Briar Rose (41 page)

‘Bragging rights, huh? Even if they think I’m a slut?’

His eyes went flinty. ‘Anyone says that and they’re eating my fist.’

All her life Briar had hunted for her prince, the guy with the nifty castle and the fancy horse who’d carry her away from boring little Bliss, Georgia. Though he did own a really fine
horse, Joshua Quinn had no castle, no title, no jewels or money to speak of. He was just an ordinary boy who did extraordinary things.

That’s enough for me.

Pat looked over at the girl sitting next to him. Reena’s dense black curls lay softly across her shoulders. She had a scrape on her arm and her clothes were dirty. To
him, she looked great.

He didn’t know when it’d happened, but he had a thing for Reena Hill, the sassy girl who never cut him any slack. She wasn’t in awe of him for who he was or how much money his
family had. She wasn’t a sports groupie. Her respect for him had been for what he’d done for others, not for what he could do for her.

But, more than that, she’d risked her life to save him, hadn’t left him behind to be eaten by those evil things in the well. That had touched him in a way he hadn’t thought
possible.

Since they were both hungry, he’d managed to secure a small feast: fresh bread, cheese and some fruit. There’d been little talking as they ate, ravenous as they were. Every now and
then someone would walk by and stare openly at Reena.

‘I feel like I’m in a glass cage,’ she murmured.

‘They’re not used to seeing such a pretty girl,’ he countered.

Did I just say that?

Reena must have thought the same thing as she gave him a look that said she wasn’t sure if he was BSing her.

‘Honest. You are smokin’, at least when you’re not giving me hell,’ he said.

‘Nothing you didn’t deserve,’ she retorted.

‘True, but, right now, I’m golden. I killed some bad guys, scored myself some food and a pretty wench. Doesn’t get much better than that.’

‘Wench?’ Reena nailed him on the arm with a mock punch, but returned the grin, which told him she hadn’t taken it personally.

Pat scored a piece of roasted meat from a serving lad and presented it to her with a bow.

‘You make a great servant, you know that?’ she teased.

The good vibes faded away. ‘God, don’t ever say that in front of my father.’

‘Your old man really brings you down, doesn’t he?’ she asked.

‘Yeah. He’s good at that. If we start hanging together, you’ll have to meet him and my mom.’

She choked on the cheese and he thumped her back until she waved her arm to indicate she was OK.

‘If you’re fine with that, I mean,’ he added.

‘Your dad is
not
going to like me,’ Reena said, running a hand up and down her body. ‘I’m not his
type
, if you get my meaning.’

‘Because you’re black?’ he joked. ‘Well, I don’t care. Feel free to get in his face. You killed a bunch of mechanical wolves and wounded the regent. You can stand
up to my old man, no sweat.’

The light in her eyes dimmed.

‘Hey, what happened? You’re not smiling any more. What did I say?’ Pat said as he jostled her elbow.

‘Why are you interested in me?’

His brows lowered. ‘You know, that’s a good question. I’ve been trying to figure that out myself. I think it’s because you’re not trying to impress me just because
my family has money. You’re . . . real, you know?’

‘So you’re not using me to get back at your folks because I’m black?’

‘What? Hell, no.’ But she’d read him right, at least in the past. ‘I used to do that kind of thing, try to shock them, but not now. It’s not worth the hassle
because my folks never got it anyway. And it always hurt whoever I was with at the time.’

He tried not to hold his breath while she thought that through. ‘Look, if you’re not good meeting the parentals, then we don’t have to do that.’

‘No, I’m OK with it now I know where you stand. I just didn’t want to get . . . hurt again,’ she said, quieter now.

He gently touched one of her curls. ‘I don’t either.’

Reena drew a deep breath. ‘It goes both ways – you’ll have to meet my folks too and, trust me, they’ll grill you within an inch of your life.’

‘Since I’m not into ripping off cars I should be fine.’ Then he realized there might another issue. ‘Are they going to have a hassle about me being . . .
white?’

‘No. They just don’t like jerks.’

‘No sweat, then,’ he said. Pat offered her another piece of cheese and then stole it back the moment her lips came close to it. He kissed her cheek instead.

‘You dog!’ she said, laughing. Then she leaned in to kiss him again.

He put his arm round her and she laid her head on his shoulder as the celebrations continued around them.

So much had changed while he’d been here, in ways he’d never anticipated. He’d found something inside of himself he liked, a strength that didn’t come from his father or
his family name. It was something he could claim as his, alone.

Let’s hope it’s still there once we get home.

As she’d hoped, Briar found Ruric in the stable, curry-combing the mare who had been reclaimed from the reeve. She looked in good shape, her coat glossy and not in need
of care: Ruric was just finding things to do to keep himself from brooding about Aurora. It wasn’t working.

His face harboured a thundercloud and his movements were so abrupt that he was spooking the horse.

‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll be out of here soon enough. No one will miss us.’

‘I will, cousin,’ Briar said, leaning in the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest.

‘You’re about the only one,’ Ruric replied without turning round.

‘You’re giving up too easily,’ she said. ‘I didn’t expect that from you.’

He did turn this time, and his expression made her wonder if she’d gone too far.

‘I have been informed I am not needed. It is
her
kingdom, after all. She’ll learn her lessons soon enough.’

‘With scheming courtiers or some loser of a prince?’

‘Just so. Those kinds are only interested in feathering their own nests. If she does not do what they wish, a slip of poison in her wine or a push down the stairs will solve their problem.
They are just as dangerous as the regent, only more subtle.’

He wouldn’t be so worried if he didn’t care.

‘Aurora’s worth fighting for. She’s not as stuck up as you think.’

The prince snorted. ‘You are just grateful she saved your life.’

‘Yes, I am. But she’s still worth it.’

‘No. I journeyed to this village to claim a wife and a kingdom, and found myself fighting a tyrant. Now everything feels wrong somehow. I blame you for that, all that nonsense about
marrying for love,’ he said, picking up the closest hoof and examining it critically. He apparently discovered something he didn’t like as he began to dig at it with a hoof pick.

Briar sank on to a milking stool. ‘I was right, you know. You shouldn’t marry someone for duty or to please your parents.’

‘That only works for those who do not have noble blood in their veins.’

‘Don’t give me that,’ she retorted. ‘You royals are in charge of everything, so change the rules. If peasants can marry for love, so can you.’

‘This conversation is a waste of time,’ he growled. ‘The princess has no interest in me, and so I shall not plague her with my attentions.’

‘You really like her, don’t you?’

He let loose the hoof and straightened up. A deep sigh came next.

‘I admit I admire her. Who may fathom how horrific those nightmares were as she slept, yet she survived them. She appears intelligent and is very pretty. She would make someone a fine
wife.’ He groaned. ‘God’s blood, you are right – I am smitten good and proper, and it has nothing to do with her throne.’

Briar kept the grin to herself. Placing her elbows on her knees, she leaned her chin on a palm. When she noted that Ruric’s attention was now on her legs, she pulled the cloak around to
cover them.

‘What is it with you boys? You’ll take on an ogress or a pack of wolves all by yourself, but if you like a girl you get all stupid.’

Ruric frowned in her direction, but didn’t dispute the point.

‘Just tell her you like her.’

‘No, that will seem self-serving,’ he said. ‘She knows I came here to claim a kingdom through marriage. I
do
have my pride.’

‘So what? You both know where you stand. It’s what you do after this moment that counts.’

Ruric’s face grew troubled, as if he foresaw a loss he could not bear. ‘Do you believe she will even listen to me, or will she just order me thrown out of the kingdom like some
troublesome beggar?’

‘Only one way to find out.’
No guts, no glory.

He took a deep breath then sighed. ‘I shall try, then. My pride demands that I leave, but my heart says . . .’

‘That love might be yours.’

He gave a soft smile. ‘And what of you, cousin? Have you found your true love now?’

‘Yes, I think I have. Joshua is . . . everything I ever wanted.’

‘Has he a kingdom?’ Ruric joked.

‘No, but that doesn’t matter. When I’m with him, I feel that I can fly. He makes me so happy. I can’t imagine losing that, you know?’

‘Ah, I seem to suffer from a similar affliction when it comes to Aurora,’ he admitted. ‘I had no idea such an emotion could strike me down so quickly.’

‘Told you.’ She rose. ‘I have to go home now. I can’t stay here.’

They embraced and he placed a chaste kiss on her cheek.

‘Be well, Briar Rose,’ Ruric said, his dark eyes sad. ‘You are a marvel. I have learned much under your tutelage.’

‘As I have with you, Prince Ruric, son of whomever it was.’

He laughed, then quickly sobered. ‘I shall miss you very much.’

‘Same here. You’re now my most favourite cousin
ever
.’

With one last look at her fairy-tale prince, Briar exited the stable, melancholy. It would be hard to leave him behind, he was so real to her.

She’d only gone a few paces to find Aurora waiting a short distance away. Two guards loitered behind her at a respectful distance.

‘You heard all that?’ Briar said softly as she drew near.

The princess nodded.

‘Ruric’s right – you are smart, but you’re going to need help, at least in the beginning. I know that scares you, but it’s for the best.’

‘I am truly my father’s daughter. I am stubborn, and I often say words I regret. He always said I did not need to know how to command men or negotiate treaties.’

‘Parents can be wrong. Trust me on this. Mine have been.’

Aurora inclined her head towards the stable. ‘You truly believe Prince Ruric is a good and honourable man?’

‘Yes,’ Briar replied earnestly. ‘When I first came here, he could have turned over to the regent, but he didn’t. He kept me safe, even though it nearly cost him his life.
He is a man worth caring for.’

There were noises from inside the stable now.

‘He is brave,’ Aurora admitted, a shy smile in place. ‘He is also quite handsome.’

Briar waggled an eyebrow. ‘That never hurts when it comes to princes.’

‘Then I shall trust your intuition, Briar Rose. I pray you are not wrong.’

‘Just live your own story, not someone else’s. I made that mistake. I won’t ever do it again.’

‘Thank you. You are welcome to visit again, if you wish.’

‘I will remember that,’ Briar said politely.
But I won’t be
back.

Aurora flowed past her and came to a halt just outside the stable doors.

She cleared her throat. ‘Prince Ruric, I hear you are departing my realm.’

‘I was told I was no longer needed,’ he responded from within, his tone chilly.

Briar crossed her fingers.
Come on, go for it, you two!

‘What do you know of King Taltin?’ Aurora asked. ‘Is he an honest man or a craven one?’

There was a pause before Ruric answered. ‘The old king was a good soul. His son, the current ruler, is . . . vile. Why do you ask?’

‘Word of the regent’s death will spread quickly. I suspect that Taltin will be sending emissaries to my court very soon. What will they say to me?’

‘Nothing but lies. Taltin wishes this kingdom as his own, so he will propose a hasty marriage.’

‘Is he worthy?’

‘Hardly,’ Ruric said, his voice hardening. ‘He is a liar and a debaucher. You would do better to wed a venomous snake than that man.’

‘I see,’ the princess said pensively. ‘You know him well?’

‘I met him once. He tried to obtain my sister’s hand in marriage. My father sent him packing.’

After giving Briar a quick glance, the princess stepped further inside the stable.

‘Would you consider . . . remaining here until such time as I have rebuffed his offer, lest the viper feel the need to employ his fangs?’

There was a very long pause this time.

Say yes, you idiot!

‘I would be honoured to assist you in any way possible, my princess.’

‘I am pleased to hear that. Perhaps you would care to move your horse to the royal stables?’