The King's Obsession

by Tanya Bird

She could not speak, only stare. Hanging from the wall were two corpses. It took her a moment to recognise the faces because birds had been feeding on them. A sob rose in her throat, and she could not contain it.

  ‘Well?’ he pushed.

  She removed the shaking hand from her mouth. ‘I see two dead bodies.’

  He was staring intently at her. ‘Who are they?’

  She looked away from them, but another tug on her arm made her look back. ‘The girl’s name is Velma. She is a laundry maid.’

  ‘Was a laundry maid. Now she is food for the crows. And the other?’

  She stared up at the young boy, the one Velma said she was going to marry. Tears ran down Petra’s cheeks. ‘His name was Hugon. He delivered straw to the castle.’

  ‘Now they are both dead.’

  She pressed the palm of her hand to her forehead. ‘You did not have to kill them. They knew nothing.’

  The king turned to look at the bodies. ‘In the end, it was the kind thing to do. They would never have walked again, or worked. They would have been nothing but a burden on their families.’

  Petra forced her eyes up to the wounds on their knees and the strange angle of their legs.

  ‘Spiked wooden blocks are placed behind and in front of the knee,’ Nilos explained. ‘Usually a good method for extracting information, though it proved somewhat fruitless in this instance.’

  She turned to him. ‘You… you tortured them?’

  He took a step towards her. ‘You asked them to betray their king. You tortured them.’

  He released his grip on her wrist and she stepped back before turning to be sick on the grass. Her entire body was sweating. When she was done, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and turned to him.

  ‘All right,’ she said, her tone resigned. ‘What now? What do you want me to do?’

  He still had that crazed look in his eyes as he came towards her. Reaching up, he ran a finger down her cheek, neck and collarbone. ‘You left me.’

  She struggled to hold his gaze. ‘Well I am back now. I am right here.’

  His hand fell away. ‘I could barely function with you gone. My sons thought I had gone mad.’

  Another wave of nausea.

  ‘Felipe told me I was being reckless, that I would lose my throne if I did not stop. He has barely spoken two words to me since I sent men into Syrasan. But you know why I did, do you not?’

  ‘You wanted me back,’ she whispered.

  He shook his head. ‘No, I needed you back. You took the air from my lungs the day you left.’ He stared at her as though waiting for her to say something. ‘And now I must find a way to forgive you, and you must find a way to earn back my trust.’

  She was silent.

  ‘You can start by telling me where the boy is.’

  So they had not caught them. That meant Leksi was alive, or at least alive when he arrived. She tried not to let her relief show. She could not think about them, not while King Nilos’s eyes burned through her. ‘I have no way of knowing.’

  ‘You should have let him alone.’

  She drew a breath for courage. ‘Father Gabot was not fit to raise him.’

  His eyes were fixed on hers. ‘Tell me you did not leave this life, leave me, for that bastard child.’

  She flinched. ‘He is my son. He is your son.’ Her eyes pleaded with him. ‘He deserves to be with people who will love him.’

  The king’s mouth pressed into a thin line. ‘That boy has been a thorn in my side since his birth. The day he was born was the day I lost you.’

  You never had me, she wanted to scream. Her hands were curled into fists, and she made an effort to relax them.

  ‘You think he is better off in the hands of our enemy?’ he asked when she did not reply.

  His enemies, not hers. She had no doubt he was better off in Leksi’s hands. Nothing the king said could make her second-guess her decision. ‘I did what I thought was best at the time.’

  He shook his head. ‘When I find him, perhaps I will teach you a lesson that will last a lifetime,’ Nilos said. He glanced at the bodies on the wall. ‘It was Prince Tyron who helped you, was it not? His men protected you, and now they protect the boy.’ He stared. ‘The question is why?’

  She held his gaze. ‘The princess is a mother who understands what it means to be separated from your child. I threw myself at her mercy. She did not care that I was Corneon or that Xander is your son.’

  ‘You are a fool, and you should pray I get him back before King Pandarus gets his hands on him.’

  She shook her head. ‘I could not let him grow up thinking he has to pay for my sins.’

  He leaned closer. ‘You have put a target on his back.’ Looking her up and down, he added, ‘Go clean yourself up. I will send for you later.’

  Chapter 25

  All eyes were on Leksi as he lay on his stomach in the crowded bedchamber, the physician leaning over him, tending to his wounds. Everyone was squashed into the stuffy room, looking between him and the frightened boy sitting at his side. Leksi knew he was the closest thing he had to a trusted adult at that moment.

  ‘It’s all right,’ he reassured Xander.

  The boy looked down at him. ‘Are you going to die?’

  ‘Not today,’ Leksi replied with a wink.

  Aldara stepped up to the bed and crouched in front of Xander. With a warm smile, she said, ‘I bet you are hungry. Would you like to come with me and get some food?’ She offered him her hand.

  The boy glanced at Leksi, who gave him an encouraging nod. He hesitantly took the princess’s hand and was led from the room.

  Once they had gone, King Pandarus pushed off the wall he had been leaning against and ran a hand down his face.

  ‘Just so I am clear with regards to the mess we are in, we have gone from having the Corneon king’s mistress to now having the bastard child they share?’

  Tyron drew a long breath, his hands resting on his hips. ‘He has what he really wants. The boy is just a pawn.’

  Pandarus waved him off. ‘So you keep telling me, but am I to assume he will come looking for the boy next?’

  ‘He doesn’t care about Xander,’ Leksi said, wincing as the physician poured liquid on the wound. He had made it to Lord Belen’s manor without too much difficulty, aside from nearly fainting a few times. Upon his arrival, he had let one of the men tend the wound, requested a fresh horse, and taken Xander straight to Archdale. Now he just needed to convince his king to let the boy remain in Syrasan.

  ‘You are lucky the guards at the gates even let you in,’ the king said, crossing his arms. ‘I would have let you bleed out on the other side of the wall. It was Tyron who insisted I open the gate, despite the fact that you directly disobeyed orders.’ Tyron went to speak and he raised a hand to silence him. ‘If either of you tries to tell me Syrasan’s most highly skilled knight was outsmarted by an unarmed woman who fled on foot, I will lock you in the tower myself.’

  Tyron put his hands up in mock defence.

  ‘I will not risk my men for this noble cause of yours,’ Pandarus continued. ‘I do not care if she aided your escape from Masville. That boy goes back at the first sign of trouble.’ He took a step towards Leksi, pointing at him. ‘And any further insubordination from you, and I will hand you over as well, let King Nilos sort you out.’ Turning, he headed for the door. ‘The child cannot stay here. I will not have my enemy’s bastard living under my roof.’ He opened the door and exited without bothering to close it behind him.

  The physician finished tending Leksi’s wound, looked between the two men, packed his bag and silently left the room.

  Leksi turned his head to meet Tyron’s disappointed gaze.

  ‘He was not joking, you know. I practically had to beg to get that gate opened for you. What happened?’

  Where to begin? He did not have it in him to lie to the man who was the closest thing he had to family. So he told him everything—excluding, of course, the part where he had brok
en his promise and slept with the mentor under his protection.

  When he had finished talking, he waited for Tyron to say something. The prince’s gaze seemed to go right through him.

  ‘Oh no,’ Tyron said after a long silence. ‘Tell me you did not sleep with the king’s mistress.’

  Leksi hesitated a fraction too long before answering. Tyron exhaled loudly, then walked over to sit on the bed. He leaned his elbows on his knees and stared down at his boots.

  ‘I have always believed who you invite into your bed is your business, but you have been overstepping some rather big boundaries of late. First Lord Belen’s daughter—’

  ‘That was different.’

  ‘How?’

  ‘It was just a bit of fun.’

  ‘Lord Belen will be pleased to hear that.’ Tyron looked at him. ‘This is a new low for you. You were supposed to protect her, not take advantage.’

  The words stung. Leksi propped himself up on his good arm. ‘I didn’t force myself on her, if that’s what you’re implying.’

  ‘I never said that—’

  ‘You just described my actions as low.’

  ‘All right, careless, then.’ Tyron stood. ‘My fault though. I should have sent someone else.’

  ‘You mean someone you trust?’

  Tyron shook his head. ‘I trust you, just not when it comes to women.’ He gave a small smile, no doubt hoping to lessen the blow of his words.

  They rarely fought, and it was uncomfortable for both of them, but Leksi was not going to have the previous few months reduced to lack of impulse control. ‘I’ll leave with the boy as soon as I’m able.’ His tone was cold. ‘Take him somewhere safe.’

  A smile tugged at Tyron’s mouth. ‘You know nothing of caring for a child.’

  ‘So send a governess with me.’

  ‘Why? So you can bed her?’

  With his fists clenched, Leksi moved to sit up, wincing as he did so.

  The smile left Tyron’s face. ‘What is the matter with you?’ he asked, frowning.

  What was the matter? He had ridden away and left her behind, knowing she would be caught. He had failed. And now he was going to make damn sure nothing happened to Xander.

  He said none of those things aloud, instead shaking his head and opening his hands. ‘I’m tired. I need rest.’ He looked up at Tyron. ‘Can I trust that Xander will still be here when I wake?’

  The prince watched him for a moment. ‘Why would you ask me that?’

  ‘That is why Pandarus asked Petra to be brought here, is it not? So he could hand her over?’

  Tyron’s eyes darkened. ‘There were Corneon soldiers swarming the kingdom. I wanted you to bring her here to regroup and figure out a plan.’ He paused. ‘I was also worried about you.’

  Leksi drew his eyebrows together. ‘Why?’

  ‘Because your father died, and for some reason you chose not to tell me.’ He sighed. ‘I was worried for good reason, it seems. What were you thinking, taking her into Corneo without permission? Or even a sensible plan, for that matter? There are easier ways to impress a woman.’

  ‘You think I did all that to impress a woman?’

  ‘I don’t know anymore. Perhaps your grief impaired your judgement.’

  Leksi waved him off. ‘You know me well enough to know I wouldn’t waste grief on that man.’

  Tyron watched him. ‘Actually, I think I know you a little better than that.’

  Leksi slowly lay back down on the bed. ‘I’m beginning to think you don’t know me at all.’

  The prince sighed. ‘I cannot tell if this is your grief speaking or if you are just embarrassed by recent events. We are on the same side here.’ He was quiet for a moment. ‘Let’s speak after you have slept. I know what lack of sleep can do to a man’s mind.’

  Leksi closed his eyes. ‘Is there any way we can get an update on Petra’s whereabouts?’

  ‘We both know the king has her by now. But I will see what I can find out.’

  Leksi hung his good arm over his face to try and ease the pounding in his head. ‘Thank you.’ The last thing he heard was footsteps headed for the door before sleep took him.

  Leksi woke to blazing eastern light streaming through the windows. That meant he had slept for an entire day and night.

  He propped himself up on one elbow and looked around the room. Charis was asleep in a chair next to him. Leksi picked up his pillow and threw it at his squire. Charis startled awake and sat up straight in the chair, his gaze darting about in confusion before finally settling on Leksi.

  ‘My lord!’ he said, scrambling to his side. ‘Thank God you’re alive.’

  Leksi swung his legs over the edge of the bed and glanced at his bandaged shoulder, which continued to throb. ‘Of course I’m alive. When did you get here?’

  ‘Last night. Lord Yuri and Lady Hali brought me.’

  ‘They’re here?’

  The squire nodded. ‘Lady Hali is in the bailey with Petra’s son. She’s teaching him to play chess.’

  Her name stung him. He needed to go see Xander. He would probably be overwhelmed by strangers gushing over him.

  As he stood, Tyron’s words returned to him. ‘What do you know about caring for a child?’ He would soon find out.

  ‘Help me change,’ Leksi said.

  Charis sprang into action, fetching clothes and filling a basin with water. When Leksi had finished dressing, they headed outside, where he found Hali and Aldara seated on a blanket with all the children, including the king’s. He watched Xander for a moment before wandering over to join them.

  Aldara stood when she saw him approaching.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ she asked.

  ‘Fine, thank you.’

  ‘Sir Leksi,’ Hali said, running her fingers over Xander’s hair before standing. She spoke in a low voice. ‘How many lives do you have?’

  ‘A few, it seems.’

  Hali let out a breath. ‘What an incredible woman Petra is, returning to that sadistic man so her son could have the life she wanted for him.’

  Why did every mention of her name feel like his wounds were being reopened? He watched Xander, saying nothing.

  ‘She figured a way out once before. Perhaps she will do it again,’ Hali added.

  Aldara looked down at the children. ‘King Nilos will not be letting her out of his sight any time soon. If he genuinely loved her, I could envision an end to her sentence, but from what I witnessed during my time at Masville, the king’s feelings stem from a very unhealthy place.’

  He really wished they would stop talking.

  ‘I think the fact that he sent armed men into Syrasan supports your theory. He sounds like a madman.’

  Leksi took an involuntary step back from them, and both women looked at him in surprise.

  ‘Are you all right?’ Aldara asked.

  ‘Of course he’s not all right,’ Hali said. ‘Our knight took quite a shine to the mentor. You should’ve seen the two of them together.’

  Leksi took another step back. ‘Where’s Tyron?’ he asked, looking at Aldara. ‘I need to speak with him.’

  ‘He will be along shortly,’ she replied. ‘We were thinking the two of you could return east with us. You would remain his guardian, of course. I believe that is what Petra wanted.’

  There was that name again. He looked down. ‘Tyron agreed to that?’

  ‘Of course.’

  Before she could say anything else, Tyron came striding across the lawn towards them. Leksi watched him approach, unsure what to expect from the conversation.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ Tyron asked.

  ‘Fine.’

  ‘Has the physician seen you this morning?’

  ‘Not yet. Any news?’

  Tyron nodded. ‘Some. King Nilos has sent additional men to the West, no doubt searching for the boy. Lord Belen suspects they are preparing to breach the border. It is not safe to take Xander to Wripis.’

  ‘I agree,’ Leksi said.
<
br />   Xander got to his feet and wandered over to stand with Leksi. ‘When will my mother be here?’

  All eyes went to him as Leksi crouched beside him.

  ‘She really wanted to be here with you, but King Nilos needs her at Masville right now.’

  He appeared disappointed. ‘What about Father Gabot? Is he coming?’

  Leksi swallowed. ‘No. Father Gabot is not the right person to care for you.’

  ‘I don’t mind. Will you take me home?’

  ‘What if Sir Leksi took care of you?’ Hali asked in her most uplifting tone.

  Xander turned to her. ‘Is he my father?’

  Leksi cleared his throat. ‘No, but I’m your guardian until your mother decides otherwise.’

  Curious eyes returned to him. ‘But you love her?’

  An enormous question asked in front of a very attentive audience. He was rarely at a loss for words, but none of his usually witty deflection came to him.

  ‘I saw her crying. She didn’t want to say goodbye to you.’

  Leksi stared into the boy’s wise, inquisitive eyes. Sharp and intelligent, just like his mother’s. ‘I thought you were asleep. Why didn’t you say something?’

  ‘Because she was already crying.’

  Leksi cleared his throat. ‘Would you like to stay with me for a while?’

  ‘Where?’

  Leksi looked up at Tyron. ‘I could take him to the coast, back to the house.’

  ‘We would be nearby to help,’ Hali offered.

  Tyron glanced at Aldara before looking down at Xander. ‘Would you like to go see the ocean with Sir Leksi?’

  Xander thought for a moment. ‘Will my mother know where to find us when she’s done?’

  A sniff from Hali, and Tyron’s arm went around his wife. Princess Zelia chose that moment to upturn the chess table onto the blanket, squealing with delight as she did so. The other children complained, but no one moved.

  ‘Yes,’ Leksi said with a nod. ‘She knows where to go, but it’ll probably just be us for some time.’

  His expression said he was still not completely sold on the idea. ‘Is there a church at the ocean? We’ll need to pray—a lot.’

  ‘Veanor has one of the most beautiful churches in the kingdom,’ Hali said.