Heir of Amber and Fire by Rachanee Lumayno (read aloud books .TXT) 📕

kerchief tied around my hair I blended in with everybody else. I tried not to make eye contact with Prince Anders while still keeping an eye on him, which was not easy.

“Milord, how may we be of service?” the innkeeper said to the prince.

“I require a room for the night,” he said. “Two rooms, if you have them. If not, then a room large enough to accommodate myself and my valet.”

The innkeeper said, “I do have two rooms, milord. I’ve a guest staying in the room between you, but I daresay you’ll be close enough if you need your man, sir.”

Oh, great! I was going to be sandwiched in between the prince and his entourage! How would I come and go without them seeing me?

“That will do nicely,” Prince Anders said. He gave the man some coins. “I trust that will be enough for the rooms, and for our horses lodging in your stable?”

“You’re very generous, sir,” the innkeeper told him. “Meal’s included, too. If you’d like to sit down we can serve you shortly.”

The prince nodded to the innkeeper and strode past my table. I brought a huge spoonful of meat pie to my mouth, hoping this would help disguise me. I didn’t dare turn around, in case the prince saw my face and recognized me, but I heard his footsteps stop somewhere behind me and to my left.

The door opened again and the prince’s valet entered. He spotted the prince and joined him at his table.

“The horses are settled, Your Grace,” the valet said. I nearly jumped. His voice was so close; I was pretty sure the prince and his man were seated right behind me.

“Very good,” Prince Anders replied. His voice was equally close. Drat! How would I get back to my room without them seeing me?

I heard the innkeeper’s daughter approach and ask them for their orders, then leave again after each man had spoken. I started eating my food as quickly as I could, hoping to leave the room while the prince and his man were distracted with their meal.

“I’ll be glad when we’re back in Rothschan,” Prince Anders said. “I despise traveling.”

“Understandable, Your Grace,” said the valet soothingly. “Unfortunately, we’ll barely be home before we have to turn right around and come back to Calia again.”

“Unfortunately,” the prince agreed. “I’m glad Mother had the foresight to start the wedding preparations before we came here. This visit was merely a formality.”

“Like there was ever any doubt that King Hendon would turn down your suit. All you really had to do was finalize the details.”

“And make sure the princess of Calia wasn’t an ugly cow. Hendon was very eager to wed his daughter off. But for the price of a future kingdom, I can hardly complain, can I?” Prince Anders laughed loudly, his valet joining in. At my table where I sat eavesdropping, I bristled.

“You’ll make a fine king of Calia, Your Grace,” the valet said.

“I hope sooner rather than later,” the prince replied. Both men laughed again.

The innkeeper’s daughter returned with food and drink for the prince and his valet. I had finished my own meal by that time; it was delicious, but I had hardly tasted it in my haste to get out of there.

I stood up, intending to go the long way around the room and up the stairs. Hmm, like that wouldn’t be suspicious.

Just as I skirted the table to cross to the other side of the room, the family of five headed to the door. The father and mother talked with the innkeeper while the children played an impromptu game of hide and seek using their parents’ legs, the table, and nearby chairs.

With my way blocked, I now had no choice but to pass by the table where Prince Anders and his valet sat, noisily eating and drinking. I took a deep breath and turned around. I tried hard not to look like I was hurrying as I started to walk by the prince’s table, keeping my face turned away from the two men as much as I could without looking obvious.

Step by excruciating step, I had nearly passed their table when I heard the prince say, “Miss? Wait... Don’t I know you?”

Chapter Eleven

MY STEPS FALTERED. My heart raced. What should I do?

The prince’s valet pushed his chair back so he was partially blocking my path. “His Royal Highness, Prince Anders of Rothschan, is asking you a question, young woman.”

I swallowed hard, fighting the rising sense of panic in my chest. My face flushed, and I was breathing hard like I had just been running. This was it. My journey to find my father was over before it had even really begun. Prince Anders would bring his reluctant bride back to Calia and King Hendon would lock me up until the wedding. My mind raced. Should I throw myself on the prince’s mercy?

I slowly turned to face Prince Anders. We stared at each other. Just as I was about to speak, the prince said, “I am mistaken. I thought you were my intended, Princess Jennica of Calia, but... you look nothing like her.” He snorted rudely. “Thank goodness.”

I look nothing like her? But I AM her! Perhaps the prince had too much to drink, or was exhausted from his travels. However, I wasn’t going to question my good fortune. I sketched a quick curtsy toward the prince. Hurrying past their table, I practically ran up the stairs to my room.

Once I was at the door, I said the spell to undo the lock as I was hastily working the key in the lock simultaneously. With both magical and mundane locks open, I slipped inside. There was no bar inside for the door; I supposed perhaps guests normally pushed the wooden chest to block entrance into the room at night. I tried moving the chest, but couldn’t get it to budge. Instead, I locked the door magically and with the key and then sat down on the bed, trying