Page 41 of Stolen Princess's Secret

‘I’ll clear my weekend,’ the other man offered dryly.

This was his king. ‘My apologies, Your Majesty. I was speaking to your sister.’

‘I think we shall just turn up at this inn of yours tomorrow afternoon and take it from there. It’ll add to the mystique. Ana says she’ll bring Sophia, Silas and Lor, and clothes for us all, and will inform your apprentices and the horse master.’

‘I appreciate it.’ What else could he say? He was being given far more leeway than he deserved.

‘Make her happy, Tomas. My sister deserves to be loved for exactly who she is. She’s a remarkable woman. A unique treasure. I don’t surrender her lightly.’

‘Noted.’

‘Several of my father’s old guard politicians are trying to tear her down because of the progress she represents, and they’ll come for you as well. No more flying under the radar. You’re going to be too close to the throne. They’ll shred your reputation and try to ruin whatever you attempt to build. You need to learn to play the power game.’

‘Not a problem.’

‘One last question. Do you love her?’

What was love? He was attracted to Claudia beyond measure. He wanted to spend time with her, laugh with her, fight with her, and be that person she turned to in the darkness. He wanted to see her cradling his children, teaching them the names of the stars and mountains nearby. He would die before he let any harm befall her. No matter how unruly his feelings, they were fixed on her.

‘I’m getting there,’ he muttered. ‘And, as you can imagine, it’s quite the trip.’

CHAPTER NINE

THE TAVERN WAS clean and rustic and Tomas had liked it well enough when he’d stayed there before. Innkeeper Bain met them at the door several hours after midnight, sparing a swift glance for the sleepy, silent Claudia and a longer one for the eagle as he led them up the stairs and along a dimly lit corridor to the room Tomas had stayed in before.

‘Fire’s lit and we made up a couple of perches for your birds after last time. Don’t know if they’re the sort you usually use—Caitlin and Balo put their heads together and came up with them. You’d have thought they were making a throne, the time and care they put into it.’ Pride laced his voice.

Tomas transferred Alhena to the tall, sturdy perch and removed the hood to let her survey her new surroundings. He’d put it back on soon enough, once he tethered her for the night. The bath pan below the perch was empty, but it was a nice touch.

‘You know, if it’s capital you need in order to bring in paid help in order to free Caitlin up so she can follow her dreams, I have it to spare. You’re never going to lose her completely. She loves you and she’s part of the fabric of this place. She could apprentice to me through the day, a four-day week even, I’d make that concession for her and for you, and she would return to you at night.’

‘Has she asked this of you?’

‘I asked her a general question about interviewing for an apprenticeship with me. She wouldn’t even consider it. Said you needed her more.’

‘Everyone has childhood dreams of becoming something fancy.’

‘That they do, Innkeeper.’ Claudia entered the conversation gently. ‘You must be so proud of your daughter for the answer she gave my fiancé. I know I would be. And a little bit sad about that answer too.’

The man didn’t seem to want to look at her. She had that effect on people sometimes, when she chose to cut straight to the heart of things.

‘There’s bread and cheese on the table, wine and water as well, and stew downstairs if you want it reheated. I wasn’t sure,’ he muttered.

Claudia shook her head, so Tomas answered for them both. He was hungry but not that hungry. ‘Thank you, no. This is good.’

‘You’ll be wanting breakfast too, I suppose. Downstairs like before?’

‘Up here,’ said Claudia before Tomas could answer. ‘Please.’

The innkeeper nodded and headed for the door. ‘Think that’s all.’

There was one other thing. ‘We want to get married tomorrow,’ Tomas told him. ‘Are you available to perform the service?’

The grizzled older man turned back towards them but barely raised a brow. ‘I need two weeks’ notice to get the paperwork in order. It’s the law.’

‘The paperwork will be waived.’

‘Never heard of that happening.’

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