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ZULA

A s a prisoner, Zula expected to be taken back to the windowless room with the bed and locked up. But, as she was quickly learning, nothing in the palace quite matched her expectations. Instead of being placed in insolation, she was taken to the kitchens, where they were preparing for the masquerade, and from there, she was passed from group to group, always helping, because more hands meant light work. No one gave her a second glance or appeared to know who she was, which was both relieving and irksome.

Time passed quickly, and when evening fell she collapsed into bed, too worn out to hatch a plan. In fact, she’d been looking forward to time alone to think through the queen’s proposal and Neo’s reaction, and figure out how to free herself from the mess she’d gotten tangled up in.

It wasn’t until the next evening that she saw Neo again. She’d been taken back to the windowless room before supper and lay on her back on the bed, finally, for a moment to think. Again, she was surprised at the lack of chains, even though she hadn’t tried to escape. Last night she’d tried the door, but it had not given, not that she expected it to. Creativity was required to slip under the nose of the crown.

A soft knock came, then the door swung open silently. Neo’s lanky form filled the doorway. He leaned against it nonchalantly, as though he hadn’t left in the middle of a conversation and disappeared for a day and a half. “Will you dine with me?” he asked.

Zula stood, grimacing as her ankle wobbled under her weight. “I thought you’d left me to become a working prisoner.”

Neo gave her an impish grin. “Did you miss me? ”

Zula lifted her chin. “No, but I didn’t expect prisoners to work so hard.”

A cough of laughter burst from his throat. “Where did they put you? The kitchens? The mending? Surely not the stables with your lame foot.”

Zula reached him and hesitated. Instead of standing back to give her room to pass, he continued to look down at her. Did he have to be so tall and tower over her? He must have recently bathed, for he smelled clean with a hint of coconut.

“Not the stables,” she explained. “Does there have to be so much preparation for a masquerade?”

“It is tradition—an annual masquerade to celebrate the peace we’ve achieved with our neighbors. Peace that was threatened when you attempted to steal from the trolls. Even though the treasure has been returned, the relationship between the kingdom and the trolls now has an unexpected level of tension.”

Zula sucked her tongue, aware the tension was her fault. She hadn’t considered the fallout of her actions, only the shiny purse that awaited her. So she said nothing .

Neo stepped toward her. “I’d like to know who hired you to steal the egg, because I believe whoever did this had a much bigger plan.”

“I can’t give you that information.”

“Can’t, or won’t?”

Neo’s voice carried a menacing note, allowing Zula to see there was more to him than the slightly awkward, lanky prince. How had she never seen it before?

The way he walked spoke of comfort because of his elevated title. He was used to strolling through the world, having people at his beck and call. Had she fallen under his spell and considered him soft-hearted and slightly gullible? He might have caught her, but he was still the sheriff. Even the queen had complete trust in his ability to hunt, to capture those on the wrong side of the law. She thought she’d besotted him with her ukulele, but what if he had some magical effect over her, too? After all, he was a royal. Magic flowed through his veins, but what kind of magic?

“Both,” she countered, stepping closer to prove to him she wasn’t intimidated. “It was a new contract, someone I’ve never worked with before. I was on my way to meet them with the egg when you interrupted. I assume this individual or group of thieves is long gone.”

“Anything you can remember about your interactions with this group will be helpful. I may only be the sheriff, but I also work to secure the kingdom.”

For the first time, she felt bad about her actions, and her ankle started to throb. “You’re not just the sheriff, you’re a prince. It’s natural to want to protect your family.”

“It is.” He held her gaze. “And my family also protects me.”

She didn’t want to be the first to look away, to admit defeat. She’d already lost so much. Tamping down the beginnings of regret and shame, she boldly returned his gaze.

The Neo of today was much calmer and more in control than the Neo of a day and a half ago, leaving her wondering who he’d talked to. There was more of the confident prince in him and less of the awkward man she’d met in troll territory .

Neo cleared his throat. “Just so we’re clear, I’m not besotted by your ukulele. It doesn’t affect me. I like you, Zula. You. Your life choices have been unfortunate, but this is the time to turn it around. Let me help.”