Four Princes: A Reverse Harem Fantasy (The Rothhaven Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  Chapter 6

  Mariselle’s new pets wouldn’t allow her any rest. When they weren’t playing with her hair, the kittens were trying to get under the blanket. Eventually, something distracted them and they rushed off.

  She sat up and peered through the darkness, curious. Unable to hear or see them, she began searching the barn; instead of finding her kittens, however, she discovered a hole leading outside. Worried they were going to become owl prey, she wrapped her blanket tightly around her shoulders and snuck out into the cool night.

  ***

  Angelique was on fire.

  Literally. On. Fire.

  She cast herself away from the castle to a swimming hole a few miles away. She landed deep in the center, and the water immediately gave her relief from the hot flames. When she broke the surface, Angelique was relieved to find her skin uncharred and her clothing still intact. She could only attribute it to the fact that she’d gotten away before Gaylen had finished the spell.

  Shivering, she made her way to land and used her wand to heat her clothing and skin. Although the days were still warm, it was the end of summer and the nights could chill one to the bone. As she stood there drying, Angelique cursed herself for allowing the wizard to best her. Admittedly, she’d never actually seen his powers in action and realized that if she were going to defeat him, she needed to be better prepared and a lot more cunning.

  She also needed some kind of plan.

  But even more so, she needed to rest. Wands drew energy from their users and hers was no exception, especially when it came to teleporting. Now Angelique was exhausted and knew she wouldn’t be able to do anything without getting some sleep first. She didn’t even have the energy to shape-shift and fly to her shelter. This meant finding a new, temporary one.

  Sighing, Angelique followed a trail that led from the swimming hole, past a mossy glen, to a deep part of the woods. As she foraged on, she kept her eyes peeled just in case Gaylen had managed to follow her. Still cold and weary, she pondered the idea of a fire, but knew it would attract too much attention. Instead, she decided to try and find a hollowed-out tree, or if she was lucky, a small cave. If it was inhabited, Angelique figured she might just have enough energy to clear out its occupant.

  Regardless, she knew she needed to do something—and soon, because she could see some troublesome-looking storm clouds rolling in. Shortly after her observation, a bolt of lightning jetted across the sky. It was followed by a loud clap of thunder and a frightened cry somewhere in the darkness ahead.

  Angelique froze.

  “Smokey? Frosty? Ebony? Panther? Where are you?” hollered a child’s voice in the distance.

  Apprehensive, but curious, Angelique headed toward the sound. It was late. Too late for a young one to be wandering through the woods.

  “Please come back! It’s going to rain!” the child called frantically. “Here… kitties!”

  Four balls of fur were suddenly at Angelique’s feet. One of them brushed against her ankle and purred.

  “Aren’t you sweet?” she whispered, her heart melting.

  The kitten stared up at her and let out a high-pitched meow.

  Angelique picked up the adorable creature and snuggled it against her neck. Hearing the child cry out again, she cleared her throat and holldered, “I found them!” She prayed it wasn’t a trap. She didn’t think Gaylen could have located her so quickly, but one never knew.

  A small shadow approached hesitantly, stopping several feet away from her. “Who… who are you?” she called through the darkness.

  “My name is Anne,” she replied as more lightning lit up the sky. For a brief moment, Angelique caught a glimpse of the girl, who couldn’t have been more than ten. She was very thin, with long curly hair and large eyes.

  Another loud clap of thunder startled them both.

  “So, you have my kittens?” the child asked out in a shaky voice.

  “Yes. Well, they’re leaving again, it appears,” she replied, watching as they scampered away from her and down the path, back toward the pond.

  The girl’s eyes widened and she gasped. “Oh, no.”

  “I will help!” Angelique hollered, stuffing her wand inside her cloak. She turned around and hurried after them. When she found the kittens again, Angelique quickly grabbed the two closest to her just as the girl appeared.

  “Thank you,” the child said, looking relieved. She leaned down and picked up one of the others.

  “You’re welcome. Can you get that last one?” she asked, nodding toward the gray one, which was taking off again.

  “Yeah,” she replied, racing toward it.

  Knowing the girl would need something to hold the kittens in, she decided to use her cloak to carry them. “Bring them here when you get the gray one,” she called out.

  “Okay,” the little girl replied, picking up the other one.

  Angelique set her two kittens down on the ground, checked to make sure that the wand was tucked safely in the pocket of her cloak, and removed it. She laid it on a dry patch of dirt and then they both proceeded to herd all of the kittens into the center.

  “They may not like this, but they’ll be safe,” Angelique said, gathering up the sides of the cloak and picking up the bundle. The kittens, who were trapped inside, immediately began to struggle and mew.

  The child’s eyes widened in alarm.

  Angelique smiled. “Don’t worry, they’ll be fine,” she reassured her. “Now, where to?”

  ***

  Mariselle didn’t know what to make of Anne, but thought she seemed nice enough. Plus, it was about to storm and the stranger was helping her with the kittens, which was a relief.

  “This way,” she said, turning around.

  “Okay.”

  Mariselle led her back through the woods, to her property. As they walked past the cottage, she glanced nervously at it, hoping her parents were still sound asleep. Fortunately, all appeared to be quiet inside. When they finally made it inside the barn, the rain started.

  “Now that was close,” Anne said with a smile, bending down and opening up the cloak.

  “Yes. Thank you again for helping me,” Mariselle replied as the kittens scattered. She grabbed the closest one, Panther, and sat down cross-legged on the straw.

  “What’s your name?” Anne asked, shaking the grass and sand from her cloak.

  “Mariselle.”

  The woman smiled warmly. “Pretty name. Do you mind if I take refuge from the storm in your barn?”

  “No, ma’am,” Mariselle said, staring up at her. The woman was pretty, with shiny red hair and eyes the color of honey.

  Anne sat down across from her and began playing with the white kitten. “How old are they?”

  “Just a few weeks.”

  “I love kittens,” the woman said, twirling a piece of straw above Frosty, who was on his back, try to bat at it.

  “Me, too.”

  They sat in silence, both of them playing with the kittens. Soon the rain grew more intense, so much so that it leaked through holes in the roof and down around them.

  “Do you live nearby by?” she asked, shivering.

  Anne was slow to answer. “Yes, in town.”

  “I’ve never seen you before,” Mariselle replied, studying her again. She thought the woman was around her mother’s age, if not younger.

  “Nor I, you. The town is big, though. I’m sure we probably passed each other several times in the past and you just never noticed me.”

  “Yeah. Your hair is very pretty,” she said, admiring it. “I’ve never seen anyone’s as red or as shiny as yours before.”

  Anne smiled. “You are very kind. May I ask you a question?”

  Mariselle nodded.

  “Why are you hiding out here in the barn, where it’s cold and wet? You do live here, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I live here.” Her cheeks turned pink. “I’m not hiding, though.”

  Anne raised an eyebrow. “Your parents don’t know you’
re out here, though, do they?”

  Mariselle pursed her lips.

  “Relax,” Anne said, giving her a reassuring smile. “I won’t tell on you. I was just curious.”

  Mariselle sighed. “My parents won’t let me keep the kittens in the house and I wanted to be with them. So they wouldn’t be scared out here.”

  “Ah, so, they think you’re safely tucked in your bed?”

  She nodded.

  “I don’t blame you for wanting to protect your kittens. I wouldn’t want to leave them alone either,” Anne replied, yawning. “I think the rain will keep them in here for the rest of the night, though. Let’s hope, at least.”

  Mariselle nodded. Another loud clap of thunder from outside made her jump.

  Anne chuckled as she shook out her cloak and put it back on. “You don’t like storms?”

  Before she could answer, a cold droplet of rain splattered onto Mariselle’s cheek. She wiped it off with the back of her hand. “It’s okay. I just don’t like the thunder.”

  “It’s the lightning you need to worry about. Not the thunder,” she said, lying down on top of the straw. Anne closed her eyes. “It’s kind of like people. The loud ones aren’t always the real threat. It’s the silent ones... they’re the ones you have to watch out for.”

  Mariselle lay down across from her. “My mother always says that you need to keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”

  “Smart woman,” she said softly.

  Mariselle suddenly felt very safe in her presence. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  Anne opened her eyes and looked at her.

  “You’re nice and… I was scared being out here in the barn by myself,” she admitted. “Now I’m not.”

  The woman smiled. “Good.”

  Mariselle nodded and closed her eyes. “Goodnight, Anne.”

  “Goodnight, Mariselle.”

  Chapter 7

  When Angelique woke the following morning, she noticed two things: Mariselle had left the barn, and she’d covered her up with her one and only blanket. The kind gesture put a smile on her face.

  As she was sitting up, the barn door opened and Mariselle stepped inside, carrying something bundled up in rag.

  “Good. You’re awake,” the little girl said, rushing toward her. She sat down cross-legged. “You slept even longer than I did.”

  “I must have really needed it,” Angelique replied, staring at her clothing. Unlike many of the villagers, Mariselle’s burgundy tunic had embroidery stitched along the waistline and was obviously made of high-quality linen. Although she hadn’t gotten a clear look at the child’s home in the darkness, Angelique was under the assumption that her family lived comfortably.

  “Are you hungry?”

  Mariselle smiled. “Yes.”

  “Good. I brought you something to eat,” Mariselle said, unwrapping the rag.

  The sight of a large piece of crusty bread made Angelique’s stomach growl. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Mariselle handed it to her. “I would have brought you more, but my mother walked into the kitchen,” she said, looking embarrassed. “I didn’t want her to ask me any questions.”

  “I understand. If the situation were reversed, I’d feel the same way. Speaking of your mother, what is her name?” she asked, tearing off a piece of the bread.

  “Katrina.”

  Angelique took a bite of the bread. She’d known only one Katrina in the village. Although they hadn’t been enemies, they hadn’t exactly been friends, either. If it was the same person, she didn’t think the woman would be at all pleased to find her in their barn. Especially with all of the gossip and lies that had been spread about her. She finished chewing and ripped off another piece. “What about your father?”

  “His name is Marcus.”

  The bread paused at her lips as she froze. Could it be that her father was the sheriff of Berkshire County? Could my luck get any worse? “Langer?”

  Mariselle nodded. “You obviously know of him. Everyone does.”

  The truth was that she’d always admired Marcus because of his loyalty to the king. But he was also bamboozled by Gaylen’s lies and would arrest her immediately if given the chance. Angelique knew she had to leave—and quickly.

  “I have to go,” she said, brushing the crumbs from her clothing. She stood up and tucked the bread into her pocket. “Thank you for your kindness, Mariselle. I will never forget it.”

  Her eyes widened and she stood up. “Did I say something wrong?”

  The girl was very observant. A trait she obviously picked up from her father.

  Angelique chuckled softly. “No, not at all. I just have several things to do today and should get to them. Thank you again for your hospitality,” she said, picking up the blanket from the straw. After shaking it clean, she folded it and handed it to her.

  “My mother says that I ask too many questions of strangers,” Mariselle said, studying her face. “That it annoys people.”

  “You didn’t annoy me at all.” She smiled warmly at the child. “I promise.”

  Mariselle looked relieved. “Good. Thank you again for helping me with my kittens.”

  Angelique looked around. “Where are the little rascals?”

  “They’re just outside. Probably getting into trouble again.” Her face grew serious. “I should go and look for them, I guess.”

  Before Angelique could reply, the barn door opened. “Mariselle?” called a woman’s voice. “Are you in here?”

  The child sucked in a breath, her eyes wide.

  Alarmed, Angelique reached into her pocket and put her hand on the wand.

  Katrina stepped inside and then froze when she noticed Angelique. From the look on the woman’s face, she recognized her.

  Angelique sighed.

  “Mother, um, this is Anne,” Mariselle said with a nervous smile.

  Katrina’s lip trembled. Swallowing, she held out her hand. “Mariselle, come here. Now,” she said in a shaky voice.

  “I know she’s a stranger, but she’s very nice,” the child replied. “In fact, she helped me with my kittens earlier—”

  “Mariselle, I said, come here!” Katrina said more sternly.

  The girl’s eyebrows knitted together. “But, Mama—”

  Katrina clenched her teeth. “Mariselle!”

  Angelique pushed the girl gently toward her mother. “Go, to her.”

  “Katrina, did you find Mariselle?” Marcus called loudly before stepping inside the barn. When he saw Angelique, a look of shock and then anger spread across his face.

  Mariselle couldn’t understand why her parents were acting the way there were. It was almost like they’d both seen a monster, which Anne was far from being.

  Her father took a wary step toward them. “Mariselle, come here.”

  “Fine,” she huffed. When she reached her father, he put himself between her and Anne.

  “Katrina, get her out of here,” he said tightly.

  Anne sighed. “I was just about to leave. Don’t make her go on my account.”

  “You stay away from my family,” Marcus gritted out.

  “Relax. I mean none of you any harm. Especially, Mariselle. You’ve obviously raised a good girl.”

  Mariselle couldn’t understand the animosity in the barn. Even Anne seemed different now that her parents were there.

  “What were you doing with her?” he asked angrily as Katrina guided Mariselle out of the barn.

  “I helped her find her kittens.”

  “You what?” he asked.

  “You wouldn’t allow her to bring them inside last night, so they ran away. You know, it’s very dangerous for a young child to be out in the woods, in the middle of the night. Good thing we ran into each other, or your daughter could have gotten lost or hurt,” Anne said, a smile in her voice. “You should really let her keep the kittens indoors at night.”

  Mariselle couldn’t hear what her father’s reply was, because her mother was
pulling her back toward the cottage.

  “Why are you being so rude to her?” Mariselle cried, ashamed of the way her parents were acting.

  Her mother stopped and turned to her. “Because that woman is Angelique,” she said, trying to rein in her anger. “The sorceress we spoke of yesterday. You’re lucky she didn’t kill you. What were you thinking, Mariselle?”

  For the first time, Mariselle was speechless. She couldn’t believe what her mother had said was true. She’d pictured the sorceress to be old, ugly, and scary-looking. Anne was just the opposite.

  “Now your father is in danger because of that evil woman,” Katrina said, her eyes filling with tears.

  “Anne won’t hurt him,” Mariselle said, finding her voice again. “She’s not evil.”

  “Foolish child,” Katrina murmured, grabbing her hand again. She began pulling her toward the house. “You have no idea what kind of person she really is.”

  In her heart, Mariselle couldn’t believe that Anne, or Angelique, meant any of them harm. Wanting her father to realize it too, she broke free of her mother’s grip and ran back to the barn. She noticed her father now had his sword out and Angelique was holding her wand. Both of them looked at her.

  “She’s not bad,” Mariselle begged as she ran to her father. “Please, don’t hurt her, Papa.”

  Angelique lowered her wand. “At least someone in this town isn’t being manipulated by the likes of Gaylen.”

  “Mariselle, get out of here,” ordered her father angrily.

  “Let her be; I’m the one who’s leaving.” Angelique said in a tired voice. Staring at Mariselle, her eyes softened. “Always follow your instincts, Mariselle. Yours appear to be fair and accurate. And remember what I told you—be wary of the quiet ones. Just like spiders, they’ll creep up on you when you least expect it and fill your world with their venom.”