Page 17 of Return of the Nutcracker Prince

Outside the door to the guest suite, Mrs.Rein paused and opened the door for them.“Lady Clara,” she curtsied, “please let us know if there’s anything you require.”

“Is there somewhere I might find a dress?”She winced.“There wasn’t time to pack a trunk and I’m still in my nightclothes.”

“I’ll send Trixie right away.She can arrange it for you.”

As Mrs.Rein left them so she could call for the maid to assist his guest, Klaus gestured for her to enter first.

“There’s a sitting room here, and the bedroom and bath are behind that door.”

She merely nodded, then sat gingerly on the crimson settee.He stood in front of her, unsure whether she wanted him to sit on the other side of the small sofa or if he should take the chair across from her.

“Are you alright?”

Clara took a deep breath, then whispered, “I’m scared, Klaus.What if it was all a fluke?Then you put yourself in danger for nothing.”

“It was not for nothing.”He slid onto the settee at her side.“I wanted to find you again, regardless.I’m only sorry about how my parents have treated you.”

“Still, I don’t know the first thing about war.Let’s suppose I have magic.How am I going to help you defeat the Mouse King and his entire army in just a few days?”

“Leave the strategy to me and my father.Once you harness the power that I’ve seen you wield, we will determine the best tactics.”As prince of the Land of Sweets and Toys, Klaus was familiar with carrying immense responsibility on his shoulders.It had been thrust on him essentially at birth, since he’d never had a sister to inherit the throne.She was struggling under his expectations, and Klaus cursed himself once more for thrusting her into this.If only he’d had more time to explain!

“I still don’t… I just don’t know, Klaus.”

Dark circles had formed under her eyes.She needed rest, first and foremost.He’d have a meal sent up as soon as she was awake.And he could use a nap himself.He wouldn’t be able to help carry her burden if he wasn’t in tip-top shape.“One step at a time.Why don’t you get some sleep?Everything will look better after a nap.Then I can take you for a proper tour of my home.”

She nodded, and he stood with her.“Thank you, Klaus.”

His brow furrowed in confusion.“I’m not sure why you would thank me when I’m the reason you’re in this mess.”

She graced him with a small smile.“For listening.And for… believing in me.”Then she did the most miraculous thing.Leaning in, she pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek.Klaus couldn’t even breathe, scared to move and break the moment.His skin clung to the memory of her lips as she pulled away.

He couldn’t look away from those soft chocolate eyes, drowning him in emotion.Without looking away, he pressed her knuckles to his lips.“Always.”

After holding on a few moments longer than was probably proper, Klaus released her hand.“Whenever you wake, send for me.”

Clara nodded.“I will.”

“‘Til then.”He took one last look at her and then tore himself away and gently closed the door to the suite behind him.

Leaning back against the door, Klaus closed his eyes and breathed for a moment.Then he made his way to his own wing, back down the staircase and up another that would take him to his rooms on the other side of the palace.He should have talked to Uncle Ludwig ages ago about her magic.Surely, her own godfather would have an inkling of what was going on.Yet if he knew, he’d never mentioned it.As much as Klaus desired it, he doubted he could keep her.Even if her magic weren’t a fluke, she wouldn’t be allowed to stay in the Realm of Dreams.

Magic existed only in Dreamers.Legend spoke of rare Dreamer and Waking marriages, and that the descendants of those matches could inherit a parent’s magic.Supposedly, some of them had moved to the Realm of Dreams before the portals closed.But his parents always told him those were just children’s tales.

No one from the other realm could ever stay.

Chapter 6

Claraawokebewilderedseveralhours later.She was in a soft, large four-poster bed of a reddish-brown wood with fine linens.Looking around the room, she didn’t recognize the wallpaper, a cream-colored affair decorated with beautiful golden scrollwork.A wardrobe of the same color as the bed frame stood off to one side of a window.Then, the events of the night before came back to her.She had gone to sleep and then woke up in her dream.Which meant she was still asleep.

How confusing!

Shaking her head, she rose when she heard a soft knock.That must be what had woken her.“One moment!”She smoothed her hair down, sure she looked a fright.Opening the bedroom door, she hurried across the sitting room.“Who is it?”

“It’s Trixie, Miss.”

She opened one of the two white doors and ushered in a small woman with short blue hair and blue tinted skin.She wore a plain brown maid’s gown and apron, like the housekeeper had earlier.That must be the uniform for servants here.Trixie pushed a cart with a dome on top, her head barely rising to the same height.She came only to Clara’s waist.This had to be one of the pixie race Klaus had mentioned.

“His Highness asked Cook to send supper up for you.The Sugar Plum Fairy has arranged for your testing to happen tomorrow morning.I brought you some mage robes and a few other things to wear while you stay with us.They’re in the wardrobe.”

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