Love Spell: Book 2 of The Grimm Laws (16 page)

W
ith her flaxen
hair and aristocratic features, Queen Loreena was beautiful, but not as beautiful as Wisteria. She was graceful and intelligent, but not as graceful and intelligent as Wisteria. Everything Loreena was, everything she aspired to be paled in comparison to Wisteria. At least that’s the way Aalexander saw it. And as far as Loreena was concerned, Aalexander’s opinion was the only one that mattered. What did she care if she could command the servants of the castle with the slightest flick of her finger? Being the queen was a hollow victory if she couldn’t have the heart of the man she married—or rather the man she’d been forced to marry. Long ago, she had loved another and for one small breath of a moment, had experienced true happiness. She had been loved completely and absolutely, but what was love in comparison to duty? She was a princess, destined to marry a king. Her marriage to Aalexander had served to form a powerful alliance between her father’s kingdom and Aandover Peaks. There was a time when she thought she could forget her first love and give her heart to Aalexander. When she first saw him with his dashing good looks and roguish charm, he took her breath away. She naively thought that perhaps they could learn to love one another. It was after they were married that she learned the truth. Just as she had once loved another, so had Aalexander. While Loreena had been willing to pledge her loyalty and heart to Aalexander, he wasn’t willing to do the same. His heart belonged to another. Still she tried. She’d tried to be the wife Aalexander wanted, but the stench of Wisteria was always in the air, permeating everything around them. But that was about to change. Providing that things went according to plan, she would finally be rid of Wisteria, and then maybe she and Aalexander would finally have a chance to build something together.

“It shan’t be long now,” Seraphina said, patting her hand in what was supposed to be a comforting gesture, but the woman’s hands were so cold. Loreena had to fight the urge to recoil from Seraphina’s touch. Everything about her was cold and calculating, but she was serving her purpose, and for that, Loreena was willing to overlook Seraphina’s short failings. Normally, Loreena wouldn’t have given Seraphina so much as a passing glance, but she was Cinderella’s stepmother, and thus far, she’d been able to control the wretched girl.

When Edward first professed his love for Cinderella, Loreena was devastated, fearing that her son was throwing his legacy at the feet of a peasant girl. Then she learned of Cinderella’s connection with Rushton and Wisteria. The clouds parted, and fate smiled down on her, giving her a way to be rid of Wisteria forever. For years, it was rumored that Wisteria practiced magic, but no one could offer proof. When the potion was found on Rushton, Loreena knew it was the stroke of luck she had been waiting for. The plan was simple in its design, yet brilliant. And the best part of the whole thing was that she’d led Seraphina to believe that it was her idea.

Knowing that Seraphina would do anything to ensure that her stepdaughter became a princess, she simply led her to believe that Cinderella was under the influence of a masterful spell—a spell so powerful that she was powerless to resist Rushton. Loreena didn’t for one moment believe that Cinderella had acted under the influence of the spell. Cinderella was a foolish girl who let her heart overrule her good sense. Any fool could see that Cinderella’s attraction to Rushton had more to do with his rugged good looks and reckless behavior than some love spell. During his time spent in the castle, she had seen him turn more than a few heads. She’d heard the ladies of the court whispering about the gallant squire that was soon to be a knight to Edward. Well, not anymore. Pity he’d gotten tangled with Cinderella.

Excitement was building, and the people were getting anxious. The guards should have returned by now. Aalexander’s expression was growing more worried by the moment. It was late—too late for this large of a group to be gathered in the throne room. Normally, the Royal Council convened in the time span between the midday and sunset bells. It was only during times of war and under dire circumstances that the counsel convened in the evening. It gave Loreena a swell of pride to think that her fabrication had caused such a stir. Then again, everything surrounding Wisteria was important to Aalexander. A sneer marred her beautiful face. How she hated that woman!

“My queen, are you ill? Thy pallor is … um, you look awfully tired,” Seraphina amended.

Tired? That was one word for it. She could only imagine how she must’ve looked with that hateful expression on her face, but no one, especially not Seraphina, would dare say a word about it. Loreena offered a fleeting smile. “I am well, thank you.”

“They have been gone a long while,” Seraphina whispered. “Do you think they found her?”

“Aye, I am certain of it.”

A rustle went through the crowd, and every head turned to see.

“They have returned,” a voice announced.

Loreena sat up straight in her chair, relishing the next few moments that would come. She would look Wisteria in the eye, both of them knowing that Loreena had won.

“They are alone,” someone said.

The comment made a ripple effect through the crowd. Loreena craned her neck and peered out over the people to see what was happening.

“The guards returned without her,” Seraphina said.

“What?” Heat rushed to her face. Where was Wisteria?

The two guards walked side by side, down the long hall, and up the steps leading to the throne. Simultaneously, they bowed on one knee.

Aalexander lowered his scepter, giving them permission to speak.

“Your Highness, might we have a word with thee … alone?”

“Whatever ye have to say, ye may say in front of the council,” Loreena said, loudly enough to be heard by all.

The three royal council members looked surprised. They were required to attend all council sessions, but the truth was, they were little more than figureheads. Most of the time, they readily agreed with whatever Aalexander and Merek decided. They looked back and forth at each other and then at Aalexander whose jaw had turned to stone. Protocol dictated that Loreena was to speak only when addressed, but she was beyond caring about protocol at this point. Aalexander looked like he might contradict her until Merek touched him on the shoulder and gave him a slight nod. Loreena almost started laughing. The Great King Aalexander couldn’t blow his nose without first getting the approval of his trusted advisor. She often wondered who the real king was, Aalexander or Merek.

Aalexander sat up straight in his chair and focused his attention on the guards. “Seeing as how we have all gathered to address these serious charges so late in the evening, it behooves me to request thee to speak here and now for all to hear.”

A look passed between the guards, and the older one began speaking. “Unfortunately,” he nervously cleared his throat, “despite our best efforts, we were unable to arrest the Lady Wisteria Avalonia Porter de Florin.”

A murmur ran through the crowd.

“Explain yourselves … quickly.” Aalexander glowered at them.

“The Lady Wisteria threatened us.”

“Our families, your Lordship,” the younger guard added.

Aalexander’s face grew dark. “What could a single widow woman possibly do to my two strongest guards?” He balled a fist and raised it in the air. “I send thee on a simple errand and ye return empty handed?” His voice thundered through the cavernous room. Loreena felt a surge of pride. The energy in the room was shifting. No one dared to contradict Aalexander, not when he became angry. The guards would cower at his feet, begging for mercy. They would fetch Wisteria and drag her back by the hair of the head. “‘Tis late,” Aalexander said. “We are all weary and anxious to bring this ordeal to a close. Wisteria has been accused of practicing magic, and she must be brought here to stand trial. The Grimm Laws dictate that it be so, and even I, your King, am subject to the law. I therefore command thee to leave at once and bring her here. This time, I trust ye will not return empty handed.” There was a note of finality in his voice.

A collective sigh settled over the room, the group resigning themselves to a long night of waiting. Loreena was so certain that the guards would jump immediately to comply with Aalexander’s command that she was as surprised as anyone when she saw that they weren’t moving.

Aalexander addressed the older guard. “Caleb, was there something unclear about my orders?”

“Nay, your majesty. We heard thee loud and clear.”

They made no motion to move.

“Your majesty,” Caleb began. “I have followed thee into battle, never giving a thought to my own life. I have spent my life in thy service and have been glad to do so. If it is my life that you request, then I will gladly give it, but I will not …” his voice broke “… I cannot risk the life of my wife. That which you ask of us, we cannot do.”

Aalexander looked perplexed. He leaned back and rubbed his forehead. Time seemed to stop, and everyone in the room waited for him to speak. Merek leaned over and whispered something in his ear. A few more moments passed. He leaned forward. “I trust that you also speak for Lionel?”

“Aye, your grace,” the younger guard said. “We offer thee our complete allegiance, but we cannot do as you request.”

“So be it,” Aalexander growled, his eyes narrowing. He motioned. “Take them to the dungeon.”

Protests rippled through the crowd.

“Wait!” Caleb said.

Aalexander raised an eyebrow. “Reconsidering thy position?”

“Nay, your highness.” His voice sounded weary. “The path I must take is laid out for me and there can be no deviating from it. I must deliver a message to thee.”

“A message?”

“From The Lady Wisteria.”

“Oh, so The Lady Wisteria is giving out orders now, is she?” Shock sounded in his voice, but there was also something else too—awe. Loreena’s stomach churned.

“The Lady Wisteria has compelled me to tell thee that next time you seek her presence, you must come and get her yourself.”

Gasps erupted throughout the crowd, and Loreena thought she heard a few chuckles.

Aalexander came off of the throne, half standing. There was a wild look in his eyes. “She is going to answer to me! I will bring her here if it is the last thing I do. So help me, I will send out my entire army if I have to!”

The sound of rushing winds went through the hall, sending a shiver running down Loreena’s spine. “That will not be necessary, Aalexander!” All turned to see Wisteria, striding down the hall and up the steps to the throne. Her back straight and chin held high, she was wearing a crimson gown with a long, flowing cape. Her raven hair caught the flicker of the candles and shimmered like cascading water down her back. A single strand of black pearls adorned her neck. Even Loreena was forced to admit that she truly was magnificent.

She approached the throne, and Aalexander just stood there, gaping. He was at a complete loss of words.

Wisteria eyed the guards who were still kneeling. Neither of them dared to look her direction.

“Thy guards said you wanted to see me.”

Aalexander remained silent. Wisteria faced him, full on. They stood there, silently sizing up one another until Merek cleared his throat.

“Um …aye.” Aalexander motioned to the guards in question. “Return to thy posts.”

They looked at him in surprise as if they couldn’t believe they’d been pardoned. “Sire?” Caleb said. “Am I to understand that we’re …” he shifted “… um, that you want us to return to our duties?”

“Go, before I change my mind,” he barked.

This seemed to amuse Wisteria. She raised an eyebrow. “Growing softer in your older age, are you, Aalexander?”

Loreena clutched the arms of her chair.

“I understand that you have my son,” Wisteria said.

“I did not bring you here to discuss thy son. I brought thee here because—”

“Let us get one thing straight. You did not bring me here! I came of my own accord.” She glared at him, daring him to speak otherwise.

“Duly noted,” Aalexander said.

Loreena nearly choked. It was revolting to see how much control the woman had over him. Furious tears welled in her eyes.

“Wisteria Avalonia de Florin you have been accused of practicing magic—”

“Wisteria Avalonia
Porter
de Florin,” she corrected him.

He grew flustered. “Aye, you know your own name.”

“Aye, Aalexander, as do you.”

His face drained of color as he gripped the arms of his chair. “You will not get the better of me,” he uttered quietly. His voice grew in volume, filling the hall. “You have been charged with helping thy son cast a love spell over Cinderella. As you know, she is betrothed to The Crown Prince Edward. It has been written into The Grimm Laws and therefore cannot be changed. How do you answer these charges?”

Wisteria waved the comment away with a flick of her hand. “You and your silly laws. Always hiding behind them. Justice, equality, the law.” Her eyes, hot with fire, met his. “Is it a crime to love? Has it been so long that you have forgotten how to feel, Aalexander?”

He started blinking rapidly. Panic clouded his handsome features. Loreena cleared her throat in an attempt to break the hold that Wisteria had over him. It seemed to work. He looked in her direction—a man coming out of a daze. She gave him a quick smile. Wisteria must’ve felt the loss of control because she too looked at Loreena. The two women locked eyes. Finally, it was Loreena who was forced to look away.

“My son has done nothing wrong,” Wisteria said firmly. “Your majesty,” she gave him a slight, mocking bow. “It would seem that perhaps the problem lies not with Rushton but with Prince Edward and his inability to keep his fiancée satisfied.”

Loreena leapt from her chair. “How dare you make such false accusations! I could have thy head on a platter for that.” She motioned to the guards. “Enough of this! Take her to the dungeon, NOW!”

A ripple of shock raced through the crowd, and the members of the council began talking furiously amongst themselves.

Wisteria turned on her. “You would like that, wouldn’t you? But killing me won’t give you what you want. You will never have him … not really.”