tarren places his hand over mine and glances at me. “I must say, that gown you are wearing makes you look more like a goddess than a mere princess.”

I smile at him like it is the cleverest compliment I have ever heard. “I don’t know about that,” I murmur. “You flatter me.”

Barf. I sound so fake even to my ears that I must tone down the smiling. “Lord Tar—”

“Please call me Tarren.”

I ignore Apollo’s slight eye roll and tilt my head beautifully. “Tarren,” I say with vigor, “would you like to dance?”

He places his hand on his heart and chuckles at Apollo. “Beautiful and ~brave~?” He glances at me and leans in. “Let’s let Apollo and his lovely fiancé have alone time up here,” he says.

He nods to Laura, who is glaring at her champagne glass some feet away. Her rose-colored gown almost resembles a wilting flower with her sour demeanor.

I don’t blame her. Apollo seems on a different agenda tonight than impressing his lonely fiancé. A woman ignored is worse than a starving, raging beast.

I just made that up. Words of wisdom by Viola, a.k.a. Princess Ursula.

Apollo makes a sound, reaches out, and grabs my arm, startling me. Apollo looks down at his hand on my wrist, almost as shocked as I am.

“Tarren is the worst dancer on this half of the fucking planet.” He shoots Tarren a murderous glance. “Allow me to take you. It’s the least I can do after what happened.”

Tarren clicks his tongue. “Such foul language in front of the Princess of Galleon.”

Apollo’s black gaze seems to flicker unnaturally. “Careful, cousin,” he hisses. “Watch out. She will chew you up and spit you out.”

And with that loaded statement, he turns to leave, leaving a cold chill in his wake.

I don’t realize I am holding my breath until I let it out, my pulse hammering. I glance at Tarren’s intense expression. “What is he?” I blurt.

Tarren exhales and looks at me, and it seems like forever before he says, “Come with me.”

I’m sure I am breaking every good princess rule, but I follow him as curiosity overcomes me. He takes my hand and leads me out of the ballroom, through the royal gardens, and into the west wing of the castle.

“Where are we going?”

He looks back at me. “Just to the library.”

I frown.

Actually, I don’t think I have ever been to the royal library. As a slave, I was never permitted.

We walk through long, spacious hallways; the only sound I hear is the swishing of my extravagant skirts and my heels.

Finally, we walk into a three-story-high library, and I suck in a breath. Books as far as the eye can see, it seems like, and massive pillars accenting the brilliant architecture. This is a museum, not a library.

“Over here.” His voice echoes off the towering walls.

I follow, only to come face to face with a high wall full of massive portraits. They are amazing in detail and are clearly the family’s royal line on the display. “Oh wow,” I murmur.

Tarren nods. “This is the House of Garthorn royal family, and a few others.”

He points to a high picture of a man in a dark cloak with a sapphire crown in his hand. His eyes are a brilliant green and the long, snowy beard gives him a wizard’s appearance.

“Who is he?”

“He is the legend of Garthorn.”

I glance at him to expound.

Tarren takes a moment to stare at it. “He was the start of the rule of the Garthorn family centuries ago, a blessing and a curse.

“As legends have it, our Garthorn ancestor made a deal with a powerful warlock. Aloin Xadalf was said to be so powerful he could grant whatever the heart desired if you wanted it badly enough.

“So Hayden Garthorn, a mere peasant at the time, sought him out in the dark of the night. He pleaded with Xadalf to grant his family riches beyond imagination.

“He would do anything for this, and Xadalf saw his raw desire,” Tarren says, and glances at me.

“Is that true?”

“If it is,” he spreads his arms wide to showcase the castle, “it definitely worked, eh?

“But the legend also says that with this great gift came great responsibility—always a catch. Aloin Xadalf does nothing for free or without meaning.”

I swallow.

“Every firstborn will inherit the power of the beast, or so the legend states. Great power will run through the blood of this child and fester if not treated with care.

“Now, this power will either be a blessing or a curse to the chosen king, the next in line. The child must overcome such darkness to keep this,” he waves his hands around again, “alive.

“Once the beast inside is tamed, it will blossom into the great power only a king should possess.”

I glance back up to the picture and note the sly grin on Aloin’s face. “So you’re saying every king up here has had the curse?”

Tarren shrugs. “That would be a correct assessment, seeing how we are all still here.”

“And they all had to overcome the beast within?” I’m trying to understand.

“Well, yes. Once the born leader transforms himself in a positive light, I guess it breaks the curse for that generation.

“That is why every firstborn is carefully looked after with the utmost care. Teaching them right from wrong, preparing them to overcome the darkness. Our Garthorn heritage depends on it.”

~Beauty and the beast, anyone?~

“Interesting,” I murmur. “So Apollo is next in line.”

“Yes,” he says, and looks at me.

I take a breath. “And he is not doing so well, I take it?”

“No.”

I look at him, feeling almost panicked. Now I understand why this ~world~ is in the red on the Fairy Godmother charts.

“It’s not Apollo’s fault, per se. I believe over the generations the teachings have become lazy, forgetting what we were founded on and what could be at stake. Now the king is sick, and I fear Apollo is not ready.

“For a long time, this legend was kept a secret, but I’m afraid not any longer. Every kingdom knows what it means when Apollo finally creates an heir.

“The child will be powerful, just as Apollo is. The child can either be good or evil, and unfortunately, there are a lot of unsavory people who would love his seed.”

“They want his child,” I say to myself.

“Correct. That is why I nearly fell off my chair when I heard of the engagement. This is huge, and everyone knows it. His wife must be pure of heart, without evil intentions, or this will be the downfall of Garthorn.”

I see now why this engagement is a big deal. “That’s a lot to take in.”

He tilts his head at me. “I would have thought this was common knowledge by now. I’m actually shocked you have not heard of this. Usually slaves know everything, despite their position.”

~Yeah.~ It would have been nice if Pierce had filled me in on this little tidbit. Mort is probably wondering where the hell I’m at.

“We have to stop the engagement,” I say, and glance up at him.

He looks at me. “We do?”

I try to think fast. “I do not get good vibes from the Queen of Galleon.”

“Queen Irena?” he asks. “She has always been lovely with me, but I am not around enough to know for sure.”

“Just a hunch. I think it’s worth looking into. I mean, this is serious!” I might be panicking. I do not want a poor innocent child to be taken and created into a monster, especially not Apollo’s child.

The boy would probably have blond curly hair and golden skin like his father. Innocent. My heart clenches at the thought.

He chuckles. “Yes, I agree, but I do like the House of Galleon. They have always been righteous and fair. I’m surprised you would find your newfound family not to your liking.”

The dad’s great. Not his whore of a wife.

“My father seems like a great man, but it’s just his wife that I am wary of. I am usually a really good judge of character.”

Actually, that’s a lie. I am the worst judge of character. I would probably let a rapist into my house because he just ~needed~ to use the phone. After all, his car broke down.

I would probably ignore his flannel shirt and blood-stained jeans. Who am I to judge?

He nods and stares at me. “Well, good thing he is not marrying her but your stepsister.”

I bite my lip. “True, but you know Irena can have much influence.” I dislike Laura, but I do not think she is evil. She just wants to win Apollo.

Technically we are all on the same team, but I fear that Laura will not be bold enough to stand up to Irena. Laura should turn her own mother in as a fraud for the good of Fairy Godmother Inc.

But Laura is vain, and that would mean she would no longer be a princess. I need to find Ivy. She might have an idea who Queen Irena is sweet on, being a spy and all.

“So you see why I taunt Apollo.”

That pulled me out of my thoughts. “I don’t understand.”

“I am fine with Apollo marrying Laura if that’s what he wants. But I have a hunch that he feels something deeper for you,” he says, and reaches out to touch a silky black strand of my hair.

“You are quite an eye-catcher—mouthwatering, in fact. And, not to sound too forward, I would love a chance to win your heart if Apollo chooses Laura.”

I blush, not sure what to say.

“I am taunting Apollo into jealousy, hoping he will make the right decision in the end. Apollo is a very selfless person despite his privileged position.

“Hence marrying a woman he does not love for the better of the kingdom. Well, I’m assuming anyway. Apollo has always made sure my family was well taken care of, and for that, I owe him a debt.

“He will not let me repay him or say thank you simply. He takes care of his family, even extended, without any praise for it. So this is my silent way of saying thank you, even if he does not see it now.”

He sighs as his eyes travel over me. “He owes me a big one after this, though. I am showing him a little tough love, hoping in the end he will see what I was trying to accomplish.

“Apollo needs to change his heart to be free of the beast, and true love might just do that.”

I take a second to regain my thoughts. “You think he loves me?”

“I don’t know, but he is acting very out of character.” He glances back to the royal family on display. “Allow me to take you on a carriage ride tomorrow morning as if I’m courting you.”

“But you’re not.”

He wipes his hand down his face as he groans. “I wish I was, my lady. I wish I was. Like I said, if Apollo chooses wrong, please allow me a chance to win your heart for real.” He looks very serious.

I smile at him. “Of course.”

His handsome features brighten. “Perfect. Plan A: Make Apollo jealous beyond reason. Plan B: If all fails, you have me.”

I laugh, despite the conversation. “Agreed.”

We chuckle together like we are little kids.

“Cousin,” comes a booming voice.

We both tense.

I turn to see Apollo leaning against the entrance frame.

His shirt is unbuttoned at the neck, and his hair is tousled like he was running his hands through it like a mad man. To be frank, he looks drunk.

“Apollo!” Tarren shouts, and winks at me, looking a little nervous. “I was just leaving. I have an appointment. Do you think you can escort Princess Ursula back to the ballroom?”

Apollo tilts his head and chuckles. The sound is cold. “I’m sure I can manage that.”

“Great.” Tarren moves to leave. “Until tomorrow morning.” He bows and kisses my hand.

It feels like forever watching Tarren leave, each step an eternity. Now, I am here alone with Apollo, who is staring at me with an expression I can’t read but which still makes me shiver.

“You fancy him?” he asks suddenly.

I look down then back up. “That’s none of your concern.”

He pushes off the doorway and walks toward me, making me back up. My pulse jumps as I feel my back hit the wall behind me.

“Are you attempting to make me jealous?” he asks, stopping right in front of me.

“The thought never occurred to me. I find Tarren charming and handsome.” I raise my chin. I hope he can’t see the pulse beating against my neck.

Apollo glances away then back to me with a grin. “You’re joking?”

“No, and that’s rude that you think so.”

Apollo’s dark gaze lowers to my neck then to my cleavage. “Tarren would not know what to do with a woman like you.”

I laugh. “Oh really, and you do? You’re extremely arrogant.”

~Is it getting hot in here?~

“I would barely have to touch you to get you on fire,” he murmurs, his black gaze devouring my body.

I take a steady breath. “Are you just proving the fact that you have an enlarged ego?”

“You calling my bluff?”

I am already hot, and he has not even touched me yet.

No, I do not call his bluff.

I dart out of his reach, standing behind the large desk like a lunatic.

“What are you doing?” he asks with a frown.

“Keeping arm’s length between us.”

He chuckles like he knows why, and graces me with a look that would make any female with hormones faint. His messed-up hair and his beautiful golden skin exposed is making me lightheaded.

I just want to inhale his scent and kiss his smooth jawline. And maybe unbutton his shirt and kiss all the way down to his belt buckle and…

My cheeks are flushed.

~Get a grip.~

I shake my head. “You’re engaged, Apollo. We can’t be a thing when you’re promised to another, and you know that,” I say.

Am I out of breath? I can’t seem to get enough oxygen.

“I can do what I want,” he says, and walks toward me.

“I know nothing about you.”

He raises a brow and stands in front of the desk. “What would you like to know?”

“What’s your favorite color?”

Apollo tilts his head. “I want payment for your questions.”

I narrow my eyes.

“You must undo a button for every question.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“I don’t need to know your favorite color that bad,” I shoot back.

“I am going to get you out of your clothes anyway, so you may as well get some questions out of it. My favorite color is green.” He flicks his hand in my direction. “Unbutton or remove something.”

I laugh, never having seen a more arrogant male in my life. I think for a second and bite my lip. I will play for a short time—not enough to get myself into trouble.

Those are not famous last words.

I take a large pin from out of my hair, and the top half comes tumbling down my back. My hair is long, reaching to my butt. I have always been proud of it.

“I’ll take that,” he groans as his eyes seem to come to life, making me nervous. It’s like preparing fresh meat in front of a hungry lion. The way he is looking at me, I might as well be naked.

“Your turn.”

He smiles wide. “I’d love to play. What are you hiding still?”

I roll my eyes. “Try again.”

He leans up against a large leather sofa, and he thinks. “How far back can you remember from your life?”

I stop and ponder that. In my real life, my memories start late for some reason, maybe I had trauma? But my earliest memory is about six years old, and I do not know why.

I can’t remember my mother or anything to do with my youngest years. It’s probably not a big deal, but it does bother me that I cannot remember anything from when I was four or five.

“Angel?”

“Oh,” I laugh, “I can’t remember much, just my time being a slave. Maybe it will come back to me someday.”

“Maybe,” he says suspiciously.

“Take something off,” I order. This is probably—most likely—not a good idea, my brain warns. But I’m not listening at the moment. Please leave a message after the ~beeeeeep~.

Apollo stands up straight, and with one swift movement, he removes his dress shirt. He stands in a tight, black body-armor undergarment that hugs every ripple and bulge of his torso. I swallow.

He is insanely beautiful. Like, if GQ and Sports Illustrated had a magazine baby, he’d be their cover star.

He is grinning again. “Your turn, Angel.”

I lick my lips, my mouth dry. “What is your favorite childhood memory?”

His eyes widen. “Childhood memory?”

I grin. “Yes, Apollo. You were once a non-jaded little boy, weren’t you?”

He leans back against the couch, his muscles bulging as he crosses his arms.

“My mother became ill when I was about twelve or so. So my father and I set out on an epic journey to find the rare flower that only blossoms at the top of Mount Urnon. It was just us two, no guards.

“We camped under the open stars, cooked food by the fire, and he shared stories of our ancestors. It was the best adventure for a young lad to experience, something I have not thought of in a long while.”

He stares at his feet as if he is reliving the precious memory.

“How long?”

“It took us seven days, and my mother returned to her full health,” he says, and looks up at me. “Take off two things, my lady.”

“Two?!”

He smiles, and I can almost see the young boy he used to be. “You asked two questions.”

I huff, making him chuckle. If he weren’t so insanely sexy, I would tell him to go to hell, but seeing how I’m affected by my vain womanly parts, I will oblige. “I need help.”

Apollo jumps up and is behind me faster than I can process what I’m doing. I feel his fingers on the back of my neck, and I close my eyes.

I feel him unbutton one, then two.

“You are so beautiful, I can barely think when I’m around you,” he whispers into my skin. A part of me is unsure if I am mentally ready to hear Apollo speak this way. It messes me up.

“I feel like you have infected me with something that I cannot purge. As much as I try to fight it, I can’t. It’s driving me mad. I don’t even recognize myself.”

I swallow.

Is he being serious? Or just telling me what I want to hear?

“Cancel the engagement then.”

“Done.”

I whip around and back up, staring up at his handsome face. “Done?”

“Done.”

I take a breath. “You’re canceling the engagement?”

“I want you, and if that’s how I get you, then I will,” he admits, taking a step forward. “I’ll be damned if I let my cousin have what’s mine. I want to be selfish for once.”

“But I’m not yours.”

Should I pull a princess Jasmine? ~I am not a prize to be won!~

“Not yet, Angel, but you will be.”

A thrill shoots up my spine, and my skin ignites. Somehow, I can’t disagree with him, and my brain is doing a sexy tango right now with the image of Apollo. Should I trust him?

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me a third time?

He must be really hot, and it’s not your fault.

~There, there.~