Free Keys to the Kingdom by Fiona Wilde

winning your hand. And do not think I believe I am already there. You are a woman who will take no less than an ardent suitor willing to prove himself. And I am eager to accept that challenge."
    "So you like challenges, do you?" she asked.
    "So long as the challenger knows when to stop pushing. I will be master of my house," he said. "Defy me, fair Fiona and you will spend much of your time standing because you're bottom is too sore to sit upon."
    She frowned, but inside a part of her thrilled at the words. For what use is a weak prince to a strong princess.
    "And now," he said. "I would like it very much if you would show me the castle grounds."
    She curtseyed and took his hand. And that his how Prince Justin began his official courtship of Princess Fiona.

     

Chapter Six

    Angelica and Quentin

    Angelica lay on the bed of her room, a cool cloth pressed to her head. She moaned softly and Prince Quentin, who'd been warned of her dishonesty, began to wonder if he was making a mistake by ignoring her. He'd been warned about her penchant for dishonesty by her father and was sure this was just a ploy to trick into leaving the room.
    Or was it. She was saying nothing now, only moaning more weakly. Quentin paced the outer room, looking through the door of her small bedchamber ever so often until finally he decided that if he must err, it was better to err on the side of caution.
    "What is wrong?" he asked.
    "It's my heart," she said.
    He looked at her and scoffed. "Your heart? Come now. Is it so terrible to be locked up away from your sisters. Surely your heart can take a bit of separation from.."
    "No." She interrupted him with a weak wave of her hand. "It is not the state of my heart, but a physical condition. My father should have told you, Quentin. I'm sure, however, he was afraid you would reject me if you knew."
    "Knew what?"
    "My heart is bad," she said. "Sometimes it beats most erratically and I feel weak. Usually the nurse makes the concoction to steady it. But she has gone to see her own ailing mother."
    Quentin looked around helplessly. He still wasn't sure if he should believe the little minx. But she looked so weak; if she were telling the truth and something happened.
    "Here," he said. "Let me lay my hand upon your heart."
    But she crossed her arms across, her eyes indignant. "You would lay your hand on my bosom when we are not yet married? You dishonor me sir!"
    "Princess, I merely sought to confirm..."
    "Doubt me if you must," she said. "But if you doubt me to my death my father will not offer you a kingdom, but instead offer you up as food for the hounds."
    "I did not meant to offend," he said.
    "I'm not offended," she said. "But I am afraid."
    "I could fetch one of your sisters," he said. "But we're under orders not to disturb the others. Should I send for a physician?"
    "No," she said. "It will take too long. The nurse always treats me immediately." She looked at him hopefully. "You could do it, however. I can tell you which herbs to use to make the drink..."
    "I'm no good at such things," he said, worried.
    "Very well then," she said and made to stand. "I'll do it myself."
    She fell immediately and Quentin, more alarmed than ever, caught her.
    "Forgive my clumsiness," she said. "Perhaps I can steady myself enough to get out to the garden. The herbs I need are right outside."
    "No," he said. "I'll do it."
    He eased her gently back down onto the bed.
    "I'm so sorry," she said. "I would do it myself if I could. But it's easy enough. The herb smells of lemon and has yellow flowers. You only need a little to extract its curative properties. Simply soak it in a bit of wine until the wine itself tastes strongly of lemon. And then bring it to me. A cup of it and I will be back to myself in no time."
    He nodded and made to move away but she took his hand.
    "You have no idea how pleased I am that you are doing this."
    "It is my pleasure, Princess," he said. "I would show you to what lengths I am prepared to go to protect