Page 29

Ahead, the road curved toward a small village. Vast fields encircled the farmhouses, the land ready for planting. Michael led them into the village, surprising her when he stopped the horse at a tavern. “We’ll eat breakfast here.”

His offer surprised her, for she hadn’t expected to stop. It was only a few hours more until they reached the capital city of Vermisten. The royal Schloss lay on the outskirts, and Hannah was anxious to see it.

He helped her down but didn’t look at all eager to eat. “Are you certain you wish to stop?” Hannah questioned. “You don’t have to on my behalf. I can wait until we reach Vermisten.”

“We’re gathering information,” he said, taking her hand. “Neither of us has been to the capital city before, and we need to know what we’re facing.”

“Know your enemy?” she guessed, thinking of his military background.

“Precisely.”

He led their horses into one of the brick stables, giving a young lad a handful of coins to care for them.

“Those are Lohenberg coins,” Hannah remarked. “Where did you get them?”

“Graf von Reischor provided me with a purse of coins to spend upon my arrival.” He shot her a sidelong glance. “I doubt if this was the way he intended for me to use them.”

“He put a great deal of effort toward appearances.” Hannah took his arm as they approached the door. “But since he cannot accompany us, I think he wouldn’t mind.”

Michael took her hand in his. “Are you ready?”

She nodded. He led her inside the tavern. A dining room was set aside for traveling guests, with several sturdy tables and clean tablecloths. The tables were full and only a few empty chairs remained.

“Good morning,” a thin-faced woman greeted them in Lohenisch.

Her grey hair was pulled back from her face, and she wore a white apron over her black gown.

When Hannah explained their desire for a meal, the woman answered, “If you don’t mind sharing, I can seat you beside some guests over there.

” She nodded toward a table by the window.

“That will be fine,” Hannah answered in the same language. “My husband and I have been traveling all morning.”

From the blank look on his face, Michael hadn’t recognized the woman’s words. He held Hannah’s hand firmly as they joined the elderly couple at the far table.

A serving maid approached them after a few minutes. Before she could ask Michael any questions, Hannah interrupted, asking for them to be served breakfast.

Switching to English, she whispered to Michael, “Do you remember the language any more?”

He shook his head slightly. “I can’t quite grasp it. I feel as though I should understand what she’s saying.”

“I’ll translate for you,” Hannah offered.

She noticed that he still hadn’t released her hand.

Beneath the table, he continued to hold her fingers, his thumb caressing the top of her hand.

A breathless ripple of feeling permeated her skin, and she admitted to herself that she wouldn’t mind if he held her hand throughout the meal.

“This was a mistake,” he said. “I shouldn’t have let you talk me into this. If I can’t even understand the damned language—”

“You will,” Hannah reassured him. “I promise you, it’ll come back to you.”

“It’s of no use to me, if I can’t recall a thing unless I’m drugged or half-asleep.”

“It’s there. I’ll help you to remember.” She gave his hand a squeeze and just then, their food arrived.

Hannah noticed the couple beside them had been watching their interaction. The man and woman were trying not to stare, but Michael had definitely caught their attention.

“Hello,” Hannah greeted them in Lohenisch. Though she was well aware that it was highly inappropriate for her to speak before Michael, she didn’t see any other choice. They were here to gather information, and she was the only one who spoke the language. At least, right now.

She introduced Michael as Lieutenant Thorpe and herself as his wife. The older man returned the greeting, and Hannah learned that they were Helmut and Gerda Dorfer.

“You are from London?” Herr Dorfer asked in Lohenisch.

“We are.” Hannah took a bite of her sausage and added, “I have cousins in Germany, and my husband has always wanted to visit Lohenberg.”

“If you don’t mind my saying so,” Frau Dorfer spoke up, “your husband looks very much like our Konig Sweyn.” Her face softened. “When he was younger, that is.”

At the admission, the woman suddenly grew fearful, as if she’d said too much. Herr Dorfer sent his wife a warning look, and she fell silent.

Hannah wasn’t about to lose the opportunity.

Extending her hand to Michael, she sent him a silent signal for coins.

Thankfully, he placed a handful into her palm.

Hannah slid the money toward Frau Dorfer.

“We are planning to visit the Schloss when we arrive in Vermisten. I would be grateful if you know someone who could answer our questions. We would like to seek an audience with the king.”

Frau Dorfer glanced at her husband, who offered a relenting nod.

Her hand covered the coins. “I can answer your questions. I used to work in the Schloss as one of the maids before I married Helmut.” Looking uncomfortable, she inquired, “But why do you seek the king?” Her gaze traveled over Michael once more.

“Ask her if she has heard the story of the Changeling Prince,” Michael said.

Helmut exchanged glances with his wife after Hannah translated. Gerda’s face paled, and the pair argued for a moment.

It seemed that Frau Dorfer won the disagreement, for she suggested to Hannah, “Go and speak to the master of the household, BurgGraf Castell. He can advise you and possibly arrange a private audience with the Lord Chamberlain, Herr Schliessing.” She blushed. “He would know what to do.”

After Hannah translated, Michael’s face tightened with frustration. Whether from the information or from his inability to speak, she wasn’t certain.

She thanked Frau Dorfer for the information, and the woman offered them the name of a respectable inn in Vermisten where they could stay.

“And,” Frau Dorfer added, “you would be wise to keep your husband’s appearance hidden, if possible, until you’ve been granted the audience. If anyone sees his resemblance to the king, his advisers may refuse to allow you entrance.”

Hannah nodded her thanks to Herr and Frau Dorfer before turning her attention back to her meal. Michael was eating while staring off into the distance, as if trying to recall the forgotten language.

Hannah kept their conversation in English to remain private. “I don’t believe you should seek a private audience with the lord chamberlain,” she admitted. “It would be too easy for the king to brush you aside, pretending you don’t exist. I think we should make use of your appearance.”

“What do you mean?”

“I believe you should confront them directly. Demand to see the king. Find out if you truly are the prince.”

“It’s dangerous,” Michael pointed out. “They might try to kill me a third time.”

“That’s exactly why it must be true. Someone considers you a threat. And he wants you dead.”