The Dare Collection September 2018. Stefanie London

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СКАЧАТЬ smiles coyly. “Okay. But, then, what’s eating you? Did I upset you?”

      “You mentioned a spring—or that this strange woman mentioned it.”

      “It’s true,” X says from the doorway. “My associate needs to know what Nightgardin knows of the spring. Because the more they believe the lore, the more they will want to breach every barrier we—I mean Edenvale has.”

      Juliet straightens and throws her hands in the air.

      “Will someone please tell me what the hell is with this damned spring?”

      My eyes and X’s widen.

      “Your Highness,” X says, sauntering into the room like he’s done this a hundred times. He probably has. “Several months ago Princess Evangeline was taken captive and dragged into the palace’s catacombs.”

      Juliet falls into one of the chairs now, too.

      “This is all too much,” she says breathlessly. “First Damien gets me pregnant. Then he forgets who I am. Rosegate tricks us and turns an amazing morning outside the stables into tabloid fodder. And now there are catacombs and a mystery woman—even more mysterious than X—who knows how I take my hot chocolate, is asking me about springs I’ve never heard of, and who can disappear into thin air the second I turn around.”

      X clears his throat.

      “It’s just one spring, Princess.”

      She glares at him. “Then tell me what is so special about the one spring.”

      I blow out a long breath. “Benedict’s wife—Princess Evangeline—she almost died to protect it. But I don’t know a hell of a lot more than that.”

      X takes a seat across from me, and Juliet and I both stare at him expectantly.

      “It is what The Order here in this part of the continent has been sworn to protect—the Spring of Youth.”

      I laugh, but X’s countenance does not change. “You’re serious. About a magical spring and some order who protects it? And you are a member of The Order?”

      Yes. Growing up as a royal is a life less ordinary. But I never anticipated spies, murder plots and a magical goddamn spring.

      He rolls up his sleeve, revealing the tattoo of a crow’s feather on his forearm. “You think me a spy, and perhaps that is one way to look at what I do. I go places others wouldn’t dare to go. I obtain information others would never be able to find. But first and foremost, I protect that which needs protecting.”

      “The royal family,” Juliet interrupts.

      X nods once. “For centuries Nightgardin and Edenvale have been at odds over one thing.”

      I roll my eyes. “Yes,” I say impatiently. “Power. We have it, and Nightgardin wants it.”

      “You have power, yes.” X raises his brows. “But it is access to the Edenvale catacombs they want.”

      “Oh my God,” Juliet says, realization creeping into her tone. “They think they can rule forever.” Her jaw tightens, and angry tears brim over her lashes. “If this spring is real and it does what they think it can do?” Her hand flies to her mouth. “The fire. The boulder. And—and—there must have been other times they tried and failed. I was never meant to be queen, was I?” Her eyes are wild. “Tell me, X! That woman asked about accidents, but I don’t think it was because she didn’t know my answers. She was testing me—testing my loyalty to my family. But you already know, don’t you? You’ve known this whole time!”

      X slides his chair backward, but Juliet shakes her head.

      “Don’t move. Don’t come near me. Just. Tell me. The truth,” she says, holding out a hand to ward him off.

      X freezes in place. “You were to be murdered on your wedding night, the Duke of Wartson framed, and your parents left without an heir.”

      She chokes out a sob. “Why does it even matter to them whether I live or die? The throne is not mine until they’re dead and gone.”

      X shakes his head slowly. “There have been whispers in the Order of your father’s concern over your mother’s behavior, of his threat to abdicate, which would strip your mother of her power and give the throne to you. But with you gone he will not risk it, not without an heir of his choosing.”

      She swipes at the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Father has never spoken of this to me. He’s never given any indication that he even cares for me let alone wants me to rule.”

      “You knew, Juliet,” he continues. “Somehow you knew the marriage wasn’t right, so you fled.”

      She stares at me now, and she is not the timid girl I thought she was. She is a woman betrayed, scorned, by everyone she thought cared for her. Not just her parents, but me.

      “I went looking for pleasure. I went looking to have one joyful experience that was just for me.”

      “And Prince Damien saved your life,” X says carefully.

      She pushes her own chair back and stands abruptly, pointing at me. “He—he doesn’t even know me! My mother wants me dead, and my own husband doesn’t remember falling for me! I have no one,” she says. “If not for my unborn child, I am completely alone. And they will not take my baby from me.”

      She starts toward the door.

      “Juliet—” I stand and take a step to her, but what comes next? What do I say to right all the wrong that has been done to her?

      “You can’t fix this,” she says, tears streaking her cheeks.

      I venture another step, trying not to spook her, though I know in this place she can’t go far. So far she doesn’t run.

      “You’re half right,” I tell her when we are face-to-face. “I don’t remember.” Her dark eyes—full of so much anger and hurt—bore into mine. “But you aren’t alone.” I cradle her face in my palms. “You and this baby. Let me protect you both.” I kiss her, and I feel some of the tension leave her body. But she’s still holding something back. “Let me fall for you both and prove myself worthy of a love as big as yours.”

      She melts into me then, and I don’t care that X is still here. I kiss her hard, my lips on hers a promise. One I hope I can keep.

      Juliet

      At last X clears his throat.

      “As much as I hate standing in the way of true love, we need to get to the palace.”

      “This isn’t true love,” I hasten to say, pulling back, Damien’s unique minty flavor lingering on my tongue. I swear he’s permeated every cell of my body from the way I tingle.

      “That a fact?” X says in a sardonic voice.

      “It’s animal magnetism. And pregnancy hormones.” I refuse to meet my husband’s eyes. I hope my lie sounds believable to his ears. I hate to have him pity me. He’s said he wants to fall for me, but СКАЧАТЬ