Unlocking the Spell by E. D. Baker Read Free Book Online

said, gave him a pat on his cheek, and sashayed to where Annie and Liam were waiting.
    â€œYou asked for me?” she said, eyeing Liam in an appreciative way.
    â€œI did if you’re Rose Red,” he replied. “What are you serving tonight?”
    â€œFish stew,” she replied as she continued to look him over. “It’s what we serve every day.”
    â€œTwo bowls please, and some bread and cooked fish for the road.”
    â€œComing right up,” she said, and turned away without giving Annie a glance.
    â€œShe didn’t ask what I wanted,” said Annie. “For all she knows, you might be really hungry and want all of that for yourself.”
    Liam smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll share it with you.” He reached across the table to take her hand, saying, “I like when it’s just the two of us the way it was when we traveled through the kingdoms, looking for princes for Gwendolyn. That was the most fun I’ve ever had.”
    â€œI thought so, too,” said Annie, “or at least I would have if I hadn’t been so worried that we might not find the right prince. I don’t know what I would have done if Gwennie hadn’t woken up.”
    â€œI would have helped you look until we found the right one. You know I wouldn’t have left you on your own. You mean too much to me. You’ve been my princess since the day I took the guard’s oath to protect you and your family from my mother and brother. But now I feel as if—”
    Annie and Liam turned their heads when a chair banged into a wall. Two middle-aged men sitting at atable by the door had been gobbling their food as if they were starving. One had gotten to his feet so suddenly that he’d knocked his chair over. He was fumbling through his pocket when his companion slapped a coin on the table. Gathering their satchels, they scurried from the room.
    â€œThey’ll have to hurry if they want to catch the ferry,” said a voice from a table near Annie and Liam.
    Annie glanced at the young man sitting there. He was attractive enough to turn the head of any girl, which would have made Annie suspect magic if he hadn’t been so obviously poor. Dressed in the clothes of a farm worker, his hands were callused and rough and the soles of his boots were thin from walking many miles. What was unusual about him, however, was that his companion was a large gray cat, sitting on the chair across from him, wearing boots of fine-tooled leather.
    â€œI told you we need to practice,” the cat whispered to the young man. “Now’s as good a time as any.”
    â€œBut do we have to do it here?” the young man whispered back.
    â€œWhy not?” whispered the cat. “These simple folk will believe anything. Just follow my lead like I told you before. Good day,” said the cat, turning to face Annie and Liam. “Let me introduce myself. I am Puss, and this is the Marquis of Carabas.”
    â€œThat’s nice,” said Annie. She glanced at Liam, who smiled at her and winked.
    â€œIndeed!” said the cat. “He is a very important person who is wealthy and owns much land.”
    Liam leaned forward in his seat. “Where is Carabas located? I’m afraid I’ve never heard of it.”
    â€œAh, that is because it is far from here, located in the kingdom of Dorinocco,” said Puss.
    Liam snorted and covered it with a pretend cough. Annie couldn’t help but smile. He was the second son of the king and queen of Dorinocco, and had been made the crown prince when his brother was banished for nearly starting a war with Treecrest. If anyone would know about the towns in Dorinocco, it would be Liam.
    â€œHow interesting,” said Liam. “You see, I’ve traveled extensively throughout Dorinocco, yet I’ve never heard of Carabas.”
    â€œWell, it’s there,” the young man said, sounding belligerent.
    â€œAnd