“Do you believe her, Tavia?” Julian asked.
“Well, why would I?” Tavia huffed. “None of it’s true!”
Julian didn’t say a word. He just stared into Lia’s soul with those bitter eyes.
Tavia glanced at him. “None of it’s true . . .right?”
“Trust me, darling, I have reasons for everything I do.” Julian’s voice was somber but was that . . .amusementsparkling in his eyes?
Lia choked in disbelief. The scoundrel was so confident in his grasp on Tavia’s heart, he wouldn’t even deny his crimes!
“Go to Lia, princess,” Tyrell ordered. “Please, for your own safety!”
The princess glanced from one face to the next. First to Tyrell, wide-eyed, jaw set, holding his blade aloft, he was practically dancing on his feet. He reminded Lia of a fox terrier, wanting to go in for the kill but restraining itself to please its master.
Then, the princess looked at her maid. Lia realized she was probably a mess—her hair had come undone and was clinging to her face in wet strands. Never had she felt such a strangecombination of fear and fury. Her fists were clenched and her body trembled.
The princess glared at her, but chomped her lower lip as if she was seriously considering her warning.
But then the princess turned her gaze to Julian. There he stood, steady, calm, unyielding—a rock in the storm. Lia could practically see enchantment wash over his lady love and melt away her doubts.
“Whatever you’ve done . . . or . . . or haven’t done,” a tear joined the raindrops on Tavia’s cheeks. “I don’t care!” She threw her arms around his neck. “I love you, Julian!”
Tyrell’s jaw dropped. Lia was too dumbfounded to think or say or do anything. She never imagined Tavia’s affinity for broody rogues ever going this far. The man had practically confessed to murder and she still adored him.
“Come,” Julian soothed, gently patting her on the shoulder. “Perhaps it's best if we all return to the palace.”
He led Tavia past Tyrell, completely unfazed by the threat of his blade, and helped the princess down the hatch.
Lia and Tyrell stared after them, frozen by shock and/or perhaps whatever witchcraft Julian possessed. (And he must have possessed some, because how else could one be so awful and still manage to charm eight women?)
Then, realizing that their moment of pause was giving Julian another moment alone with the princess, Lia glanced over to Tyrell.
He had been staring at the now closed hatch, apparently just as shocked as she was. But he met her eyes, and then without aword, they both rushed forward, dropping down the hatch after the murderous villain and his victim.
After practically stumblingdown every single stair, Lia found Julian in a wild fury. He twirled on them with a scarlet face, caught Tyrell by the shoulders and cried,“Are you trying to kill this horse?”
Lia looked over at Copper who was standing just inside the doorway where they left him. His shoulders were rounded, his head was down, and he was shaking all over.
“He bore two riders through the rain and you’ve let him freeze!” Julian barked.
“This isn’t even your horse, Tyrell!” Tavia scoffed. “How could you!”
Julian snatched Copper’s’s reins in one hand, and a lantern in the other. “I’m taking him to the keeper’s barn to warm him up.You’re welcome!”
Julian stormed out, leading the horse behind him.
Princess Tavia lingered a moment, then pursing her lips cast a cold glance on Lia.
“Do you know what I think?” she stated. “I think the real reason you hate my fiance is because he has a blue beard!”
“That has nothing to do—!” Lia started to yell but caught herself. “Wait, did you say,fiance?”
Tavia threw up her hood defiantly and marched out into the rain.
7. The Lighthouse Keeper
“Yer naught takin’ dis harse.” The man’s rural form of speech reminded Lia of her grandfather.
