by Jody Hedlund
“What are you standing and waiting for?” Magnus waved impatiently at several guards who stood on the fringes of the gathering. “Capture her. Now!”
As additional soldiers advanced, I crouched lower, the whip in one hand, my knife in my other. I wasn’t a warrior princess like Adelaide, but with my father’s training and now God’s courage, I wouldn’t back down from the challenge. I’d fight until Rex had the chance to get away.
“Set Prince Ethelrex free,” I called to the soldier who’d given me his whip. A second later, at the jangle of iron against iron, I was relieved to see he was obeying. As the shackles fell from Rex, he slid down the post into a heap.
I caught movement from the periphery of the castle, and I prayed more of Adelaide’s men were penetrating the inner bailey. However, with Magnus’s soldiers advancing, I had to stay focused, twirling the whip up and moving it faster in front of me. It sliced through the air with a sharp snap.
Even as I provided a shield in front of Rex and myself, Magnus’s guards spread out and formed a circle around us. As they neared, the soldier who’d freed Rex unsheathed his sword, apparently willing to fight the onslaught. I welcomed his aid, but two against six or seven would make us easy targets. Nevertheless, I steeled myself to do battle.
At a command from one of the men, Magnus’s knights converged at the same time.
Once, I would have been frightened. But a strange calm settled over me—the same calm I’d experienced when facing the beast in the labyrinth. Was it possible that when we made up our minds to face our monsters, God gave us the right amount of courage at the exact moment we needed it?
I swung my knife while spinning with the whip, hoping to rake the sharp cords across as many of the soldiers as possible. A roar rose behind me at the same time that Rex sprang from the ground. In one swift movement, he reached for the sword of the soldier who’d set him free and sliced the three men advancing at my rear. Each man fell, one after another, crying out with pain.
Meanwhile, I unleashed the whip against the frontal attackers. While the momentum stopped two soldiers, several more pressed onward, close enough that I swiped with my knife only to miss.
At my failed momentum, one of the men grabbed my arm while the other yanked the whip from my other hand. Though I thrashed to free myself, they clung tightly. But Rex spun upon them, again roaring his fury. They shrank back but were too late. One swipe of Rex’s sword dropped them to the ground where they lay unmoving.
Rex swept up an abandoned sword and then straightened, weapons in both hands, his feet spread apart, the muscles in his bare arms bulging. I retrieved the whip so that I was well armed and ready to continue to fight next to him.
The inner bailey was silent with all eyes upon us.
Magnus stood stiffly on the forebuilding and motioned to several other guards at the gate. “Get him and then kill him.”
The soldiers hesitated—out of fear of fighting Rex or loyalty to him, I didn’t know. Either way, if they advanced, they’d soon find themselves dead at Rex’s feet.
A piercing whistle rent the air. It came from behind Magnus on the forebuilding. He spun only to find himself surrounded by Adelaide’s warriors. Throughout the inner bailey, along the wall, in the gatehouse, and even on the outskirts of the gathering, her soldiers stepped from their hiding places, showing themselves and their weapons and easily disarming the rest of Magnus’s knights.
Adelaide herself strode out the castle door confidently and regally to the place Magnus had stood only moments before. Still attired in her armor, she shed her chain mail hood, revealing her long, golden hair, making her beautiful and fierce at the same time. As she swept her gaze over the assembly, she ended at Magnus, who was cursing and struggling against the men who now held him.
“I am Adelaide Constance Dierdal Aurora, the true queen and heir of the house of Mercia.” Her voice carried forcefully and clearly across the bailey. “If you bow your knee to me and acknowledge me as the rightful ruler of Mercia, I shall restore your land, your prosperity, and your safety. I shall show you the mercy and kindness you long for.”
Magnus spat at Adelaide’s feet. “You are the usurper and will never be accepted here. I shall never bow my knee.”
Adelaide narrowed her eyes upon the young man. “So be it. You have sealed your fate.” Her gaze swept over the gathering and came to rest upon Rex.
For the first time since I’d started the fight for his life, my stomach quivered with fear. Even with his back bruised with welts, Rex was easily the strongest man there, possibly the strongest in all the Great Isle. He was a dangerous opponent. And his presence was commanding. If Adelaide eliminated him, she’d secure her reign and never have to worry about him challenging her.
Even as I fought against my urge to plead for his life, Rex began to cross the bailey, swords at his side, his focus locked upon Adelaide.
Christopher stepped next to Adelaide, his bow fitted with an arrow aimed at Rex’s heart. The large guard, Firmin, and his retinue broke away from the perimeter and pushed toward Rex.
Adelaide raised her hand. “Let him come.”
The men halted but kept their eyes upon the prince.
As Rex reached the foot of the forebuilding, he jabbed first one sword into the ground, then the other, the thud of metal against earth echoing ominously. Then he lowered himself onto one knee, bowed his head, and spoke in a clear voice, “I acknowledge you as the true queen and rightful heir of Mercia.”
At the sight of their warrior prince bowing in subservience to Adelaide, the servants began to lower themselves until every person in the bailey knelt with bent head.
When only Adelaide’s soldiers remained standing, my throat constricted at the realization of what Rex had just done. He’d not only handed over the authority to Adelaide, but he’d led the way for his people to do so as well avoiding bloodshed and bringing about peace.
Tears stung my eyes—tears of love and sorrow. In laying aside his rights in order to save his people, he’d proven himself to be a worthy prince. Perhaps he would have made a good and kind king and ruled with justice and fairness in a way his father never had.
But now, he’d never get the chance to find out.
Chapter
27
Rex
“I’ve come to see the prince.” Emmeline’s voice sounded outside my tower prison.
I pushed up from my bed and winced at the pain in my back.
“Your Highness,” the guard replied. “He’s not allowed any visitors.”
“I’m not just any visitor. I am his wife.”
Wife. My mind flashed to the image of Emmeline earlier today when she’d rescued me from the whipping. As she’d faced the oncoming soldiers, her brown eyes had flashed with both fury and determination. She’d never been more beautiful.
With Magnus looking on, I’d never been more frightened for her life, not even when we’d been down in the bowels of the labyrinth. I’d realized I had no choice but to defeat Magnus’s loyal guards so they couldn’t capture Emmeline and hand her over to Magnus who would torture her in order to make me his puppet.
In fact, I’d been so angry with her for walking into the midst of the courtyard and right into Magnus’s clutches that I’d nearly gone mad waiting for the guard to set me free. Even then, I’d pretended to be weak until Magnus’s men were nearly upon us before I’d risen and taken them by surprise.
When the queen had finally made her appearance, I’d wanted to fall down and weep with relief that Magnus wouldn’t be able to get Emmeline, that she was safe. I’d willingly handed the kingdom over to Queen Adelaide Constance, especially since it meant Magnus could no longer have it.
“You must let me in,” Emmeline insisted.
“The queen said the prince isn’t to have any visitors except those who are tending to his wounds.”
I moved to the edge of the bed. Maribel had already bandaged my back shortly after I’d been ushered to the tower. Her husband, Lord Chambers, a
nd several other soldiers had come with her and stood guard as she’d cleaned and dressed my wounds. Some ran deep, but thankfully I hadn’t suffered the flogging for long and the soldier hadn’t put his full force into the beating.
“Of course the queen would allow me,” Emmeline said confidently. “You needn’t worry.”
“I should check with the earl, Your Highness,” the guard said.
“I’ll not take long. I promise.”
After several moments of silence, keys rattled in the door. At the squeal of the hinges, I reached for the coverlet and draped it around my torso. Maribel had insisted the wounds be left uncovered temporarily, and so I’d rested on my stomach, letting the warm breeze coming through the high arched windows bathe my irritated flesh.
As Emmeline entered, I rose but didn’t make a move to approach her. She came in halfway, glanced around at the sparse furnishing—the worn table and chair, the small bed, a chamber pot, and pedestal holding a basin of water.
Although I’d spent the afternoon admonishing myself to keep my resolve to free Emmeline from her obligation to me, now that she was here, I could do nothing but stare at her beauty. She’d worn one of the gowns I’d bestowed upon her after our public wedding. The deep purple contrasted with her pale skin and dark hair that she wore in long, loose waves.
“Thank you for keeping my parents safe,” she said, darting a glance at my chest, her cheeks turning rosy before she dropped her attention to the straw on the floor.
Only then did I realize the coverlet hung open, revealing my shirtless body. At another time, I might have used the opportunity to tease her, but I forced myself to draw the coverlet closed. “The moment I arrived in Delsworth, I had them released and taken to safety.”
“That’s what they said.”
“Then you have seen them?”
She nodded, her eyes alight with happiness. “I spent the afternoon with them.”
“They are faring well?”
“Now that we’re together again, they’re well, and so am I.”
“Good.”
“Bede found me on the ride back from the Highlands. I’ve brought him here, and Ruby has adopted the fox as a brother.”
At the mention of the puppy, my gaze snagged upon her ruby ring. She was willingly wearing the jewel I’d given her. My pulse sped with a desire for her that wouldn’t go away, even though I’d tried so hard to reject it.
Holding out her hand, she gave me a full view of the ring. Then she smiled at me shyly, her head tilted just slightly, her eyes so inviting. “On our wedding day you said this ring signified your heart, and that I’d have it forever.”
The guard discreetly backed away from the door but left it open. Emmeline started toward me with slow, timid steps.
I swallowed hard. I should call the guard back. But as she stopped in front of me and lifted her hand so that the ring sparkled a bright red, I couldn’t tear my eyes from hers.
“Do I still have your heart?”
I had to resist her. Had to resist. Had to—“Yes.” My answer was breathless as I took her hand and lifted it to my lips.
At the touch of my kiss, desire filled her eyes—so deep and consuming that my own need for her flamed to life unbidden. “Rex,” she said just as breathlessly. “You have my heart too.”
I lifted my other hand to her hair, to the glorious dark waves. As I brushed my fingers into the thick strands, I told myself this was the last time I’d touch her. I wouldn’t do it again, for it would make our parting too difficult.
She tilted her face up, whether an invitation to kiss her or not, I did not know. Nor did it matter. I wanted to kiss her again. But the ache inside—the one that had been growing since I’d ridden away from her—pushed up hard and swift.
“Emmeline,” I whispered, tearing myself from her and pacing to the table. “I will always love you.”
Her warm brown eyes chased after me, beckoning, pleading me to come back to her.
I shook my head. “But I cannot relegate you to a life with a prisoner like me.”
“I don’t care—”
“This is no way to live.”
“I want to be with you, even here.”
“No.” I wanted more for Emmeline, more than I could give. “Besides, the queen will never allow us to be together.”
“Then we’ll run away.” She jutted her chin stubbornly.
I could be more stubborn. “There is no place to hide that your sister would not be able to find us.”
“The cottage in Inglewood Forest,” she whispered with a glance to the open doorway.
“That is likely the first place she would look.”
She studied my face, her lips pursed with determination. “So you would give up on us so easily?”
“I would set you free to live as you never have before.”
“The only life I want is with you, no matter what it is like.”
It was the only life I wanted, too, but I couldn’t say it. I’d already revealed too much. If only I’d been cold and aloof instead of melting under her smile.
She waited for a long moment, then stalked across the room to the door. “I won’t let you push me out of your life.” She paused. “For good or bad, we’re bound together until death separates us.”
As she exited and the tap of her footsteps on the tower stairway grew faint, I lowered myself to the bed. Father Patrick had said the same thing. Had it only been that morning when the priest had told me I needed to honor the commitment I’d made to Emmeline, even in the worst of circumstances?
But how could I honor our marriage vows now? I’d lost everything—my home, my land, my people, my loyal friends, and my freedom. I had nothing to offer her . . . except for my love.
But was love enough?
Over the next few days, I waited for Emmeline to return. With every set of footsteps ascending the stone stairway, I longed for them to be hers. But she didn’t come again.
Maribel visited several times each day to apply salve and ointments to my wounds. The Earl of Langley also came to question me on affairs of the kingdom. I gave him all the information he required, holding nothing back. I wanted Queen Adelaide Constance to be successful, and to do so, she needed to have my fullest cooperation.
He also questioned me extensively on the labyrinth and the treasure. I had no doubt Emmeline had already given him a great deal of information, so I relayed everything I knew and cautioned them against returning.
“If the queen decides to seek more of the treasure,” I said, “I beg you to take me instead of Emmeline. Even if she insists, I would ask that you allow me to go in her place and spare her the danger.”
The earl had looked at me long and hard. No doubt he knew by now how valuable Emmeline’s knowledge of the labyrinth was, that it was only because of her we’d been able to reach the center.
“The queen has decided we have all the treasure we need,” he’d finally said. “She is filling the labyrinth with rubble and then sealing the entrances.”
I’d released a relieved breath. “All I want is for Emmeline to be safe and happy.”
“Then you truly love her?”
“More than my life.”
With each passing day of my confinement, I only loved her more. By the fifth day, at the clatter of boots on the stairway, I bolted up from the chair where I’d been reading the small history book that had been among the contents of the pouch I’d taken from Emmeline when I’d first met her. Though I knew I ought to give the book back, it was the only thing I had that would forever remind me of her.
When the door opened, I wasn’t surprised to see half a dozen of the queen’s toughest soldiers. “Your Highness.” The largest knight bowed. As he lifted his head, I recognized him and tried to place his name. He’d once belonged to the elite guard under Captain Theobald and had been one of the first to rally to the queen’s rebellion. In some ways, I hadn’t blamed Captain Theobald’s men for defecting. In the short time I’d known Theobald, I’d never like
d him or his methods.
“Firmin?” I asked.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I believe you chose your leader wisely.”
His eyes rounded. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
The other soldiers waited behind him. And suddenly, I knew they’d come to take me away. I glanced around the tower room, seeing nothing there I needed. I wore the clean garments my servants had brought me earlier in the day. They’d assisted me in bathing and grooming and dressing so that at the very least I could leave with dignity.
Leave for where, I didn’t know. But I guessed the queen would have me taken to a secure fortress in a remote area where I would remain heavily guarded for the rest of my life. That is, if she allowed me to live.
She could very well be putting me to death today in front of all my people in a display of authority. But while that was something my father might have done, I suspected the queen had different plans. She’d already proven herself to be not only a wise and just queen but also a compassionate one. Her greatest act of compassion had been in burying the king rather than taking revenge for the lack of respect he’d shown her parents so long ago. Though I hadn’t been allowed to attend the burial, I’d heard it had been respectful and simple with my mother at the graveside.
Firmin didn’t need to say anything else. After stowing away my few belongings, I held out my hands and allowed him to shackle me. Then, with his guards surrounding me, we descended and left the keep by way of a side door. We mounted steeds, and they led me through the gatehouse and into the city.
I’d steeled myself for the sight of the queen’s flag of Mercia waving from the turrets all around the town wall. But I wasn’t prepared for the people who lined the streets, staring at me silently as I passed by. I couldn’t keep from remembering those same people on my public wedding day, their smiles and cheering as I’d ridden through with Emmeline.
My chest ached at the reminder of losing her. If only I’d figured out a way to be with her . . .
Even as the weight on my heart settled heavier, I held my chin and head high. Over the past few days of contemplating everything that had happened, I’d realized that while I had plenty of regrets in how I’d used Emmeline, I had no regrets in handing the kingdom over to the queen.
