Island in the Forest

by Jeanne Hardt

  Sebastian frowned and shook his head. “Then it appears what I have come to tell you concerns her as well. This was plunged into my door this morning.” He produced a knife and piece of parchment.

  “What is that?”

  He handed her the letter. As she read, her heart ached, then anger consumed her. She wanted to crumple the parchment, yet held back. Her father needed to see it. “It surely must be from Donovan.”

  “As I surmised. So, how do you suppose it came to be stuck in my door?”

  “Donovan has many friends. Rosalie can attest to that. They align themselves to him because they fear what he might do if they turn against him.”

  “Yes,” Rosalie said. “Even Dane fears him. If a man can threaten his own brother, he has no heart. Donovan will not stop until he sees you dead . . . Your Highness.” She bowed, then backed away.

  Olivia put her arms around Sebastian and laid her head on his chest. His heart beat strong against her cheek. “I cannot lose you. Not now.”

  He gently raked his fingers through her hair. The sensation moved her, yet did nothing to calm her worries. “You will not lose me, but we must address the king. I may have to fight for your freedom. There may be bloodshed, but I shall do everything possible to keep your father from being overthrown. His fear should not be of me or Basilia, it should rest on those within Padrida.”

  “I know,” she whispered, then shut her eyes and held him tighter. His closeness gave her much-needed strength.

  “Olivia.” He kissed the top of her head. “I shall leave you to dress. I will wait in the hallway, but we must go at once.”

  The reality of their situation struck hard. Somehow, they had to avoid bloodshed.

  Sebastian released her, then peeked into the hallway before exiting. “Hurry,” he whispered, then shut the door behind him.

  Rosalie hastened to her, holding a green day dress draped over her arm. “I’ll help you.” She cast a broad smile. “I agree with you. Your prince is by far more handsome than Donovan or any other man in Padrida.”

  Olivia placed her palm against the door. “His heart makes him so.”

  * * *

  With all the important issues facing him, Sebastian had no place for thoughts of how extraordinary Olivia appeared in her nightclothes.

  He needed to set his mind right, as difficult as it might be. Not only did she look ravishing, she smelled like violets. How was it that the fair sex could torment a man simply by their being?

  A tall, muscular guard approached and brought Sebastian to his senses. He tensed and instinctively touched the hilt of his sword, preparing for a fight. His heartbeat quickened.

  The man scowled. “Why do you stand by the door of the princess?” He too, fingered his weapon.

  Sebastian held his head high. “I have been given free rein within the castle walls by the king himself. I am certain you are aware of his orders.”

  The guard shortened the distance between them. “Yes. I am also aware the king made his decree after heavy fever. None of us believe him to be in his right mind.” The tall guard stood eye-to-eye with him. “Regardless of his decree, your Basilian blood will never be allowed to mix with that of our princess.”

  “You speak treason against the king. Do you wish to join Donovan in shackles?”

  Quick as a whip, the man jumped back and drew his sword. Sebastian responded just as fast. As the guard’s blade came toward him, he met it with his own. Metal against metal clashed hard and resonated through the corridor.

  The man proved to be better than Sebastian expected. However, years of sparring with Jonah had taught him well. This guard would not best him.

  Sebastian readjusted his stance to accommodate their difference in height.

  This was no playful spar. The man wanted his blood. To Sebastian’s advantage, the enraged guard failed to properly follow through.

  Sebastian did not want to kill him, but it might be necessary to wound him.

  Olivia flung open her door. “Roderick! Stop this at once!”

  The man ignored her and lunged at Sebastian. Perhaps he thought Sebastian would be foolish enough to be distracted by her. His training overrode all feelings and kept him focused on the man’s sword. It passed within inches of his chest.

  He decided to give the man something to ponder. With a twist of his wrist, Sebastian sliced his blade across Roderick’s cheek. Blood trickled from the open wound.

  “Damn you!” Roderick lunged again.

  Sebastian had hoped the wound might discourage him and cause him to drop his weapon. It had the opposite effect. It seemed to have elevated his determination.

  Sebastian needed to end this.

  After a parry from Roderick’s thrust, he whipped his body around and used his elbow to drive Roderick to the ground. The man attempted to flip over and raise his sword, but Sebastian pushed hard with his foot and pinned him to the floor. His blade rested at Roderick’s throat.

  “Do you yield?” Sebastian kept his sword positioned to kill.

  Roderick snarled, breathing heavily.

  “He yields.” Olivia hissed out the words, then hovered over the man. “How dare you challenge him? He is our guest.”

  “A guest?” Roderick spit out the words. “Has he already bed you and poisoned your mind against your own people?”

  She glared at him, bent down, and picked up his sword. “Sebastian, bring him to his feet.”

  He sheathed his sword and did as she requested.

  “Hold him.” Olivia breathed hard. Fire filled her eyes.

  Sebastian stood behind him and locked Roderick’s arms with his own, holding him firm. He fully understood that Olivia prepared to display her authority in more than words.

  She faced Roderick squarely, then slapped him hard. He flinched, and she struck him again, paying no regard to his open wound and the blood on her palm. “You defy your king and speak words of shame against me. You will find yourself in darkness before the day ends.”

  Roderick struggled, but Sebastian kept him in place. “Go on and imprison me. There are others who will rise up. We grow in number every day. We will not stand by and have Padrida tainted with the likes of him.” He spat at Sebastian’s feet.

  “Donovan has poisoned your mind,” Olivia said. “He is the evil one in Padrida, not Sebastian. Open your eyes and see I speak the truth.”

  “You are the blinded one.” Roderick leered at Olivia, then turned his head and looked at no one.

  Olivia rested her hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. “We must go to my father. Can you bring him, or shall I engage another guard to help?”

  “I can manage him. Especially since we know not which guards can be trusted.”

  Roderick snorted and chuckled, affirming Sebastian’s point.

  With Roderick’s sword still in her grasp, Olivia followed Sebastian down the hallway to the king’s chamber. He kept a tight hold on Roderick, but he assumed if the man happened to slip from his grasp, Olivia would run him through.

  His respect for her had doubled. She behaved more royal than Princess Angeline, regardless of her ancestry. His parents would surely see her fineness and accept her as so.

  Chapter 26

  Olivia’s hand stung, but it mattered not. She would strike Roderick a third time if need be. How dare he make such insinuations?

  She tightened her fist, wishing she had broken his nose.

  Korvin stood guard at the king’s chamber door. Roderick had probably coerced him into taking his place. With all the chaos in Padrida, a guard as inexperienced as Korvin should not be given such duty, but Roderick likely wanted the king poorly protected.

  Korvin stared at her. “Your Highness.” His cheeks flushed red. “You’re looking . . . well again . . . today.” He squeaked out the words.

  He certainly acted odd. Perhaps he had noticed the blood on her hands. “Thank you, Korvin.” She smiled at him, fearing he might buckle at the knees. “Is Father awake?” She gestured to Roderick and Sebastian. “A
s you can see, we have an issue to address.”

  “Issue?” Roderick sneered.

  Sebastian thumped him on the head, and he snapped his mouth shut.

  Korvin eyed them strangely, then returned his attention to her. “Yes, he is, Princess Olivia.” He grinned like a love-sick boy. “Wait here, and I shall announce you.” He disappeared into her father’s chamber.

  “Sebastian?” She put her back to the door and faced him. “Did you find his behavior slightly odd?”

  Stranger yet, Sebastian was chuckling. Her world had been turned upside-down and the man she loved chose to laugh.

  She crossed her arms. “Why do you find this amusing?”

  “Forgive me, Olivia.” He tightened his grip on Roderick. “If I am not mistaken, Korvin served as guard yesterday on the wall walk.” His brows lifted in a knowing fashion.

  “Oh, my . . .” The truth of the situation sunk in. Korvin had been the one who had flirted with Sebastian, believing him to be her.

  Korvin reappeared with the king on his heels. “He will see you now.” The young guard cast his eyes on her again, then bustled to the wall and stood erect.

  “Yes, I will see you now,” her father grumbled and waved them into his room.

  As soon as they were all in his chamber, he slammed the door and scowled at Sebastian. “Why does this man hold my guard?”

  It seemed Sebastian had become a simple man again.

  Olivia would have nothing of it. She erupted and recanted the tale, then produced the knife and parchment.

  Her ranting only spiked her father’s ire. “Do you see what he has brought upon our kingdom? I allow him to stay because of my love for you, yet his presence has turned my people against me!”

  “You see!” Roderick cried. “He knows the face of evil.” He twisted his head around and glared at Sebastian. “Now, unhand me!”

  Sebastian stood firm.

  “Father?” Olivia tried to calm herself. “He demeaned me.”

  “And,” Sebastian added, “he said you were not in your right mind, Your Majesty. He claimed fever has impaired your judgment.”

  “Perhaps it has,” her father said. “I cannot have Padrida rise against me for the sake of my daughter’s infatuation. There are others in our kingdom she can name as suitor.” He jerked his head toward Roderick. “Release him.”

  “No, Father!” Olivia could scarcely hold her composure. How could he play with her heart this way? Was he truly not sorry for taking her mother from the baker?

  His eyes narrowed. “Do not challenge me, daughter. I said to release Roderick, and I expect to be obeyed.”

  A shiver crept down her spine. She turned to Sebastian and nodded.

  His expression was anything but pleased, yet he complied and let Roderick go. Roderick yanked his sword from Olivia’s grasp, then raced from the room.

  She hurried to her father’s side. “You have made a horrible mistake. You read the letter. I know Donovan wrote it, and it was probably Roderick or Wittek who delivered it. They plot against you.”

  “No.” He strode across the room and stood face to face with Sebastian. “They plot against him. He is the cause of our turmoil.”

  Sebastian shook his head, saying nothing.

  Her father’s words crushed her heart, but she refused to cry. “Do you so easily forget Donovan’s treason? He plotted to kill you.” She put herself between her father and Sebastian. “Did you also forget how he shamed me and intended to take my life as well? Donovan is the evil one. Sebastian and his people are the only hope we have of stopping his plans to take your throne. Had Sebastian not come, all would have been lost.” She searched the man’s eyes, praying for a glimmer of understanding.

  He diminished right there in front of her. His shoulders slumped, and his face fell. The anger in his eyes vanished, and he trudged away from them and sat on the edge of his bed. “I know not what to do any longer. I have never been confronted with such things.” He wrung his hands. “My authority is in question. I have lost control of my men . . .” He gazed toward Sebastian. “I do not deserve a kingdom.”

  Olivia rushed to him and knelt at his feet. “Do not speak so. You have always been wise and made honorable decisions, but you must see reason. If you allow Donovan to continue corrupting our people, we will lose everything. You are still king. You live and breathe, but you must regain your pride. Do not allow Donovan to use Sebastian as a means to do his evil will.”

  She took hold of his cold dry hands. “And yes, I love Sebastian. More than I realized. And if you allow him, he can unite our kingdoms and make us strong again.”

  “No,” he whispered.

  “Why?” She grasped his hand even tighter. “Even before Sebastian came to us I wondered how Padrida could go on. Our land is becoming overcrowded. More women give birth than funeral pyres burn. Soon, we shall not have enough food. We must rebuild the bridge and allow our people their freedom.”

  Sebastian stood over her shoulder. “Your Majesty, Basilia thrives. If we join our kingdoms, all will prosper. Our men and women can intermarry. This will strengthen our bloodlines.” He kneeled beside her and took her hand from her father’s. “If I wed your daughter, I shall make her high queen over all the realms.”

  Olivia’s heart pounded. If only her father would show a simple sign of acceptance.

  Sebastian’s thumb caressed her skin, giving her hope and accelerating her heartbeat even more.

  Though her father was a large man, he looked small and defeated. “What of our law? No one can leave.” Emotionless, he said the words like a recitation.

  She peered into his face. “Who wrote the law?”

  “King Jordan, your great-great grandfather.” He grunted. “Do not patronize me.”

  “I am not, Father. Are you not as great a king?”

  “I have my doubts.”

  “Are you not entitled to make laws, or rebuke them if you see they are unjust?”

  He swallowed hard and shifted his eyes back and forth between Sebastian and her. “Of course.”

  Her heart pounded out of her chest. Never had she felt such hope. “Then, make a new law. Allow Sebastian’s people to rebuild our bridge, then unlock the gate and set our people free.”

  He breathed harder and harder, all the while his brows wove together.

  Silence hung around them. Sebastian’s touch intensified, yet he remained quiet, just as she did.

  Waiting . . .

  “I am the king,” he finally said. “If I decree a new law, my people must obey it. Am I not right?”

  “Yes, Father.” Olivia nearly came out of her skin.

  He eyed Sebastian. “How much do you love my daughter?”

  Sebastian locked his fingers with hers. “More than I love myself. I would give up my throne for her, but I would much rather build it together for the welfare of all our people.”

  “Hmm…” Her father tilted his head, then shifted his gaze to her. “And what about you, daughter? Do you pledge yourself to this man?”

  “With all my heart.”

  He lightly patted her cheek. “My little Livvy. You have never been content here.” He let out a loud sigh. “And now, it seems you shall be high queen. What more could a father wish for his child?”

  Tears trickled down her face. “Shall I send for the scribe?”

  “Yes.” Her father uttered the word, acting quite confused in his own right at his agreement. “Yes, I shall make a decree.”

  Olivia flung her arms around his enormous neck, then kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Father.”

  Commotion in the hallway brought them all to their feet.

  Korvin flung the door open and burst into the room. “Your Majesty…” His face had turned ashen. “Donovan . . .” The young guard appeared slightly crazed and looked wildly about.

  Sebastian placed an arm around Olivia’s waist. “Go on. Tell us.”

  Korvin’s eyes widened. “Word has come he was seen fleeing into the orchard. Someone set him
free.”

  “Bring the guards!” Her father pushed him toward the hallway. “All of them! At once!”

  “Yes, Your Majesty!” Korvin sped down the corridor.

  The mere mention of Donovan extinguished Olivia’s joy. Even with Sebastian’s strong arm wrapped about her, she felt vulnerable. Too many men showed loyalty to Donovan, and they were all in danger.

  Her father lifted the Crenian blade from the table where she had placed it and closely examined it. “This was removed from the library. It was encased with another similar blade. We must search every corner of Padrida until Donovan is found.”

  Multiple footsteps approached, yet few in number. Her father’s head drew back. “Where are the rest of my men?”

  “Gone, sire,” Gerard said and nervously fidgeted with his sword.

  “Gone?”

  Gerard nodded, frowning.

  Being in Padrida, they could not go far. The absence of Roderick and Wittek brought no surprise to Olivia. No doubt they were with Donovan.

  “Olivia,” Sebastian earnestly said. “We must gather your mother and her ladies, as well as Rosalie and Dane. Anyone within the castle who is loyal to the king. Do you have an inner keep?”

  “Yes. Behind the great hall. It has but one entrance.”

  “Good. That is where we must go. It will be easier to protect you there.”

  Her father stepped close to Sebastian. “You fear my wife is in danger?”

  “We all are. Your men have betrayed you, Your Majesty. If we do not act in haste, you shall see unwanted bloodshed.”

  “I’ll see to the ladies,” Gerard said. “I will get them safely to the keep.”

  Olivia smiled. “Thank you, Gerard. But please be wary.”

  He hurried away.

  Aside from Korvin, only Alwin and Valen awaited their orders. Being few in number, they decided to stay together and proceeded to the queen’s chamber. Olivia and her father went in to collect her mother, while the others waited in the hallway.