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“Glad you’re prepared.”
Aliya edged up to chat with Jennifer and soon the two were laughing and talking like old friends. Tristan loved listening to the complimentary tones of Jennifer’s cultured, lilting voice and Aliya’s hilarious ‘southern sass’ as she liked to call it. He caught Curt smiling at the two of them and then exchanged a smile with his brother.
Would Tristan finally join his brothers in marital bliss? His path with Jennifer had seemed as difficult to climb as the rugged mountains surrounding them, sometimes even impossible. Maybe they’d finally found a passable trail and his Little Red Riding Hood could soothe the Big Bad Wolf once and for all.
The trail became more rugged, with a sharp drop-off to the right, at least seventy meters down. Then it gradually became more and more narrow and dangerous. They clung to roots and tree branches and Tristan became concerned one of them would slip and fall to their deaths. Was some unknown and probably unreal cure worth this?
Then the trail disappeared altogether.
They each leaned toward the mountainside, holding on to whatever stable tree, root, or boulder they could while Philippe and Curt conferred. Philippe studied the map they’d found, pointed excitedly, and then they started clearing the thick growth in front of them. Searching for a path or some kind of cave?
The king looked at Tristan and raised his free hand. Tristan thought this was getting a little out of control. Jennifer was holding tightly to a root and appeared safe. Hopefully they’d give up this nonsense and head back soon. He and Jennifer could hike all the way back to Traverse with the guards trailing them in the side-by-side. They’d cook together in her parents’ cottage, snuggle, talk, and plan while they waited for William to make his move.
An opening appeared in the mountainside, interrupting Tristan’s plans. His eyes widened as the brush was pulled away enough to reveal a cave entrance.
Aliya clapped happily. “Yay! I knew this was it! I’ve been searchin’ for this like a squirrel tryin’ to find his acorn!”
Tristan leaned forward, definitely interested now. “You’ve never seen this opening or cave before?” he asked Curt.
“No.” His brother moved more underbrush out of the way. “I haven’t explored on the Austrian side like I have the Augustine, but we think the borders may have been different back when they placed the cure here.”
Tristan was still skeptical about a cure, but it was definitely intriguing to find a cave opening and supposedly they’d found it from some centuries-old map. His interest was piqued, at least. They could explore the cave. Maybe they’d find some cool relic people thought was the cure. Then he and Jennifer could have a leisurely hike back and snuggle and kiss and talk.
Curt pulled a flashlight out of his bag and Philippe pulled one off his utility belt. They turned the powerful lights on.
“Stay out here and guard the trail and the opening,” Philippe instructed the guards.
They both nodded and moved to the most comfortable position they could on the mountainside.
Philippe led the way. Curt escorted Aliya next. His dad gestured for Tristan and Jennifer to go, and the king took up the rear.
It wasn’t easy to see, but it appeared to be an abandoned tunnel, definitely created by human hands. They walked single file, following the flashlights’ beams cutting through spider webs. Tristan felt like Indiana Jones. Everyone was quiet, and the apprehension in the air was thick. What would they find?
After about fifteen minutes, the path opened into a large cavern with mining shafts, a wooden door across the way, and some broken-down equipment. They all stopped and looked around. An old salt mine, but not old enough to contain the cure.
“This isn’t right,” Curt murmured, his voice full of disappointment.
“I’m sorry, lover.” Aliya also sounded let down. “I had such high hopes.”
“Why isn’t it right?” Tristan asked.
“This mine is probably only a hundred and fifty years old.” Curt gazed around.
“Maybe the cure was hidden here before they started mining,” Philippe said.
“If it was, they probably ruined it.”
A wooden door swung open straight across the cave and overhead lights flicked on. Tristan blinked against the sudden brightness and stared as four men walked through the door. Three walked and one was shoved into the cave.
Two large men in black clothing each carried the Steyr AUG, the Austrian bullpup assault rifle. They were flanked by William Rindlesbacher. The despicable man was pushing the prime minister with the butt of a gun. Henry’s hands were tied behind his back, his suit was ripped, blood matted on his brow and at his hairline, and bruises marred his face. Tristan’s gut lurched seeing his respected friend and mentor in such a state.
His first thought was how to keep Jennifer safe from those guns. His second thought was they shouldn’t have left the guards to guard the opening. Cold chills prickled his skin.
They were in desperate trouble.
Chapter Twelve
“Dad!” Jennifer cried out, rushing across the cave toward her father.
