Page 2 of Hooked

The stable master’s children gasped at my dramatic declaration.

“What did the pixie and the maiden do next?” Lindy asked.

“They had to go their separate ways. The pixie had other young girls who needed her help. But they will always be friends, even if they can’t be together.”

Lindy smiled in contentment, but Ansel crossed his arms, looking at me with his mouth screwed up to one side. “I thought these stories were supposed to have a prince that saves the girl.”

I laughed at his criticism. “Many do. Would you like me to tell you a story about a dashing hero next time?”

“Yes. And there should be swords,” he stated as a matter of fact. “Like Falstone,” he said, pointing toward the door of the stables. “He’s good with a sword.”

I looked over my shoulder and spotted Princess Marilee’s personal guard, Falstone, there in the doorway. The sun cut in behind him, throwing his shadow onto the packed dirt floor. He was observing quietly the way he always did, his gaze skimming over me the way it always did as he took in the stables, the grooms, the loft overhead.

I resisted the urge to sigh. Falstone would make a fine hero for my stories. He had never given me reason to doubt his motives because he’d never acknowledged me as anything other than a lady’s maid to Princess Marilee.

I remembered all too well my internal upheaval when Marilee was trying to choose which of her father’s guards to keep as her own. It had been disconcerting to have so many new people to deal with. New men. I had done my best to stand tall and not let my intimidation show, but it had been terrifying, especially when Falstone had seen me. Because he hadn’t just looked at me.

That first time we’d met, when he’d walked into the drawing room of Bridgefield with the other soldiers, his eyes had landed on me and done a full assessment. I knew as his scrutinizing gaze swept over me that he saw more than I would wish. He saw everything. And for one terrifying moment, I had felt the need to run, far and fast. But then the moment was gone, and once his examination was complete, he moved on. It was as if that one assessment had told him everything he needed to know about me and he was thus free to continue on his way without spending any more time or energy on me.

Since then, he’d not spared me more than a glance unless we were conversing specifically about Marilee.

It had been a relief while at the same time my skin bristled at the slight. But relief won out in the end. After narrowly escaping being sold to Captain Huckley, my need for safety would always win out.

Falstone’s gaze fell on me once more where I sat in the stables and I realized that I’d been staring at him, his stance strong and silhouetted by the bright sunlight behind him. I jerked my eyes away, wondering why he was standing there anyway. Was Marilee back from her ride? Wasn’t it his job to guard Her Highness?

A bark sounded and Rogue bounded through the doorway, quickly honing in on my tiny circle of children and loping over to receive pats and praise before circling around them and herding them toward the door amid the sound of their giggles.

“It must be time to get back to work.” I chuckled as the children squealed in delight. Rogue seemed to consider the little ones to be his personal responsibility. He’d likely try to tuck them all in their beds if anyone would allow it.

Lindy and Ansel ran to their father, Pryce, allowing the stable master to scoop them up for a moment before he sent them out to find their mother. Oliver retrieved his pitch fork and returned to the business of cleaning stalls. At eleven, he was becoming a dedicated stable boy, but he couldn’t seem to resist the urge to pause for one of my stories.

I stayed perched on my barrel, watching as Marilee came in as I knew she would. Rogue never strayed far from his owner. Sir James was quick to follow, leading both of their horses by their halters.

“Explain to me again why you are allowed to drench me, but I cannot retaliate.” Sir James’s smile was wry as he looked to his wife. The princess’s new husband was nearly as devoted to Marilee as Rogue was. I noticed the wrinkles in his shirt where he’d likely had to ring it out. By contrast, Marilee’s riding habit was entirely dry.

“I told you it wasn’t my doing,” she said with a not-quite-innocent smile.

“You cannot blame everything on sprites and elves.”

“Fairies,” Marilee corrected, sounding completely serious.

I grinned. Sir James just shook his head and tried to hide a smile.

Marilee’s riding habit was bright, her smile brighter, and I happily soaked in the evidence of her happiness as she and Sir James handed their mounts over to the grooms and headed back out into the sunshine. I’d give them a few moments and then follow. Marilee would need help changing out of her riding habit.

I made my way to the stable doors and leaned my shoulder into the post as I took in my fairy-tale life. Some would think me strange for describing it in such a way. What servant in their right mind would view their life as charmed?

Me, that’s who. Everything I’d told the children about that fair maiden’s escape was true. Exaggerated, yes. But true. Annabelle and I had bribed the coachman to take us to the town of Tethurn instead of Huckley’s residence. We’d found positions in the same house, working side by side as maids. Life in service had been difficult, more difficult than I had imagined, despite all the work I’d done in my uncle’s house. Still, I was determined and work didn’t scare me. Though I was a servant instead of a noblewoman, I had gained the one thing that I truly longed for—freedom from men who would control me.

And I was free. Especially now that I worked for Princess Marilee and Sir James. Sutton Manor was my home. The place where I was safe, and loved, and free. The place where I was never afraid, never controlled, never abused. This was my Never Kingdom.

***

After tucking a few rebellious auburn curls under my cap and tying my apron tight, I left the small room that I shared with Emeline. Emeline always woke before I did. Doubtless she was down in the kitchens already, trying to get her hands on ingredients and acquainting herself with the pottery.

I found my way to Princess Marilee’s room, where I helped her to dress and arrange her hair.

“Do I look all right?” Marilee asked, reaching up to reposition a few hairs.