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Her pace slowed. “I just . . . Somehow, I knew where to go.” Her bright eyes narrowed at him. “You think it’s another proof that I was a princess here, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Anyone might stumble on the correct route to the gardens.”

“They might,” he admitted. “But you just said that you knew the way, and you also remembered your mother’s clothing, which fits you perfectly. You grew up here, Helena.”

She sucked in a quick breath, turned back, and gripped his forearm with both hands, stopping him short. “How? How well do you know me? Please tell me!”

He nearly drowned in her pleading eyes, but this was not the moment to declare his love or kiss her again. “I shall tell you.” He took her slender yet strong hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm while they strolled along a stone pathway amid blooming shrubbery.

“Once, not so many years ago, there was a plump little boy who adored a golden-haired girl and tried to win her affection by tormenting her . . .”

T he peaceful gardens perfumed the air as Helena listened, spellbound, to Kazik’s stories of their shared childhood.

His deep voice was expressive, and he spoke with humor and candor.

She somehow knew that her trust in him was well placed.

He was a man of honor. Besides, how could any girl resist his smile and those soulful brown eyes?

Had she truly loved him five years ago? Or was she just a silly girl infatuated by his looks . . . both then and now?

“I don’t believe you were ever short and plump,” she remarked.

“When your memories return, you’ll believe.” He chuckled, rolling his eyes her way and raising one brow. “I’ll work hard to win your heart before that happens.”

Something niggled in her mind, and her heart gave an extra thump. “Did I ever beat you in a footrace?”

“You would have won our first and only footrace if you hadn’t stepped in a rabbit hole.

But that turned out to be my lucky day: the day Princess Helena finally saw me as a person.

” Then he huffed and smiled, shaking his head.

“More like, the first time Princess Helena saw me as something more than a pudding of a boy who tormented her with insults and unwanted attention. I was an idiot.” She heard the self-deprecating truth in his voice.

“Every time your family visited our castle,” he continued, “I watched for your carriage to arrive. One time, Solara and Geoffroi brought me here to see you.”

“The golden bird and the golden horse came here? To this castle? To see me?”

“Actually, they brought me to see you because I missed you so much. You and I walked and talked together in these gardens. Any time I was with you was a highlight in my life.” He sighed.

“We were betrothed at Christmas that year. My greatest goal was to become a squire, marry you, and then work toward a knighthood so maybe someday you would admire me.”

How could any woman not admire this man? As far as Helena could tell, he was everything good and an absolute feast for the eyes. Which somehow terrified her.

“My mother approved of you,” he added. “I know she had a hand in arranging our betrothal—she knew how utterly smitten with you I was.”

“Did my mother . . . did she approve?”

“Your mother passed away when you were a child. I’m sorry.” He shook his head, and the sympathy in his eyes somehow eased the sadness. “Queen Krystyna and my mother were friends since childhood.”

“I’m sorry I asked you that. I sort of knew already,” she admitted. “I have memories of her, but they’re . . . misty. More like impressions.”

“Your father likes me, I think.”

Wistful sadness brushed through her. “I wish I could remember either of my parents.”

“I remember your mother as a kind woman with a beautiful smile, like yours.”

She nodded, her brow puckered in thought. “Thank you for that.” After a pause, she asked, “Were you happy when we were betrothed?”

“Over-the-moon happy.” He gave her one of those shy glances that made her heart go crazy.

“I was never sure how you felt about it. I mean, we were friends by then, and you seemed content enough, but I was crazy about you. I mean a ‘could hardly function in a rational manner when Helena was near’ crazy. I could never do enough. I mean, I carved a toy for you and put magic in it—my first effort.” He laughed, shaking his bowed head.

“The love token every girl dreams of, right?”

Her heart responded in a burst of warmth. “Was it a wooden horse?”

He peered at her from under his brows, looking hopeful. “Yes.”

Was he blushing? Oh, yes, he was!

Memories suddenly swept through her mind, clearing the confusion. Yes! While living in Trinec she had dreamed of the boy Kazik and of the man he was now! She couldn’t remember everything clearly, but she knew that he had played a huge part in her life at Papa Hrabik’s cottage at Bolislaus Castle.

Turning away from him, struggling to draw a full breath, she slipped her hand into the blue kirtle’s hidden pocket where she had placed the toy when she changed clothes.

Just holding the little prancing horse made her feel better, as it always had.

She spun back to face Kazik, whose brow had creased with concern. “Helena?”

Her heart felt as if it might burst as she held out the toy on her palm. “While I lived in Trinec, I dreamed about you, but I could never remember my dreams after I woke. Until just now.”

His brows rose high, and his face reddened. “You . . . you kept it all that time? We really shared those dreams?”

She nodded. “His name is Sztorm, and he comforted me during my loneliest times. I knew that someone, somewhere, cared enough to give him to me. And I . . . I . . .”

Flustered, she paused to swallow and tried again.

“Kazik, I don’t trust easily—it’s just the way I am.

I know that I would never have agreed to our betrothal unless I returned your affection and respected you.

I’m sure you have faults—everyone does—but I believe you’re a man any woman could honor and love.

I can easily believe that I was smitten with you. ”

“Really?” Hope brightened his eyes. “And are you now? Smitten with me?”

“Yes. I love you dearly.” Trembling, her heart racing, she framed his face with her hands and rose on tiptoe to kiss him. Was it magic she felt as their lips touched, just before his arms drew her into a tender embrace?

After that kiss and a few more, they lost track of time while catching up on their lives and strolling aimlessly amid the castle gardens, through a vine-covered gate, and along a curving path that followed a sparkling river.

Several times they paused for more kisses, but reality eventually interrupted their sweet idyll.

“I’m getting hungry again. Where are we?” Helena asked, looking around.

As if waking from a happy dream, Kazik glanced around—then his eyes widened. “Helena, we’re not on Castle Valga’s grounds anymore.”