I swallowed the remark on the tip of my tongue and nodded, painting a smile onto my face. “It was, indeed. Thank you, Your Royal Highness.” I bowed low in a show of deference. Rising after slightly longer than strictly necessary, I gestured up at the castle’s facade. “Your home is magnificent.” I’d grown up surrounded by the nobility and knew a certain amount of ego stroking would work in my favour.
Prince John glanced at the cold grey stone, a quizzical expression on his lined face. “Yes, well. It’s one of many royal residences my father has bestowed upon me in his absence, but as the Royal Forests have become a hotbed for witch activity in recent years, I chose this one as my seat from which to tackle the issue. Closer to the action, you see. I do prefer to take a hands-on approach with these things, don’t you, Lord di Reinalto?” His blue-grey eyes cut to the core of me as well as any steel blade.
“Indeed, I do, Sir. And please, do call me Stefano.” I bowed again, for good measure. I could feel Dominico’s eyes on my back as he stood to attention behind me. I would definitely be in for a good ribbing from my friend later, but I didn’t care.
Prince John smiled—a slow, serpentine thing that turned his regal features cruel. I had played my role to perfection and soon would reap the benefits of what I had sown.
“Stefano, of course. We are to be family soon, after all.” Prince John gripped my shoulder tightly, beaming. “Tomorrow evening, there will be a banquet to announce your arrival, and to declare your betrothal to my daughter, Lady Gwyn.”
There it was. My reward for leaving my home and family hundreds of miles across the sea and coming to England to offer my expertise in witch hunting. Once the prince’s daughter and I were married, I would inherit everything I saw before me, and plenty more besides. All I could hope for was an obedient wife,a handful of sons, and an untimely death for my soon-to-be father-in-law.
“Now, I’m sure you’re exhausted from your journey. I’ll have a servant show you to your rooms. I see you have brought your own man, but I’ve taken the liberty of assigning two of my finest guards to your protection. They’ll be at your beck and call, day and night. Anything you need, they will provide.” He snapped his fingers and two soldiers in dark-grey uniforms with neatly trimmed beards and short swords strapped to their hips appeared beside me.
The prince’s words had been innocent enough, but I knew what lay beneath. I was to be watched by the prince’s spies, so my behaviour must be impeccable at all times. Especially as the engagement to his daughter—Lady Gwendolyn? Gwyneth? Guinevere? Who could remember—had not yet been announced publicly.
“You are too generous, Highness. I appreciate the kind offer, and I’m sure Dominico and these fine fellows will get along very well. Now, I would very much like to eat a meal, and perhaps take a bath, if your servants are amenable.” I saw irritation flicker in the prince’s eyes at my impertinence, and I flashed a crooked smile. In my experience of higher nobles, it was important to test the boundaries early on and find the line in the sand. Most of them showed a grudging respect for anyone courageous enough to speak their mind without fear. I couldn’t read Prince John’s expression as easily, but after a moment he nodded and gestured to a young serving girl waiting nearby.
“Please escort Lord di Reinalto to his rooms, Margery.” The girl hurried towards the castle, head bowed, and I moved to follow her.
As I passed the prince, his hand snapped out and he gripped my upper arm, halting me. His voice was low and threaded with ice. “I do hope I haven’t made a mistake in inviting youhere, Stefano. The High Sheriff of the Royal Forests is a highly respected role, and I expect to see results. I took a risk on you; don’t make me regret it.”
He released my arm and flicked his fingers at the girl, who had paused on the threshold, sending her on. I nodded, eyes cast down, before following. I might have tested the waters too soon, but I could salvage the situation. I just needed to embody the perfect witch hunter and son-in-law until the prince’s good opinion of me could be carved in stone.
My mission for the following days: find and kill some witches, charm a young noblewoman, and keep my nose clean. How difficult could that be?
3
STEFANO
After a hot meal, a steaming bath with lavender oil, and a good night’s sleep, I felt restored enough for a stroll around town. I dressed in a linen shirt, leather jerkin and simple woollen trousers, combed my black hair and beard, and left my room.
“Good morning, my lord.” Dominico stood to attention as I stepped into the hall. The prince’s men were there, too, flanking my door.
I looked between them. “Have you been here since last night? All of you?”
They nodded. One of the two royal guards cleared his throat. “We alternated throughout the night, my lord.”
I narrowed my eyes at Dominico. “And you, Nico?”
“I’m fine. I’ll rest later.”
I raised an eyebrow as he unsuccessfully stifled a yawn. “You’re going to rest now.” I held up a hand to silence him when he opened his mouth to argue. “I’ll be fine with…” I gestured to the two dark-haired and—now I registered it—incredibly similar looking men Prince John had assigned to my protection detail.
“Edward.” The taller of the two men said. He had flecks of grey at his temples, and large brown eyes.
“Peter,” said the second man; slightly shorter and heavier, with hazel eyes. Both had strong jaws beneath their neat beards, and long, straight noses.
“Are you two brothers, by any chance?”
“Yes, my lord,” they said in unison. I resisted the urge to sigh; I didn’t miss the childish teasing of my own brothers and hoped this pair would keep the bickering to a minimum. Looking at them, I had to admit, they didn’t look the type. Perhaps military service had beaten the humour out of them, like it had my brother Federico. He hadn’t been the same when he’d returned from the war.
“I’ll be quite alright with Edward and Peter. I’m only intending to take a walk around town and get my bearings.”
Nico looked sceptical. What had gotten into him? Jealousy? I knew we’d only just arrived, but the brothers gave me a good feeling, and my instincts had never let me down yet. They certainly didn’t appear shifty or untrustworthy, at first glance.
One of them, Peter I thought, said, “There’s a market on in the town square today, my lord.”
I clapped my hands together. “Perfect. There we are, I’ll visit the market and meet some of the townsfolk. Nico, you take the morning off and get some rest. We’ll be back in plenty of time to prepare for this evening’s banquet.”
