The queen exited the workshop, head high, spine stiff, without another word. Gus trailed along behind Daffy and tried to fasten the lock—not that there was anything valuable to protect—but the steel piece just dangled there.
“What’s wrong with the lock?”
“I’m not sure,” Gus said, low, over her shoulder. “But she’ll calm down. I’ll take care of this.”
“I doubt she will. And she’s right. I should be sacked.” Daffy fought the rise of shame.
“This isn’t how I envisioned our first evening as a couple in love,” he said.
“How can you still love me? The queen will never accept me as your girlfriend now, let alone anything more.”
“But I do. I love you. This doesn’t change anything.”
“What are you two going on about? Shall we get on? It’s wet and cold. Gus, you’ve a chair to find and Daffy, you’ve luggage to pack.”
Love was a magical wonderful thing that healed a lot of wounds. But in this moment, love was a fantasy.
Riding in the jump seat, Daffy gazed toward the cliff and the Hand of God. She could just barely see the tip of His “fingers.”
Their true love confession seemed long ago and faraway, even silly and frivolous. Their magical afternoon ended in disaster. How could she climb out of this one? More royal security statutes? She’d never be allowed near the palace again.
A stony royal silence serenaded the ride back to Hadsby. She’d never be a part of this family.The Family.It was one thing to face the public, with their criticism and scrutiny, but it was another entirely to break a family—royal or not—apart. She’d not do it. And because she loved him, she’d not allow Gus to do it either.
* * *
Gus
“Ernst.” Gus burst into the Belly of the Beast. “Have you seen Emmanuel?”
After a pretty good row, Gus had given in and agreed to drive Daffy to the train station to catch the six o’clock to Port Fressa. She’d packed in mere minutes and almost ran from the castle.
“How can this be?” He’d stood in the doorway to her bedroom as she’d packed. “We confess our love to one another, and three hours later you’re leaving on the heels of this stupid argument.”
“We attempted to deceive the queen. We should’ve been honest about the chair.”
“This is my fault. I thought I was protecting you.”
“And yourself.” She dumped clothes from a drawer into her suitcase. Didn’t bother to fold them.
“I’ll make it right, Daffy. I won’t stop until I do.”
Their goodbye at the train station was nothing for the movies, or even a short novel, but he was able to hold her for a few brief moments. Tangle his fingers in her hair. Kiss her soft lips.
“I do love you.”
But she’d not returned his sentiment, and the feelings of old stirred deep in his belly and whispered,“Here we go again.”
“Yer Royalness,” Ernst called. “Come. Oh, problem?”
“Emmanuel.” Gus landed at the bar where Ernst dried a tray of mugs. “Immediately.”
“Not seen.” He pushed Gus down on a stool and filled one of the glasses.
“Tell me where he goes. Even better, where he lives. I’ll find him.”
“Can’t.”
“What do you mean, ‘Can’t?’ How’d you find him the first time?”
