Chapter 18
Despite the ache inher heart, Bella was determined to break Riven’s curse.She’d made a promise and still intended to keep it.Yes, it hurt he had not professed his love for her in return, but that did not make him unworthy of help.She rode directly for the castle, intending to visit her friend inside the outer bailey walls, but she was stopped by the sight of a large magpie waiting by the road.
“Bouleau?Is that you?”
“Bella.There is treasure in the woods.”
She paused and considered her options.“Actually, there is treasure at the pond.”She pointed to where Riven was stuck, then reached into her purse and pulled out a shiny penny, which she tossed to him.“Can you round up strong men and send them to the pond to dig?”
Bouleau picked up the coin in his beak, turned his head to study her with one eye, then nodded and flew away.
“Was that a yes?”she called after him, but the bird made no reply.
“Fickle, fickle bird,” she muttered, patting Nocturne’s neck as she turned back toward the castle.She rode to Henriette’s shop and found her friend deep in a novel.
“Friend!”she said by way of announcing her presence.
Henriette gasped with pleasure upon seeing her and raced from behind her counter to hug her.“Bella!You look wonderful.You’ve returned already?”
“I have.Pray tell me: have you gone to the pond?”
“I have.I truly believed you jested, but Prince Riven was there, just as you said.”
Despair bubbled inside Bella.“It appears none have come to help him.”
“Well, I went to the pub where the prince told me to look for his servant, Phillippe.I instructed the barkeep to send him to the pond.”
“I wonder if he followed through?”
“He must have, for the prince left me a coin in payment as promised.”
“Well, that is even more troubling.Why has his servant not aided his master?I was just at the pond, and no one is helping.”
“I know not.”
Bella held Henriette’s hands and allowed the despair of the day to overtake her.“My friend, I fear I have made the biggest of mistakes.”
“What?How?”
Bella slumped against the counter.“I was to be married today, to an odious man who does not even like me.I ran away and professed my love to Riven, but he told me to go home.”
“He didn’t!Oh, you poor thing!”A tight hug followed.
Bella nodded on Henriette’s shoulder, then pulled away.“My heart aches as never it has, so I know my feelings for Riven are true.I cannot let him suffer his fate.Imusthelp him, and not just because I promised—I will grieve forever if ill befalls him.Yet I know no one here but you and feel impotent in my attempts to reverse his curse.”
Henriette considered her.“I guess you do yearn for a love match,oui?Else you would not be so torn.”
Bella felt her lips curl.“Oui,I do.At least, with him.”
“And you have never seen his face?His likeness on a portrait?”
