Page 26 of The Abandoned Princess

“Obviously I’ll hide when she appears,” he said.

“There aren’t a lot of hiding places in the tower,” I said doubtfully.

“How about I judge that for myself?” He smiled disarmingly. “I’m better at hiding than you might think.”

“Fine,” I said. “Suit yourself. Just don’t start climbing until I’m safely inside the tower.”

“Noted,” he said. “If I’m going to plummet to my death mid-climb, I’ll make sure to plummet alone.”

“That would be appreciated,” I said dryly, “but I would prefer you avoided the plummeting altogether. When I eventually get out of this enchantment, I would rather not have to explain to your parents that I was forced to abandon your invisible body in a clearing on the other side of the kingdoms.”

“I’m overwhelmed by your thoughtful care.”

I snorted and took hold of the dress at the bottom of the chain. But Xander kept talking, making me pause.

“If Eulalie releases us from the enchantment, and I arrest her, excellent. If, however, she tries to kill you instead because your usefulness is past, then I will intervene, of course, and I can’t guarantee her safety. What exactly do you think will happen to us if she dies?”

“I would rather not find out,” I said shortly. “So be careful with that sword of yours. If you’re going to skewer her, do it somewhere expendable. Like an arm or a leg.”

“Got it.” He looked amused. “I will do my best.” He hesitated. “But what about a third option? What if she refuses to lift the enchantment and tries to leave you as a captive?”

I grinned. “That’s when the hiding and following comes into play. If she won’t give us answers, we’ll have to find them for ourselves.”

“We’re going to go jaunting off across the kingdom together? Just the two of us?” Xander sounded entirely too pleased about that prospect.

I narrowed my eyes, about to set him straight when another voice spoke.

“Absolutely not!” Lori stepped into view around the tower. “I hope I don’t need to remind you that my charge is not only a young lady but a princess. She doesn’t go jaunting off alone with strange men.” She sniffed disapprovingly, eyeing the prince from head to toe as if he was a scruffy young schoolboy in need of a good wash and better manners. “Claimed rescuer or not.”

I suppressed a laugh, adopting a demure air.

“May I introduce my lady-in-waiting, Lori? Lori, this is Prince Xander of Kuralan who has crossed many kingdoms to rescue us from this tower.”

Lori snorted. “That’ll be an impressive feat since I’ve never so much as set foot in the tower.”

“Lori?” Xander looked from the older woman to me, his eyes lighting up. “Your maid? The one who disappeared with you? We were all hoping you were still together! Has she been with you the whole time?” He turned to Lori. “I assume you must be under the enchantment as well since you can see and hear us both.”

“We’ve been together nearly the whole time. Eulalie put us both to sleep initially and tried to carry me off without anyone noticing. But Lori woke up quickly, and she was convinced it was no coincidence that not only had I disappeared but one of our fellow travelers as well. She doggedly tracked Eulalie the whole time, even though she couldn’t see me, of course. She said Eulalie kept acting strangely, and she was sure she knew something about my whereabouts.”

“Impressive loyalty and dedication.” Xander gave a respectful nod in Lori’s direction.

She shrugged. “I was entrusted with the princess, and I wasn’t going to lose her.”

I smiled affectionately at her. “When Eulalie reached this clearing and the old tower—both of which had been long forgotten by the nearest village—she extended my enchantment to cover the tower. Unbeknownst to her, Lori was touching the tower at the time and also got included in the enchantment. She’s successfully hidden herself from Eulalie in all the years since. She maintains a vegetable garden, hunts, and does all sorts of other things to provide for herself and me. She does far more than me, in fact, and I would be lost without her. I have great affection for the children, but Lori is the one who kept me going for five years.” A hint of pride entered my voice. “I did make that dress she’s wearing, though.”

“I’m just doing my duty,” Lori said before a small smile curved the corners of her mouth. “Plus, there’s all that gold to think of.”

“Gold?” Xander looked between us.

I laughed. “Yes, indeed, and I have no intention of going back on my word. When we make it home to Trione, she’ll have her body weight in gold—if I have to give her my own dowry to achieve it.”

Lori smiled fully, her eyes radiating affection. I knew perfectly well she hadn’t stuck by me because of the promise of reward. We had never resumed the formality we dropped during our desperate flight, and I knew Lori regarded me as family more than royalty or employer. But from the way she was looking disapprovingly at Xander, she hadn’t entirely forgotten her old duties.

“So it will be the three of us on a quest to save the kingdom and free ourselves from this enchantment?” Xander smiled charmingly. “The more, the merrier!”

I frowned at him, worried he was mocking her, but he genuinely seemed to mean it.

“After you, ladies.” He stepped back with a half-bow.

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