Page 95 of Torin and the Princess

“First, try to stop calling me that. I greatly prefer Mistress Lexi, and also try to explain what you claim is ‘true’.”

“When Prince Maximillian was a bairn, his father was killed in battle. I daena ken the full story, but Max was verra young at the time, his sister even younger. Their kingdom was lost. They were bundled away in the night and hidden in the past, so they wouldna be found by the new usurper of their throne. Max was brought tae Castle Glume, which is how we became known tae each other. His sister was given over tae another household, and he never saw her again.”

I blinked.

Cooper asked, “How old was she at the time?”

“I believe she was verra young.”

Cooper said, “Do you think she was a baby, or like three years old, or eight — what are we talking here?”

“I would guess, about three years auld.”

In my peripheral vision I saw Cooper glance at me.

I had to keep my voice steady. “What do you mean, ‘given over to another household’?”

“She was tae be raised by a landed baron, in a caput, a day’s ride from our castle. Max was too young tae visit her, but by keepin’ them separate they were protected from those who would be searchin’ for them. Max would receive news, and then one day he told me the messages had stopped and he dinna ken of her whereabouts or if she was safe.”

I gulped.

Jen asked, “Where did she go?”

“Max dinna ken. He couldna find her. He prayed she had been rescued by someone in his family and returned tae his kingdom, but he couldna find her and as the years passed he grew tae believe she was lost for good.”

Cooper said, “This still doesn’t explain why you think this person is Lexi. She knows who her parents are. She studies her family tree. I mean comeon,this is too ludicrous, even by Torin standards.”

Torin nodded, his eyes still averted.

I shook my head.

Then said, “Keep going.”

“Months ago, winter of 1558, a messenger approached Max, she told Max of the vessel that we needed tae procure, and how tae find his sister. It cost us blood and treasure tae get the vessel, but somehow I was the one holdin’ it… ye ken the story. I thought I needed tae get the vessel returned tae Max so he could use it tae find his sister, and believed that bein’ here on yerlands was a blunder. I dinna realize ye were the Princess we were looking for… and ye ken the rest of the story.”

Cooper said, “This sounds suspiciously like Torin doesn’t plan to leave, told you.” He shook his head. “Sorry, I joke when I’m faced with inanities.”

I just tried to breathe. My stomach hurt. Like I needed to throw up. I wrapped my arms around my middle, hugging myself.

Jen came closer and put her hand on my shoulder. “All of this is not true, Lexi, you know it. Your parents, may they rest in peace, can’t tell you, but maybe… I don’t know, you could call your uncle, talk to him, just tell him what’s going on, just get him to tell you some good stories about growing up.”

A tear slid down my face.

Torin asked, “Dost ye ken ye were a blood relation, or were they fosterin’ ye?”

Cooper said, “Welp, now I’ve had enough. This is effing not cool. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” He put his hand out, gesturing toward the door.

Torin raised his eyes to mine. “Dost ye want me tae go?”

I nodded, chewing my lip.

He bowed deeply. “Tis my fervent desire tae keep ye safe, Yer Highness. I will go on yer command, but I will remain close tae keep yer life protected. Tis my oath.” He followed Cooper down the hall to the front door.

I heard them conversing but couldn’t tell what they were saying.

34

LEXI

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