Quinn: Protecting the Crown, #1

Chapter 1

Her name was Quinn Harris, she was five years old, and she was on her way to a real-life castle. She was so excited she bounced on the back seat between her mother and her big sister, Maeve. She couldn’t wait to see the castle, but there was another feeling alongside the excitement. A funny feeling in her tummy that happened when she thought about staying in the castle with Dante. 

She had been so excited to fly and to see Dante again that she hadn’t slept much on the plane. Her mama had wanted her to, and Maeve had, but Quinn didn’t want to miss anything. Her mama had told her it would be morning in Madiera when they landed. The day was so pretty out the car window. She couldn’t wait to see Dante through it.

Quinn supposed you could call Dante her mother’s boyfriend.  That’s what Maeve called him. They had met him right as their summer vacation got started, when he came to Oklahoma to visit their mother. Quinn had liked him a lot. It had been nice to have a man in the house again after so long.

It had made their mother happy, too. She hadn’t smiled or laughed that much since Quinn was little and her dad was still alive. Quinn really wanted her mother to be happy again. She leaned over and gave her mother a big hug around the waist.

Her mother laughed. I’m glad you’re excited. She kissed Quinn’s head. Are you more excited for the castle or Dante at this point?

Quinn sat up and resumed bouncing. Both! I can’t wait to see Dante, but we get to stay in a real life castle! She turned to her more sedate older sister, who had been gazing out the window at the buildings that seemed to grow closer together the longer they drove. Quinn grabbed her sister’s arm, Aren’t you excited, Maeve?

Maeve looked down at Quinn, then up at her mother. I am. She took one of Quinn’s hands and leaned down so their noses almost touched. But there’s so much to see. Then she straightened and started watching the buildings going by again. 

The buildings were different from any Quinn had seen before. She thought they were pretty, especially because you could see the ocean behind them. This was because Dante’s castle was on an island. A European island. Her mother had said so. Maybe they would get to live in the castle with him. They’d had a big girl conversation about it. About whether she and Maeve would even want to do that. About what a big change it would be, and how they’d be so far away from Oklahoma and home. But Quinn thought it would be worth it if her mother didn’t cry like she used to, and instead kept smiling more like she had been those last few months.

Beside her, Maeve leaned forward in her seat. It’s so beautiful. Laughing, she looked at Quinn with wide eyes. Are you sure this is right? It’s so weird.

Not to be outdone, Quinn squirmed, but wearing a seat belt she couldn’t see what Maeve saw. Her mother unsnapped her belt so she could stand. Quinn drew in a breath and pointed out the window, There’s Dante, Mom! she shouted. There’s Dante!

She felt another kiss on her head. I know, baby, her mother said. I’m glad you’re so excited. This is a big change, but we can do anything, right? Smiling at both girls, she placed her hand over Quinn’s. Maeve followed suit, resting her hand on her mother’s.

We can do anything, the sisters repeated as the car rolled to a stop. 

This is Dante, so no protocol is necessary, her mother mother continued. Go on. I’ll bring your bags.

Both girls were piling out before the driver even had his door open. Maeve got out of the car first, but Quinn was the first to reach Dante, who crouched to meet her with outstretched arms. The next instant, Maeve was hugging him, too. Quinn thought Dante seemed as happy to see them as they were to see him. 

Dante let them go and straightened as their mother approached.  But he didn’t hug her as he’d done with the girls. 

Ladies, your bags, their mother said. She set the bags down and kissed Dante on the cheek. It wasn’t the greeting Quinn expected. She thought they would be happier to see each other. But she remembered that her mother had said not to ask questions until they were inside Dante’s room. Maybe this was what she’d meant. Now her mother and Dante were just staring at each other with expressions Quinn couldn’t read. She knew better, but she couldn’t keep the questions in. She opened her mouth, but a new voice stopped her and she turned to see who’d joined them.

A tall woman with dark eyes and hair like Dante’s smiled back at her. I’m Isabelle, Dante’s sister, she said. Her summer dress was covered in tiny rosebuds. On behalf of the Romero family, I bid you welcome. You must be tired from travelling. I’ll walk with you to Dante’s rooms. Quinn decided Dante’s sister was even prettier than Bell, her favorite princess.

Isabel, may I introduce Olivia, Maeve, and Quinn, Dante said, gesturing to each in turn. His voice sounded funny, Quinn thought. Like when her mother was trying to hide tears. She took his hand like she’d done sometimes when her mama was sad. He squeezed Quinn’s hand, but when she looked up at him, it was still her mother he was gazing at. 

They went through the door and down a long hall. The grown-ups were talking, but Quinn was too busy looking around to pay attention. The floor was wood, with a really pretty rug down the middle, and to Quinn it seemed to go on forever. Through windows on the wall to their right, Quinn saw the tops of other buildings and a courtyard. She wanted to stop and look, but the grownups seemed to be in a hurry.  On her left were doors leading somewhere Quinn felt certain would have been more interesting than this hallway. But her mama had said to behave. No exploring without Dante, she’d said. Quinn sighed loud enough for everyone to hear. But Maeve was the only one who noticed. She brushed a hand gently down Quinn’s arm, a gesture of solidarity Quinn appreciated, even if it did nothing to relieve her restlessness.

She went back to studying the hall. She was very good at details. Her mother had said so. Quinn noticed things other people missed, and later she remembered them. They passed lots of doors and standing against the wall in the middle between each set of doors was a beautiful table. Some of the tables had vases, but every table had a large picture hanging above it. Sometimes there was a vase so huge Quinn was sure she and her sister could both fit inside.  Quinn turned her head to marvel at one of the vases as they passed, slowing down to get a better look. Maeve took her hand and pulled her along, wiggling her eyebrows at Quinn as if they shared a secret joke. And then they reached another door that looked more or less like the others they’d passed, but this time they all stopped walking. Dante opened the door and stood aside for the rest of them to enter his rooms. Rooms with an s, Quinn remembered. Most people only had one room, but you must get a whole lot when you live in a castle. 

It felt cozy and bright inside Dante’s rooms. The wood carvings from the hallway continued in here. And there were more windows, too. Quinn really wanted to run over and look out. It was so hard to stand still. But for now, she was determined to be good. As the grown-ups talked, she peered around the room trying to see as much as she could from where she stood. There was some food on a little table across the room. Quinn hadn’t eaten since they were on the plane, and that was hours ago. She hoped the lady in the rosebud dress wouldn’t stay very long. Dante’s sister. What was her name again? Quinn’s tummy rumbled.

After Dante’s sister left and he was showing them around, Quinn finally got to see what was outside the windows—the courtyard with its stone paths and gardens in full color. Then he showed them the rest of the apartment. 

Through this door is the hallway that leads to the bedroom, Quinn heard him say to their mother. I had two beds and dressers brought into the study for Maeve and Quinn. That got both girls’ attention and they hurried over.

This is awesome! Maeve exclaimed. Quinn thought so, too. The room was floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, all of them full of books.

Their mother said, Maeve, how long do you think it would take you to get through all of these?

Years, Maeve whispered reverently.

    Dante was showing them the TV’s hiding place—behind a mirror over the fireplace—when Quinn ran up and hugged him..

Thanks, Dante, she said. Then she looked back toward the book-filled room. Which bed is mine?

    Dante bent down so he was level with her. Your pick.

Quinn ran over to the bed closest to the windows and plopped down to stare out at the flowers and trees in the morning light. There’s so much to see here…so many trees to climb. I can’t wait to get outside.

Quinn half-heard Maeve ask, How can the living room windows overlook the inner courtyard when these windows face the other side of the castle?

The castle floors are offset, and this is a corner set of rooms, Dante said. The rooms on this floor run along the inner courtyard, but the rooms on the next floor run along the outside of the palace. A few of the corner rooms take advantage of both views.

That is too cool, Maeve said, looking out the window.

The tour continued down the hall to Dante’s bedroom, which was where their mama would stay. Quinn looked around the room briefly before going back to the door, which she’d noticed had been carved with Trees and animals like a picture of the outdoors. She reached out and traced it with her finger. 

At the sound of a knock on the door, Dante said. That should be your luggage. Maeve, Quinn, why don’t you ladies get a plate and have a snack in the living room?

Quinn had momentarily forgotten how hungry she was, but now she remembered. As the adults dealt with the luggage, Quinn looked over at Maeve.

This is so cool! she whispered.

Maeve’s mouth was full, but her reply was clear to Quinn. Super cool.

Her mother and Dante waited until they were done eating before Dante showed them the last of the apartment’s secrets—two doors leading to very different places in the palace. 

Dante walked back into the hallway and stopped in front of a spot along the wall that was empty but for the chair rail that ran the length of the hallway. He ran his hand along the rail. Quinn was about to ask what the big deal was when a panel popped open. 

In unison, both girls gasped in surprise and said Cooooool. 

This will get you into the outer hall across from the inner courtyard doors, Dante said, handing each of them a card. These cards will allow you to open all doors that you have access to. They will get you out and back in. Quinn stared down at her card—her very own card, with her name on it and everything. She looked back up as Dante turned to the girls’ mother. There is always Security monitoring who is coming in and out. 

He closed the panel, walked into the study, and stopped at the bookshelves to the right of the door. He scanned the spines for a few seconds before finding the one he was looking for. As the book tipped out, Quinn heard a click and the section of the bookcase popped open to reveal another door and passageway. This passageway is used primarily by servants as they go about their daily routines. There are more doors along the passageway to section it off so curious people don’t go exploring and get lost. He gave both girls a meaningful look. Quinn put on her most angelic smile, but it was hard to hide how badly she wanted to explore that passage. Dante walked into the passageway to the other door. This door, however, is only accessible through your mother’s card. Yours won’t open it. This is for your protection. It also goes outside but to the more open area around the castle. You may use the other door at any time to go into the inner courtyard. If there is an area you are not allowed in, it’ll either have a guard at its entrance or it won’t open when you try to use your card. He demonstrated with Maeve’s card.

Quinn looked down at the card Dante gave her. Her card might not open every door in the castle, but still, it was her own card, and this was enough to make her excitement almost more than she could stand. And there were secret doors hiding secret passageways—she couldn’t stand it any longer. She launched herself at Dante’s legs and hugged him tight.  He patted her back and listened to whatever her mother was saying.

After a moment, Maeve spoke up.

Can we go watch TV?

Her mother put a hand over her heart. You mean you didn’t get enough on the plane?

Maeve giggled. I want to watch my shows. They weren’t on the plane’s list. 

Go ahead. But no fighting. Take turns. Maeve gets first pick, since she asked. Maeve smirked at this, but Quinn didn’t care. She was so happy about the key card and the secret passages, she went along without complaint.

While Maeve was figuring out the TV, Quinn climbed up in the bed by the window. She barely saw ten minutes of the show. The next thing she knew, she was opening her eyes. She felt a soft blanket pulled up to her chin. She hadn’t covered herself up. She looked over at her sister’s bed; whoever had covered Quinn up had done the same for Maeve. 

Quinn sat up and looked out the window. It seemed really bright. She wondered briefly how long she had slept. It was still breakfast time when they had arrived, was it lunch time now? Quinn rolled to the side of the bed and let her feet dangle off. She was too little to get down so she rolled to her stomach and scooted off the edge. She felt the carpet with her toes before letting go and dropping the rest of the way. She walked very quietly over to her sister’s bed. 

She wondered if just looking at her sister would wake her. Quinn didn’t know how long she stood there willing her sister awake, but finally Maeve’s eyes opened. She gave a muffled cry. 

Quinn! Maeve raised her hand to her heart before sighing, You scared me. She rolled over onto her back.

Quinn cocked her head to the side. I was just standing here. 

I wasn’t expecting to have someone standing over me, staring, when I opened my eyes.

Did you cover me up? Quinn asked.

Maeve sat up. Nope. Must have been Mom.

I’m hungry, Quinn said.

You’re always hungry, Maeve replied. But got up and followed Quinn into the living room, where they found Dante sitting on the couch, his feet on the coffee table and a computer in his lap. He closed the computer as they came in and set it on the table his feet had just vacated. 

Hungry? he asked.

Quinn nodded, walked over to him and crawled into his lap. Like every time she cuddled with him, his arms came around her. He smelled really good, she thought, and she always felt safe when she was close to him like this. She listened as Dante picked up the phone next to the couch and after a few seconds, heard him request a tray of snacks. Getting food whenever she wanted might be  the best part of the whole palace deal, Quinn thought.

Maeve seemed to hesitate before taking the chair next to the couch. Quinn wondered why she didn’t just come and sit with them.

Where’s Mom? Maeve asked. 

Dante put down the phone. She took a page from your book and fell asleep. I figured I’d give her another fifteen minutes before we wake her up. I know she wanted all of you to get out and see some of the city before the day was over. He rubbed his chin on Quinn’s head. Are you comfortable here?

Maeve said. It’s really pretty, and the bed was comfortable. Thank you for setting it up for us.

What would you two think if this was permanent? Would you mind living here?

Quinn felt Dante’s heart speed up as he waited for their answer. She put her arms around his chest to give him a hug, and his arms tightened around her for a moment. She looked up at him, smiling, and that seemed to be all he needed for an answer. From Quinn, at least. They both looked over at Maeve. 

Would we still live in your library? she said.

No. I’ve already had a word with my sister about that. There is a larger set of rooms on the third floor that we could have renovated to suit us. A little more room for all of us.

I like the room you set up for us, but I want something a little more like at home, something that feels more like a bedroom than a library. I love books, but I don’t want to live in a library.

We can do that. Dante opened his arm in invitation to Maeve. It was like she had been waiting for it. She hopped over to the couch and put her head on Dante’s shoulder so she was nose to nose with Quinn and grinning just as big.

It was a few days later that Dante came to talk to them in their morning tutoring sessions. For Quinn, it was a welcome break. The lessons seemed to focus on all the things she shouldn’t do, and what she really wanted to learn was what she could do. But she liked the room they used, and she liked the tutor well enough. Mr. Mata didn’t treat her like a little kid, as she’d expected him to. He even let her sit at a table with Maeve. Just thinking about that, Quinn puffed up her chest a little bit.

Dante dismissed Mr. Mata for a break and sat down at the table with Quinn and Maeve.

I wanted to come talk to you while your mother is getting ready, he said. You both know that we have an important meeting with my family today. 

Both girls nodded. Then we get to have lunch and explore more, said Quinn.

That’s true, Dante said. I didn’t want to make your mother more nervous about the meeting. I’ve set up a lunch for afterwards with my family—all of them. Even my youngest brother is home from America for this.

Quinn started bouncing in her seat. Can we come?

Dante shook his head. Not this time. Quinn stopped bouncing. Your mother and I would like you to have a little more practice with the tutor before you have a formal introduction to the whole family. But I was hoping you could have a meeting of your own.

Quinn felt a flutter in tummy. She straightened in her chair and looked at her big sister. Maeve seemed calm. She would try to be as well.

Maeve asked, What meeting?

Right to the point as always, Maeve, Dante said, smiling at her. I was hoping you could have lunch with my niece and nephew. Marco is ten and Annabelle is five. Would you do that for me?

Quinn resumed bouncing in her seat. Yes! she said. 

We would love to have lunch with them and get to know them, said Maeve. Where will we need to be?

Dante tapped the table. Here. When your lesson for the day is done, I’ll have Nanny Rose come down and escort you both up to the playroom. 

Still bouncing, Quinn nodded so vigorously both Dante and Maeve broke into laughter.

I believe we can, Dante, said Maeve. 

Smiling broadly, Dante stood and gave an exaggerated bow. Thank you, ladies. I appreciate it greatly. As the girls giggled, he straightened and said, If you’ll excuse me, I’ll send your tutor back in.

When Nanny Rose had come to take them through the castle to the playroom, Quinn tried her best to stay next to her sister and Rose, but she wasn’t doing a good job. There was just too much to look at. She’d start to wander towards the tables or vases or windows that lined the various halls, and Maeve kept having to tug on her hand. 

Quinn wasn’t sure how anybody could remember where they were going in the huge castle. They went up one floor and then walked down a hall with windows on the right, then up another set of stairs and into a hall with windows on the opposite side, through which she could just make out a roofline. Quinn thought maybe one side overlooked the courtyard and the other overlooked the outside of the palace.

But Maeve wouldn’t let her go look out the window. Quinn was tempted to pout about it, but it would have been all for show. She knew Maeve was just trying to keep her from getting in trouble. But still, with every step, something new came into view, and was always more interesting than whatever Maeve had kept her from investigating before.

At last, Nanny Rose stopped in front of a door and knocked. From inside, Quinn heard a soft voice say, Come in.

Rose opened the door and stepped aside so Quinn and Maeve could enter. Quinn followed her sister into the room. She saw white shelves lining the walls,  filled with books and toys and noted the two dark-haired, olive-skinned children standing quietly by a small table. They regarded Maeve and Quinn with eyes so much like Dante’s but as she got closer, Quinn saw they were dark blue rather than brown. Maeve dropped into the curtsey their tutor had taught them. Then she tugged on Quinn’s arm and Quinn remembered she was supposed to curtsey, too. 

    Good morning, Your Highnesses, said Maeve. We are very pleased to meet both of you.

    Quinn wasn’t sure if she was supposed to say anything, so she played it safe and kept her mouth shut. When she looked at the boy who she knew to be Prince Marco, she felt a funny feeling in her tummy. She inched closer to Maeve until she stood almost behind her, congratulating herself for remembering to keep her fingers behind her back when she wanted so badly to let them come to her mouth.

    Marco stepped forward. We are very happy you could join us for lunch, he said. He held out a hand to indicate his sister. This is my sister, Annabelle, and I, of course, am Marco. Please feel free to drop the titles. Uncle Dante has told us quite a bit about both of you. It feels like we know you already. Would you care to eat first, or play with some of the toys here in the playroom?

    Quinn snuck her hand into Maeve’s. Marco looked over their heads and nodded at Nanny Rose. Quinn heard the door close behind them. 

Annabelle approached them and held a hand out to Quinn. You can call me Belle—I much prefer it to Annabelle, she said. You can be my friend. We’re the same age and everything. When Quinn didn’t respond, Belle took the hand that wasn’t holding Maeve’s. I have Shopkins, she said. Uncle Dante says you love them almost as much as I do.

    I like Shopkins, Quinn said. She didn’t resist when Belle tugged on her hand to lead her across the room to one of white shelves. Belle picked a doll off the shelf and dropped down to the floor. Quinn nervously glanced back at Marco and Maeve, who were both watching her, before turning and tentatively picking up the Shopkins organizer. Quinn thought it had to have held thousands of Shopkins inside of its clear walls. 

    Uncle Dante mentioned that you liked building and designing things, Marco said to Maeve. I have an extensive Lego collection. Do you want to play with them?

    Quinn glanced back at her sister again as Maeve said Yes, and the sisters’ eyes connected. Maeve followed Marco to the window and knelt next to a table holding a massive Lego tower. 

Chapter 2

Olivia knocked on the doorframe of Mrs. Ortega’s sixth grade classroom. It had been six years since Olivia had moved her family across the world and six years since she had been in a classroom. She couldn’t help but compare her old one to the one that her daughter saw everyday. It wasn’t much different than the one Olivia had occupied in her previous life. Before she met her husband Dante, she had sat behind a desk very similar to Mrs. Ortega’s. But the posters in Olivia’s classroom were all math. Mrs. Ortega’s featured a mix of subjects, and they were gauged towards younger children than those Olivia had taught. She was here to talk to Mrs. Ortega because Quinn, who routinely scored perfect papers in previous years, was suddenly averaging an eighty-one percent in every subject.

In this this former teacher’s opinion, Quinn was a lot smarter than a B-minus student.

Duchess Palmero, Mrs. Ortega said before standing and executing a small curtsy, then finally before coming around her desk to shake the hand Olivia had extended. It’s an honor to have your daughter in my class. Won’t you please have a seat so we may discuss your concerns. Mrs. Ortega swept her arm to indicate the chair she had placed next to her desk.

Thank you, Mrs. Ortega. Olivia took a seat and Mrs. Ortega followed suit behind her desk. Olivia leaned back into her chair. I’m sorry we are having to come together under these circumstances.

Mrs. Ortega leaned forward, interlacing her fingers and resting both hands on her desk. I am sorry as well. You indicated on the phone that you were worried about Quinn’s current grades, particularly as compared to her grades in the past.

Yes, Quinn’s always been an excellent student, Olivia said. "I’m worried something is happening here at school. Bullying, maybe. Or boredom. I wanted to talk to you before I talked to her.