The Last Witch (Incenaga Trilogy) (18 page)

Prince Weldon
rose from his chair at the end of the table and moved to pull out the chair nearest him. “Please, have a seat,” he said gesturing to the empty seat.

“Thank you.”

“Now, close your eyes, Emmeline.”

“Whatever for?”

“The servants will be bringing out our meal in a moment and they shouldn’t see your eyes right now.”

“Ah, yes.” Leaning her elbow on the table, Emmeline put her hand over her eyes as if she were shielding them from the sun.

“That isn’t enough, Emmeline. Close them.”

Emmeline snapped her eyes shut and Prince Weldon rang a bell. A chorus of sounds
swelled into the room. Shuffling feet, ringing crystal, clinking china. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until the aroma washed over her like a tempting wave.

“Does the lady need a remedy?”
a female voice asked.

“No,” Prince Weldon began. “She has a slight headache, but it’ll pass once she has something to eat.”

Emmeline scrunched her nose and ducked her head. She hated that her life was so surrounded in secrets and lies. She wondered, not for the first time, when the Crown Prince would return and free her from imprisonment, assuming that was his intention all along.

“You can open your eyes
now,” Prince Weldon said.

Emmelin
e straightened and her jaw dropped at the display. She couldn’t believe the amount of food brought in for just the two of them. Lobsters in beds of sliced lemons, roasted lamb and venison, heaping baskets of warm rolls, wild rice in hollowed out green peppers, steaming vegetables, and three different flavors of custard.

Prince Weldon
cut his food with precision and ate in silence, his brooding expression returned. Emmeline marveled at his ability to change moods so quickly. He looked rather dashing when he smiled, his light brown eyes warming his features. But now, with his furrowed brows and tight lips, he frightened her.

Her mind wandered to the
conversation she overheard in the kitchen and she wondered why the whisperers were so concerned for Prince Weldon’s return. Was it his changing moods that unnerved them? Prince Weldon had mentioned several times his disdain for weak men. Perhaps they were afraid of his reaction when he learned they had failed his orders.

Emmeline’s eyes widened
, her chest opening up to accept a quick intake of breath. Could Prince Weldon be involved? She looked up to find him staring at her. His expression had softened to a look of unmistakable tenderness.

“Are you alright, E
mmeline? Is there something you need?”

His voice
was gentle as he addressed her, his face showing genuine concern. She reproved herself for thinking that Prince Weldon could be involved with Mahlon. Mahlon was evil through and through.

“Can you tell me what you know about Mahlon?” she asked.

Prince Weldon’s eyebrows rose. “Yes, of course. Why do you ask?”

“It’s just that…
,” she paused to consider what it was she wanted to say.

“Yes?” he said, urging her to continue.

“The King seems to be a kind man, and I’ve heard the Crown Prince is as well, but Mahlon is…different.”

Prince Weldon's eyes narrowed. "How do you mean?"

Emmeline paused. Prince Weldon placed his hand over hers, giving her the courage she needed. "He has been harsh with me on a number of occasions,” she said.

“Has he harmed you?”

“Well,” she said, pausing again.

Prince Weldon tossed his fork onto the table and
stood. “I’m so sorry, Emmeline. I will make sure Mahlon keeps his distance from you.” He pushed his chair back to leave.

“Wait! I didn’t mean to upset you.”

His hands flexed at his sides. “How can I not be upset? He has distressed a future princess of Dolmerti!”

“Please, sit down.
I have another question, if you don’t mind.”

Prince Weldon
lowered himself to the chair. “Rest assured; I won’t forget to remind Mahlon whom he serves.”

“Thank you,
Your Highness.”

“Please, Emmeline, call me Weldon. I insist.”

“Very well then. Thank you, Weldon.”

Prince Weldon grinned and
picked up his fork with new enthusiasm. His face showed none of the stress from their conversation, and once again, Emmeline marveled at his ability to change moods so quickly.

“
What else did you want to ask?” he asked between mouthfuls.

“Do you know why the Crown Prince
hasn’t returned from his travels? It seems that he might want to become acquainted with me before our marriage.”

Shrugging, Prince Weldon wiped his mouth with a napkin
. “He regretted not being here to welcome you, but he was adamant that he attend to important business in Thortom. He left in such a hurry that a unit of soldiers couldn’t be prepared in time to escort him. Foolish, if you ask me.”

“What could be so urgent
that he had to leave without men?”

“
Nothing. But he sent word of his safe arrival. This isn’t uncommon for him, traveling to Thortom that is. We have extended family, cousins, uncles that have migrated to other cities in Dolmerti. They often seek his advice due to his high status in the family. When he cannot assist them by letters alone, he will pay them a visit.”

“He must have a great deal of love for his family.”

“Yes. Yes, he does.” Prince Weldon looked away and picked at his food, his enthusiasm for the meal gone once again.

“Did I say somethin
g to upset you?”

“No, not at all.
I’m not that hungry anymore.”

Despite his obvious change in temperament, h
e didn’t get up to leave as he had before. Instead, he waited for Emmeline to finish her meal.

“It sounds like the rai
n has dissipated,” he said. “Would you care to take a stroll through the gardens?”

“That
sounds lovely,” Emmeline said, her face brightening at the idea. “But are you sure I can leave the palace? Mahlon will be angry if he finds out and I’m already pushing my luck by being out of my room at this hour.”

“Don’t worry about Mahlon. I’ll handle him. Besides, i
t has been raining all day. There will be no one but the two of us out there. Trust me.”

Emmeline smiled. “Well in that case, lead the way.”

They wound down pebbled paths and through rows of manicured bushes. The fragrances of each blossom mingled with the smell of recent rain. A path took them under a canopy of ivy that had grown over an arched trellis. Emmeline’s steps lightened as she took in the flawless display.

Rain
began sprinkling around them and Prince Weldon took hold of Emmeline’s hand as he dashed toward a white gazebo nestled in the center of the garden. Lush vines climbed each post of the gazebo, winding their way to the top, and trailing down on the other side.

“Have you
enjoyed your time here?” Prince Weldon asked once they settled on a dry bench.

Emmeline recalled her time with Erick and couldn’t keep the small smile from escaping her lips. “
Yes,” she said. “I’ve found a few things that I like, and Adelia is easy to talk with, I suppose.”

“Do you find me easy to talk with?”

Emmeline paused. “Sometimes. I’m not always sure I know what you are thinking. Your moods seem to fluctuate quite a bit.”

Prince Weldon chuckled. “I’ve been told that before.” He stood and paced the floor of the gazebo.

“I guess what I meant to ask was, do you enjoy my company?”

“Yes
, of course, Weldon.”

He continued to pace, his boots pounding against the wood
en planks beneath him. His eyebrows furled together and his right hand reached up to rub his chin. More than once he stopped to look at her and then continued pacing. A look of desperation crept into his eyes.

Emmeline stood and placed a hand on his upper arm. “
What is the matter, Weldon?”

He stopped pacing and faced her.
“I can’t stop thinking about you, Emmeline.”

She pulled her hand away as if his arm had burned her.
“What do you mean?” She squeaked. Astonishment squeezed at her throat, preventing any other sound.

“My brother is a fool to leave you here. You are without a doubt the most exquisite creature I have ever seen
and he has left you to the wolves. Your intelligence and wit have captivated me and I’m certain that every man who looks upon you longs to hold you in his arms. And here you are, standing in front of me, and you can’t be mine. You will be his! He is a fool!”

Emmeline wanted
to back away but her feet were anchored to the gazebo floor, each leg weighing a thousand pounds. Her throat constricted further until she wasn’t sure any air was going in or out.

“Weldon, I don’t know what to say,” she squeaked again. “Whatever feelings you have for me
will change once I marry your—”

Weldon gripped both of her shoulders
, the pain cutting her off. His lips pressed together and then crashed down onto hers.

Emmeline reeled in shock. She tried to pull away but his grip tightened
. Her arms ached, her chest pounded, and she couldn’t seem to take a breath.

“Weldon!” she
said, pulling her head back. “You’re hurting me!”

Prince Weldon
relaxed his grip. “Forgive me, Emmeline.” He took a step back and shook his head. “I don’t know what has come over me. Please, excuse me.”

She nodded, not
trusting her voice to speak. Taking large strides, he left the shelter of the gazebo and jogged through the falling rain. Emmeline stood motionless, unsure of what had just occurred. How was it possible for him to have such strong feelings for her? He barely knew her. Emmeline shook her head. She couldn’t keep up with Weldon’s shifting moods. One minute he seemed disgusted by her, the next he was professing his love.

In a daze, Emmeline wrapped her arms around herself and waited for the rain to stop.
The weight of everything pressed down on her, driving her spirits to the breaking point. Her father in a prison, Mahlon demanding she kill the Crown Prince, a power she wasn’t sure how to keep from consuming her, an upcoming marriage to a man she didn’t know, and now this. Why did Prince Weldon have to kiss her!

Emmeline stepped
from the gazebo and glanced up at the churning clouds. With her head tilted back, she searched for a sign, for an answer to the demands and burdens placed upon her. If only it was all a bad dream that would disappear upon awakening. She didn’t think she had the strength or the courage to sort through everything in time.

Suddenly
aware of how alone she was, Emmeline picked up her skirts and dashed toward the palace. It was foolish of Prince Weldon to leave her alone where Mahlon could find her, or anyone else for that matter.

O
ut of breath, Emmeline stumbled into her chambers. She yearned for the peaceful retreat of her soft bed and the quiet of a still night. She would deal with everything in the morning.

“
My Lady!” Adelia exclaimed with her hands on her hips. “Have you been outside? You are all wet!”

“
Prince Weldon escorted me through the gardens. It began raining before we could return.”

“Oh! I’m surprised he took you outside.
Well, no matter. He’s quite a dashing prince, isn’t he? Did you enjoy your time with him?”

“For
the most part, yes. The garden was lovely and Prince Weldon was polite. At least, he was before it started to rain.”

“
And after the rain?”

“
We sought shelter under the gazebo and he proved his disposition as unpredictable as Dolmerti’s weather. Have you noticed his fluctuating moods? It’s exhausting.”

“
He has had to deal with a great deal of pressure since the Crown Prince has been away. Perhaps it is the strain you are seeing.”

“I suppose.
”

“What happened in the gazebo?”

“You won't believe it. In fact, I don't know that I believe it myself."

Adelia's eyes widened as she took an involuntary step closer to Emmeline
. "I'm listening.”

Emmeline fell
into the nearest chair. "He told me that he couldn’t stop thinking about me. He gripped my arms so tightly that I was afraid they would break. When I cried out, it was as if I had awakened him from a terrible dream. He said he was sorry and then left.”

“Where did he go?”

“To the palace, I presume. I waited until the rain settled a bit before coming in myself.”

Adelia’s eyes went wild. “He left you?
Alone? Outside?”

“Yes, as soon as I realized it, I hurried back in.”