Mother, she’s the one I want to marry. The one I love.” The Queen’s hand rose to her mouth in surprise. How could a woman who waited in a man’s room be that of good upbringing? Only tavern girls did such a thing.
Or so she heard.
“Mother, you’d love her. She makes me smile and laugh. Her hair is long and thick and as golden as the sunrise. Her beauty surpasses any I’ve seen before. Her foot fits perfectly in this shoe.”
The Queen shook her head. “Surely, my son, there are plenty of women in the Kingdom that can fit in that shoe. How can you be so certain that she will be the one?” He smiled at his mother and paid little attention to the other women in the room who started whispering quietly with each other. “I would know her anywhere. Her voice is musical and she has a heart shaped mark between her thighs. I’m calling for all the women of the Kingdom to come and see me, no matter their station. I will find her and make her my bride.” The determination in his voice was unmistakable. There would be no arguing with him. His mind was set.
The ladies in the room gasped as Trevor mentioned the mark between the mystery woman’s thighs. Being as intrigued as they were in Trevor since he stepped into the room, no one noticed the maid in the corner that had frozen since he made his appearance. It was she that gasped the loudest.
* * * *
Cyn had been terrified when Trevor entered the room. She couldn’t believe who he was. The wild, eldest son of the Queen who had returned to accept his responsibility of his father’s Kingdom. She had heard the servants speak of him from time to time, especially now since his return, but had yet to see him.
Cyn lowered her head and quickly left the room after hearing Trevor’s announcement. She ran to the kitchen where she returned the tray and then leaned against the wall, her heart pounding and stomach churning. She couldn’t believe it.
Trevor was searching for her. He wanted to marry her and only her. But who was she but a lowly servant. She didn’t even have her father’s name anymore. Everyone thought that Cynderella Jamison was dead; she was merely Cyn, simple servant with nothing to offer a future King. She felt her chest tighten and her heart break knowing that she could never have him. How could he want someone like her?
The cook approached Cyn, thinking that she looked awful pale. “Are you alright dear? You look white as a sheep. Are you feeling unwell?” She was concerned for the young girl.
Cyn shook her head and took a deep breath to calm herself. Cautiously, she went back to the sunroom. Peeking in first, she saw that Trevor no longer lingered there.
Neither did the Queen, but the other women sat and were talking animatedly about the scene they’d just witnessed. Cyn continued with her duties with trembling hands and constantly on the look out for either Trevor or the Queen to return.
As soon as she could, Cyn escaped the room and retreated to the solitude of her bedroom to cry upon her bed. She shed tears as her dreams once more melted, leaving her an empty shell inside. But not once did she regret her night with her own Prince Charming.
The Palace was all in a buzz as women from all around the Kingdom came to try on the black shoe. Several traveled from further kingdoms when they heard the tale of the Prince searching for his bride, in hopes that they be the one. It would take many days to go through them all.
Cyn tried to stay in her room as much as possible, avoiding anywhere the Prince may be, while still doing her duties. Her heart was broken and didn’t want to risk him recognizing her and having to deny that she was the one. Only at night, when she was alone and no one could see her, did she allow herself to feel the grief of another loss in her life.
* * * *
Trevor meanwhile was growing more frustrated with every woman that passed before him. If, by chance, the shoe did fit, their hair was often the wrong color, texture, or length. He had yet to check for the mark, for none had come close to her beauty.
Trevor paced the room when the last woman of the day left. He growled like a wild animal. Passing a vase, he picked it up and threw it across the room. He watched 32
Marty Rayne
as it shattered to pieces. He felt just like the vase. He was falling apart. He needed Cynderella. He craved to see her sensual smile, to feel her touch and smell her hair. She was all that filled his mind and he knew he’d not be at peace until he found her.
That night Trevor’s sleep was restless. His dreams filled of Cynderella and how she felt wrapped around him. He did not see the small brightness that entered his room and materialize beside his bed.
Lena looked down at the man and shook her head. “Men are so daft,” she whispered, and bent close to his ear. “Hey, why don’t you check the servants, dude?”
“Servants,” Trevor mumbled and turned over.
Lena rolled her eyes as if saying, d’uh. “The one you seek is here, within your walls.”
Trevor opened his eyes and looked around but Lena was already gone. Rolling over and feeling a little better, he slid back into a more peaceful sleep.
Trevor got up when the sun rose and demanded that all the female servants be brought before him. His tone and gruffness was not one to be argued with so it was done without protest. One by one, he looked into the face of each woman and had them remove the kerchiefs covering their hair.
He growled angrily and pounded his fist on a table. “Is this all the females serving here?”
“Yes, Majesty,” a young soldier answered, nervously.
A small, red-haired girl stepped out to the front and curtsied low before speaking. “Majesty,” she said softly, but it caught his attention. “There is but one left, but she is up in her room ill and was unable to come down.” Trevor sighed and looked at the young girl, her eyes staring wide in fright. He knew he’d let his frustrations and anger show too much. “Take me to her,” he said, in a softer, kinder tone.
The maid led Trevor up to Cyn’s room then knocked on the door.
“Enter,” Cyn called out, thinking it was one of her friends checking on her.
Trevor heard the voice and knew that it was her. Her voice was like a song that
filled his heart. He saw the young girl reach for the handle and stopped her.
“Thank you.” He gave her a smile and her fear eased. “Do not allow anyone to bother us, unless they risk the wrath of myself upon them.” He could clearly see that she was now worried for her friend. “It is alright. No harm will come to her,” he assured the young maid.
She curtsied and made her way down the hall to make sure no one disturbed the Prince, as he requested.
Trevor took a deep breath then entered the small servant room. His first sight was of her lying on a cot, wearing her servant’s clothing and her hair tied back. Her coloring was pale despite the bright sunlight and her eyes red, but still she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
* * * *
Cyn gasped at the sight of Trevor standing above her. “Trevor? What…how?” She couldn’t seem to get her mouth to finish the questions that ran through her mind.
He sat on the cot next to her. Reaching a hand out, he gently touched her face.
The feel of her soft skin sent shivers of want through his body.
“My sweet Cynderella. I have been looking for you since that night. Why have you not come forward, love?”
Tears gathered in her eyes as she looked at the man she loved. “I was afraid,” she admitted.
“Afraid of what, kitten?” His thumb worked circles on her cheek.
“Afraid that you wouldn’t want me once you found out what I am.” Trevor cupped her face in both his palms and looked into her sad eyes. “Kitten, you have made me feel things that I’d never felt before. Because of you, I’m
