“Does he return your love?”
“Yes, although I nearly lost it.” Clarissa shook her head. “I don’t ever want to go through that turmoil again.”
The queen smiled. “Does your father know?”
“Not yet. I only just discovered this. Ryder plans on talking to Father and ask for my hand in marriage, but...” she lost her smile, “not until we can figure out a way to stop the witch.”
“Not to worry, my lovely daughter. We shall find a way.”
There was something at the tip of Clarissa’s memory that just wasn’t coming forward. Deep down inside, she knew this might be the answer to their troubles. A small pain throbbed in her skull, and she rubbed her forehead. It had something to do with her time as the witch’s prisoner inside the tower.Oh, why can’t I remember?
Ryder was in danger, and she needed to help him. The feeling of urgency overwhelmed her. She prayed her mother would understand, but Clarissa must leave and help Ryder immediately...or risk losing him forever.
###
RYDER RODE HIS HORSEhard all the way to the palace. The guards on duty ran to him as he dismounted—his friend, Adam, in the lead.
“Where have you been, Grey?” Adam asked breathlessly.
Ryder shook his head. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later, but right now, I need to see the king. Is he in?”
“Yes. He’s been worried sick about the princess. She is also missing. We thought the two of you might be together since she went riding with you yesterday morning.”
Ryder arched an eyebrow and tried not to grin. She had told the guards they were riding together. Very clever of her to keep the guards from questioning his disappearance. “The princess is not missing. She is actually visiting my mother right now. I left them only a few hours ago.”
The four guards all heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s good to know,” Adam said. “The king had us four stay guard here and he sent the others out searching for her.”
“Well, I’m sure if they stop by my mother’s house, they will find her.” He clapped his hand on Adam’s shoulder. “But there are other things afoot here, which I need to discuss with the king. While I’m doing that, I need you to make sure the queen doesn’t leave the palace.”
Adam stepped back and gave Ryder a curious stare. “Why?”
“Trust me on this,” he told Adam and glanced at the other three guards. “The queencannotleave the palace.”
They nodded, which eased Ryder’s nerves slightly. He turned and hurried up the stairs and inside the palace. The first room he went to was the king’s favorite—his study. He knocked on the closed door and waited for a response.
“Enter,” the king boomed.
Ryder opened the thick door and walked inside. The king stood by the hearth, staring down into the roaring fire. A frown consumed his face, and his whole body seemed tense, as though weighed down by some unseen force. Thankfully, the imposter witch wasn’t with him. Ryder could tell him Clarissa was safe, and thus ease the king’s burden, even if only marginally.
“I hope I’m not intruding, Your Majesty, but I need to talk to you.”
The king lifted his gaze to Ryder. The other man’s eyes widened, and he strode toward him.
“You’re back!” he exclaimed. “I was told you were missing.”
Ryder closed the door to keep their conversation private. “I was missing, but I’ve returned. However, I’ll tell you what happened later. Right now, let me assure you Princess Clarissa is safe.”
The older man hitched a breath. “You know her whereabouts?”
“Yes. She was with me this morning, and she is at my mother’s house as we speak. I bade the princess to stay there so I could talk to you.”
A wary expression creased the king’s face. “What is so important that Clarissa has to stay away?”
Taking a deep breath, Ryder tried to find the words to explain the situation to the king. So many stories weaved together; he just hoped he made sense of it when telling the king about it.
“Well, you see,” he began, “while riding through the east forest, the princess and I—”
“You rode through theeastforest?” the king bellowed.
