by Jody Hedlund
However, even with the increase in taxes, the coffers were still empty. And now, when we were faced with the rebel army, we had no financial reserves to add to our fortification. I wanted to question why we were in such dire financial straits, especially after making the people suffer through higher taxes. But this wasn’t the time to bring up such a query.
“Your Majesty,” said one of the king’s oldest and most loyal advisors. “We all agree that getting word to the Danes is the best solution. But will they come if they have no guarantee of payment?”
The king rubbed the pointed tip of his beard, his lips pressed thinly and his brows furrowed dangerously. The king was normally intuitive, quick-thinking, and decisive. But in this case, after hours of meetings, I suspected he was reaching his limit of patience, and he wasn’t an easy man to be around when he was angry.
He narrowed his eyes upon his advisor. “I charge you to find the payment for the Danes, Dobson, since you are apparently the wise one tonight.”
The room grew silent, enough so that we could hear distant shouts. Were they from the queen’s army even now advancing upon Delsworth?
All eyes fell to the table now littered with mugs, bowls, crumbs, and maps. No one dared to look up and meet the king’s gaze. And no one dared to speak, least of all Dobson.
I straightened and sat forward. Tonight wasn’t the time for the king to unleash his wrath upon his advisors. Tonight we needed to stay unified and find a solution to our monetary woes. And if I could find the treasure, I would have the solution.
“Your Majesty,” I said, breaking the tense silence. Though the king might lash out at me in anger, he wouldn’t punish me the same way he would the others. The knowledge gave me the liberty to speak more forthrightly, although I’d learned to do so carefully. “Now that we have a map of the Labyrinth of Death, I will take a detachment of my men and go after the ancient treasure.”
“We still have not confirmed the map’s accuracy,” he replied tersely.
“I shall have the princess inform me of everything she knows regarding the map.” I’d yet to ask Emmeline how it came to be in her possession, as well as the validity of it. Perhaps I’d feared that bringing it up would disturb the peace between us. But if I planned to use it to navigate the labyrinth, then I needed her to tell me whatever she knew.
I guessed we could make the trip there and back in under two weeks, especially since we could move swiftly by boat up the Central Cress River to the Iron Hills. From there we’d have a two or three days’ ride into the Highlands to the labyrinth entrance.
Delsworth could withstand a siege for a fortnight, especially if I put Dante in charge of the army in my absence.
“Yes,” the king said, some of his anger fading away. “But even if we learn the map is trustworthy, you forget something important: we lack the third key.”
“Lack of keys has never stopped me from gaining entrance to wherever I want to go.”
“The lack of the key will stop you this time. You can be sure of it.”
“Then we shall get the third key.”
The king met my gaze, his dark eyes sharp. “How?”
“We shall find out where Queen Adelaide Constance keeps it and steal it from her.” I could sense the advisors watching our interaction, their weariness now dissipating.
“She likely has it locked away somewhere in Norland for safekeeping.”
“My guess is that she brought it and hopes to gain the treasure for herself.” If she planned to attack us, she’d certainly try to reclaim the keys and go after the treasure.
“Then you think she keeps it with her?”
“We could easily kidnap one of her guards and glean the information from him.”
The king shook his head. “Even if we discover where she holds it, she will likely have it under heavy guard.”
“I shall fight them for it.”
The king was quiet for a long moment. At his new surge of interest, the others around the table had started breathing again.
“We need a better way,” the king said. “Someone with the ability to go inside and take the key.”
“A traitor?” I suggested. “One of their own who can be bribed?”
A commotion outside the antechamber door drew my attention. Already on high alert, my mind cleared and my muscles tensed. Was one of my men bringing an update?
“No!” came the guard’s voice. “You cannot disturb the king and his men.”
“I insist on seeing the prince,” came another voice, this one belonging to a woman.
Emmeline?
Shoving away from the table, I stood. In three rapid strides, I was at the door and threw it open. The burly soldier that oft served as the king’s bodyguard filled the door frame with feet spread and arms wide, a formidable and impenetrable force. Emmeline stood in front of him, her arms crossed, her shoulders rigid, her eyes heated with fury.
She was a blazing force, too, and breathtakingly beautiful with her dark hair styled in circular plaits atop her head and a gown of richest green.
At the sight of me, she lifted her chin. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Behind me, I could feel the stares of the men, including the penetrating one from the king. I had no doubt he was silently rebuking me for my wife’s behavior. Mother would never have dreamed of interrupting a meeting and demanding to see him.
Did I need to reprimand Emmeline? Ought I to chastise her to be more docile? Part of me knew Emmeline would never be quiet and calm and agreeable like my mother, and I didn’t want her to be. I liked her spark and fire and the way she made me feel alive.
Nevertheless, my backbone stiffened with the need to show the king and his advisors that I was in control of my wife, that I was still a strong man and warrior, and that I wouldn’t be manipulated by the whim of a woman. As the future king, I must demand respect, even from Emmeline.
“You cannot interrupt my meetings,” I said brusquely, lifting my chin and glaring down at her. “Whatever your concern, it must wait.”
“This cannot wait.”
“It must.” I nodded to the guard and began to close the door.
She pushed forward. “Why didn’t you tell me you captured my parents?”
I froze. In an instant, a dozen thoughts raced through my mind. The first was denial. I hadn’t captured her parents. Yes, I’d threatened to go back for them. But out of my desire to show Emmeline mercy, I’d spared Lance and Felicia’s lives.
The second was realization, and it hit me like icy water against the face. The king had done this behind my back. But why?
Had he sent out a separate contingent after learning the details from Magnus? Had he considered my decision to free them too lenient? Or had he secured them in order to hold leverage over Emmeline?
A glance at his face gave me my answer. He’d done it for all those reasons and perhaps more I didn’t yet understand.
Of course, I’d expected an elite warrior like Lance to chase after Emmline once he’d freed himself. He wouldn’t have had any trouble tracking us. But he most certainly wouldn’t have been able to travel rapidly, not with his crippled leg, not with his wife slowing him down, and not without swift horses. If he’d been captured, then he’d obviously drawn near over the past days, but not far enough to find sanctuary with the queen’s rebels.
A sliver of frustration pricked me. Lance should have gone directly to the rebel party. He’d surely picked up on their trail too. Why hadn’t he sought their aid? Was he afraid in light of the coming battle, they’d prevent him from attempting to rescue Emmeline?
At the king’s probing intensity, I kept my expression passive and willed my eyes not to show any irritation.
“Magnus just told me,” Emmeline said from where the guard was holding her back. “He said they’ve been taken to the dungeons.”
Of course, Magnus would relish stirring up discord by sharing the news with Emmeline. But why was he privy to the capture when I wasn’t? I should have been the first t
o hear of something of such importance since it had to do with my wife.
Perhaps that’s why the king had kept it from me. Perhaps he suspected I’d be weak in areas concerning Emmeline, that my attraction to her would cloud my judgment. Maybe it already had.
“I have put Magnus in charge of their discipline,” the king said matter-of-factly.
“Discipline?” Emmeline’s tone rose.
“They have committed high treason,” he continued. “And as a result, they deserve to die a traitor’s death.”
“No!” Emmeline cried out. She obviously understood what a traitor’s death entailed—slow torture over days. With Magnus in charge, the torture could last weeks. “No, you cannot put them to death. Please. They are good people.”
At the anguish in Emmeline’s tone, my gut clenched. And yet I didn’t move or take my gaze from the king’s face. He was still testing me. I could sense it.
“If not for them,” the king said, his voice taking on an edge, “I would have become the keeper of the keys and would have found the treasure years ago.”
From what I’d learned, kings of old had always been tasked with guarding the keys and keeping the three together. When Lance and Felicia had divided the princesses up for safekeeping all those years ago, they’d gone against tradition and separated the keys.
“If not for them,” the king continued, “I would not have a usurper’s army sitting on my doorstep. And if not for them, I would have peace and prosperity in my land.”
“They only did what your faithful servants would have done,” Emmeline replied, “if the situation had been reversed and your sons’ lives were at stake.”
The king pushed away from the table, clearly done with the conversation. “They deserve death, and I shall not be satisfied with anything less.”
I suspected the king’s words were for me as much as they were for Emmeline. It was his way of saying he’d been disappointed I hadn’t brought Lance and Felicia back to him so he might have the opportunity for vengeance.
“Rex, please.” Emmeline’s tone turned soft and plaintive behind me. “Do something.”
Slowly I pivoted, aware again that all eyes were upon me, especially the king’s, gauging my interaction and whether I’d remain strong and loyal to him or whether I’d give in to my wife’s pleading.
On the one hand, I understood the king’s need to punish Lance and Felicia. He must send a message to the people that he wouldn’t tolerate anyone aiding the enemy. And yet, the crime had happened long ago. Surely, the king could show some leniency.
As I met Emmeline’s expectant, even hopeful gaze, I wanted nothing more than to cross to her, sweep her into my embrace, and reassure her everything would be all right and I’d do what I could to save her parents. How could I deny her this?
But if I gave in, where would her demands stop? And what example would I set as a leader, as the future king? That I’d be swayed so easily?
I hardened my resolve and shook my head. “If the king wishes to punish them, then so be it.”
The glow in Emmeline’s eyes flickered and sputtered out. Any warmth in her expression fled, and a chill took its place, making her features rigid, almost haughty. Then she responded, “I thought you were different.” She jutted her chin. “I was wrong.”
With a final glare that dripped with disdain, she strode away. My heart lurched with the need to chase after her, to talk further and explain my decision. But I only watched her go, telling myself I’d come up with a better plan later, one that could aid her parents without undermining the king—if that was even possible.
As the king finally adjourned the meeting and the men filed out of the room, I started to leave with them, unsure whether to pursue Emmeline or let her go for now.
“Stay a moment, Rex.” The king came alongside me and clamped a hand on my shoulder. The move was meant to reassure me I’d done the right thing. Why, then, did I feel worse as I pictured the hope flickering out in Emmeline’s eyes?
I acknowledged the king’s command with a slight bow and again made sure to keep the emotion from my face. The king considered confusion and indecision a weakness. I couldn’t let him see I was experiencing both.
“Princess Emmeline is the one to gain access to the usurper’s camp,” the king said quietly, “and find the third key.”
Protest sprang to the tip of my tongue, but although I bit it back, I couldn’t keep it from my eyes. Upon seeing it, the king’s lips twisted into a slight smile. “As their lost sister, they will welcome her into their midst with open arms.”
“That does not mean they will give her the key.”
“She is clever and needs to find a way to get it.”
The king was right about Emmeline’s cleverness. Even so, I didn’t want her going into the enemy camp. Such a move was too risky and dangerous.
“Send your best men,” the king continued as though reading my mind, “and ensure her safety.”
“Once she is among them, I suspect she will not return to me.” Especially now that she was furious with me.
The king stroked his beard, his eyes narrowing in thought. “Then you must give her reason to come back.”
“What do you suggest, Your Majesty?”
“Tell her if she gets the key and returns, you will spare the life of one of her guardians—the one of her choosing.”
How could I go to Emmeline with such an ultimatum? It wouldn’t endear me to her any further. “She might do it for both lives.”
“She will do it for one.” With that, he moved away from me, signaling for his bodyguard to follow him.
As the king departed, I bowed, outwardly giving him my allegiance and respect as I’d always done. But inside, I couldn’t muster the same. Instead, uncertainty roiled around, tumbling and bumping. I wished nothing more than to shield Emmeline from the king’s plans, but how could I do so when she was right at the center of them?
Chapter
14
Emmeline
From my spot in the middle of my canopied bed, I rubbed Ruby’s stomach absently, unable to gather any enthusiasm for training her as I’d been doing the past few days.
My servants hovered on the fringes of the room, hopping at my every command, clearly sensing the change in my mood. I closed my eyes and fought back a wave of betrayal and hurt. Rex didn’t really care about me the way I thought he did. If he’d cared, he would have made some effort to listen to my pleas, to understand how important my parents were to me.
From his reaction, I’d surmised he hadn’t known about their capture until I’d told him. Even so, he could have attempted to free them instead of callously turning away from my request and supporting his father’s decision.
Tears stung, and I fought them back as I had each time I’d been tempted to cry over Rex’s choice. His loyalty to his father went deeper than his concerns for me. I supposed that was to be expected from a man who’d married me because his father had ordered it.
What if his displays of affection and gifts on our wedding day had simply been a show? What if I’d read more into his gestures than he’d meant?
I shook my head. Of course, it wasn’t all a show. The night he’d slept on my floor, he’d said he wasn’t playacting. I hadn’t misjudged him so entirely, had I?
Though I’d witnessed my parents’ love for each other and read about the emotion in books, what did I really know of love? My feelings for Rex had certainly been changing. I couldn’t deny I found him attractive and that my body responded to him in strange ways. I also couldn’t deny I admired many things about him. But how did I know if what I felt was love?
With a silent groan, I buried my face in my hands. Even if my feelings were growing, he didn’t regard me highly enough to help my parents.
My pulse sped again, just as it had when Magnus had given me the news. I ached to go to my parents, throw my arms around them, hear their voices, and see their precious faces. Through the long days of traveling to Delsworth, I’d missed them.
And now that they were here, within reach, my heart felt like it would break with the need to be with them and make sure they were kept safe.
Except they were far from safe. The glint in Magnus’s eyes had told me as much. He planned to make them suffer so that I would suffer, which would, in turn, affect my relationship negatively with Rex—as it already had.
During our travels, I’d quickly learned Magnus had one goal in life: to undermine Rex. He did so subtly, passively, with slight put-downs, misplaced comments, and snide criticism. I guessed Magnus’s attitude stemmed from jealousy. Perhaps Magnus had believed himself to be the favored son for so many years, since he’d been allowed to remain in Delsworth. Maybe once Rex had arrived and taken a role as a powerful leader, Magnus had felt pushed aside.
Whatever the case, I feared what Magnus planned to do to my parents. I wrapped my arms around my middle and bent over, fighting back my tears. Oh God, I silently called out. Keep them safe. And show me what to do and then give me the courage to do it.
I sat up and forced myself to think again, to mentally retrace the various routes for arriving at the passageway that led to the dungeons. I’d explored the castle enough that I was reasonably familiar with the layout.
Even so, getting down into the dungeons without any guards seeing me would be difficult. I had no doubt Magnus would be expecting me to attempt to free my parents and had taken extra precautions.
My chamber door opened and Rex stepped inside, glancing around until his sights landed upon me. Against my will, my heartbeat pattered faster. I didn’t want to see him or speak to him, and so I chastised myself and focused on Ruby, who’d fallen asleep in a half sprawl.
“Everyone, leave us,” Rex commanded.
The servants responded immediately, their footsteps shuffling hastily in the rushes. A moment later, the door closed with a thud. The quiet of the room made me suddenly fidgety so that I began to pet Ruby faster and with both hands.
