Page 119 of Arrows and Gems
Curious. Who in her party was he hiding the books from? And why?
“I must be rubbing off on you, Daphne dear,” the black-haired man said lightly. “It would appear we were late forwelcoming our regent home.”
Princess Daphne elbowed him. “Mother was right; youarea bad influence. Perhaps I should call off the wedding before it’s too late.”
He gestured toward the crate. “But your brothers—”
“These are mine either way,” the prince grinned, patting the box lightly. “You just had to admit your feelings for each other. It doesn’t matter if you don’t follow through.”
Helena eyed the box curiously, the faint memory of a conversation with Tucker rising to the surface. Something about a wager between brothers and Prince Raphael having to pay in books.
Was that what they were hiding? A clue to their brother’s whereabouts?
Lord Raoul rose smoothly and crossed to Helena. Scooping up her hand, he bowed deeply. “We have not had the pleasure, my lady. Based on this unhappy fact and your illustrious company, may I assume that you are Princess Helena?”
She snorted. “I’d heard you were a flirt, but I didn’t expect you to behave so in front of your fiancée.”
Princess Daphne sighed, but Prince Cedric hid a smile behind his hand. Lord Raoul simply winked. “This isn’t flirting. It’s called charm. And good manners when meeting a princess.”
“That does sound like their argument,” Helena replied, amusement tugging at the corners of her mouth. “And whether it makes you unworthy of the princess.”
“I didn’t realize Rafe’s opinion was so popular,” Lord Raoul returned with a friendly grin. “And all the way in Ralnor, no less!”
“You’re notorious,” Princess Daphne said primly. But there was a mischievous spark in her eyes. “Even our neighbors are discussing your scoundrelly ways.”
“Actually, I’d never heard of you until I came to Amitié,”Helena laughed. Her grin turned sly, widening when he pressed one hand over his heart and grimaced. “I first heard of you with news of your betrothal. Jean-haut and—”
She broke off, glancing over her shoulder to watch General Valentin enter behind Luther and her aunt and uncle. She didn’t want him to know Cap was familiar with the royal family and Lord Raoul. It might narrow down the outlaw’s identity.
“Jean-haut?” Princess Daphne echoed, her lips parting. “Jean-haut was with Le Capuchon?”
“He was,” General Valentin sighed. He placed a light hand on Helena’s lower back, steering her toward a dark blue settee. “He was among the men and women that I captured.”
The princess slid forward a little. “Then he’s—”
“I’m afraid one of his compatriots helped him escape.” The General cut her off with another heavy sigh. “He has surely rejoined his master by now, but he won’t be able to cause as much harm. My men sealed his magic with some Castellian cuffs before we lost him.”
The princess seemed dismayed by this news. Lord Raoul, who had been frowning at Helena and General Valentin, wrinkled his forehead and turned back to the Amitian royals. “Jean-haut has magic? But he’s—” A strange look crossed his face as he blinked a few times. “Thatwouldexplain a few strange incidents from when we were children.”
“I was surprised to find him among the prisoners; I had been told he was still attending his duties as a forester.” The General shook his head sadly. “It is unfortunate that he convinced his friends to cover for him. Now I’ll have to discipline them as well.”
If not for Cap’s suspicion, Helena might have believed the sorrow was sincere. She’d felt the draw to trust the man next to her. AndifCap lied by pretending not to know Helena, he could have lied when he painted the General as untrustworthy.After all, not only was the General hunting Cap, he was the sole witness against the prince that Cap wanted to crown. Capwouldwant the Ralnoran princess to view General Valentin as the enemy.
But Marielle had promised to keep her secret. And Aunt Chloe had obscured her support for the crown prince.
CHAPTER 42
Cap
Between Cap’s less-hardy group and the escapees’ injuries, it was two days before Cap and Rouge intercepted their friends. Cap was relieved to see Jean-haut at their head, but the forester’s news tempered his pleasure.
“You just left her?” Cap verified, incredulous. “Even with the guards chasing her?”
“What was I supposed to do, Cap?” his friend snapped. “Charge into the road, shouting and waving so that they could have us both? I have no weapons. Not even my magic!”
Turning away, Cap brought a hand to his arrows’ fletching. “No, of course not.”
“It’s possible she escaped. She said—ouch!” Jean-haut jerked away from his sister. “The cuffs don’t come off just because you tug harder.”
