Michael turned his back, gathering up the edges of his thoughts.“I received word that men are looking for me.We shouldn’t stay here tonight.”
“Where do you want to go?”Hannah moved in front of him for assistance with the buttons running down the back of her dress.Though he fastened them for her, the feel of her skin beneath his hands only ignited his hunger.
“The Schloss.For now, at least.We’ll decide where to stay afterward.”Michael offered her the tray of food, choosing a scone for himself.
Hannah picked at the food, as though she didn’t like that idea.“We have to speak to the king.There’s no other choice.But I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible will happen if we do.”
She pushed her plate aside and donned her pelisse.After putting on her bonnet, she tied the ribbon beneath her chin.
“It’s a risk, yes.”But a necessary one.Michael wanted the answers, if for no other reason than to close this part of his life away.More than ever, he felt on the verge of unlocking the secrets of his past.Perhaps just by visiting the Schloss, he would sense something.
Hannah finished putting on her gloves and regarded him.“Should we wait for the Graf to arrive after all?He knows more than we do about the royal family.”
“True.But at the moment, we have the element of surprise,” he murmured.Finishing his breakfast, he rose and picked up his hat.“We’ll do as Gerda suggested.I’ll ask to speak to the master of the household, or possibly the lord chamberlain.”
“Should I request an audience with the queen, while you do that?”she suggested.“I might be able to find out more.”
“No.We should remain together.Especially if others believe we’re married.”His gaze fell upon her hand.
Hannah saw the direction of his gaze.She let out a shuddering breath and removed her glove.“All right.I’ll wear the ring, but only for a few days.After that, I’m returning it to you.”
Michael withdrew the ring from his pocket and slid it on her finger.He held her hand a moment longer than he should have, but she refused to look at him.
In her eyes he saw the self-flagellation, the anger at herself for breaking so many rules.He wanted to say something to make her feel better.But what could he say?He’d been selfish, indulging in the night he’d spent in her arms.Even afterwards, with the shield of pillows between them, he’d needed to be close to her.
Hannah had fallen asleep holding his hand.It had felt nice, watching over her while she dreamed.She was far too good for the likes of him, but it was too late to undo what had transpired between them.
She adjusted the ring on her finger.“I hope you find what you’re looking for today, Michael.”
So do I.And yet, he didn’t know what it would mean for his future.
With her hand in his, he led her down the hallway and toward the stairs.Below, he heard the din of voices gathering.It sounded as if someone important was here.Instinct made him keep Hannah behind him.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs, people seemed to swarm from every angle.A group of soldiers came forward, armed with muskets.They cleared through the crowd, forming a line at the bottom of the stairs.
“His Royal Highness has asked to see you,” the Captain of the Guard announced.
Not the king.The prince.
Michael glanced back at Hannah.He reached back to take her hand, bringing her beside him.“I suppose we’re going to get our audience after all.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Nother,”thecaptaincorrected in halting English.“Only you.”
Of course, Michael thought.It didn’t surprise him that the prince wanted to address him alone.It was the easiest way to eliminate the threat.
“No,” he said simply.
When the captain started to argue, Michael cut him off.“My wife comes with me.”
All around him, he heard the buzz of voices.Though he couldn’t understand all of the Lohenisch words, he overheard them discussing the Changeling Prince.He tried to shield Hannah from the throng, but several of the men and women crowded too close.
That was it.Michael stopped walking with the soldiers, leveling the crowd with his anger.“You do not touch her.Ever.”
He guided Hannah to walk in front of him.The soldiers eyed him with distrust, as if they thought he would try to escape.Not at all.He had every intention of accompanying them to get his answers.It didn’t bother him that he was about to face the prince of this country, the man who stood to lose the most.
His immediate concern was Hannah’s safety.And although a part of him feared that it could be a trap, these men didn’t have the look of executioners.He’d seen soldiers who had been commanded to kill a man.The emptiness in their eyes and the grim reluctance were evident.No, this was duty.And so he kept Hannah close to him and kept another eye upon their weapons.
