The brutal knowledge cracked apart her feelings, and she wept with her head in her mother’s lap. “I wanted to believe that there was someone else. That I had another father somewhere.”
The queen shook her head. “Whatever he believes, you are his eldest child. Both of you are legitimate.”
It seemed brutally unfair that she had borne the brunt of her father’s fury because of his false beliefs. The injustice of her suffering made her anger rise higher. She’d done nothing wrong, all her life. And yet, he’d crippled her with fear for so many years.
“I don’t want to be his daughter,” she cried. “I wanted to leave here as a commoner. I wanted to marry Karl. And now, the king has taken him prisoner.” She couldn’t bear to call him her father anymore.
Clara’s lips formed a line, her expression showing dismay. Smoothing a lock of hair, she added, “I’m sorry for what you’ve suffered.” Her mother leaned heavily against the bedpost as she stood up. “No matter what anyone tells you, you have a blood-given right to this throne. Whether your father wishes to believe the truth or not.”
“I don’t want it,” she admitted. “And I’m tired of him trying to control my life.” She felt as if the palace walls were closing in on her, forcing her to wed a man she didn’t want, in order to save Karl.
“What can I do?” she asked her mother. “I won’t stand for this.”
The queen held out her hand. “Do you know, you’re one of the few people who still asks for my advice? Most believe that because I am ill, I’m powerless.” She sent her a quiet smile. “But sometimes appearances can be deceptive. And therein lies a different sort of power.”
Serena sat beside her mother. “I’m listening.”
The prison walls were cold and damp. Though Karl had tried every means of finding a way out, there was no way to remove the chains without ripping them free of the stone walls.
He was going out of his mind. The captain of the guard, Gerlach Feldmann, had informed him that the princess was going to marry Freiherr von Meinhardt tomorrow afternoon. If she refused, the king would order Karl put to death.
He wanted to believe that Serena wouldn’t do it. That she would tell the king to go to hell, and take the freedom she deserved. If they killed him, what did it matter? Without her, his life wasn’t worth much anyway.
Footsteps caught his attention, and he called, “Who’s there?”
The sound drew closer, until it stopped before the door of his prison. A hand entered the small space, and he sensed Serena’s presence before she spoke. “It’s me.”
Hope poured through him, that she’d come to set him free. Karl took her hand, thanking God that she’d come. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” He heard the hesitation in her voice, the tone that something wasn’t right.
“Open the door, Serena.”
“I can’t. That’s not why I’m here.”
He rested his cheek against the thick door, and though she held his hand, he already sensed what she was about to say.
“This isn’t goodbye,” he told her. “You’re not going to stand on the other side of that door and tell me you’re going to wed another man to save my life.”
“Karl, you don’t understand.”
He let go of her hand, curling his fist. “I understand perfectly.”
He wanted to smash his hand through the door, demanding that she stay with him. “How long did it take you to give up? An hour? Did the king break another rib until you agreed to do as he commanded, while I sat down here in this rotting hole?”
It sickened him to think of her surrendering. He’d done everything he could, but it wasn’t enough. She was going to leave him, and when she’d gone off with the Freiherr, he’d be left to imagine her lying in another man’s bed.
“I didn’t give up,” she said quietly. “But I can see that you’re in no mood to listen.”
No. No, he wasn’t. His mind was filled up with visions that he couldn’t bear to imagine. “Set me free, Serena. If you truly want to fight for us, get me out of these chains.”
She remained silent. He reached out through the small rectangular opening in the door, hoping to feel her hand in his.
Instead, he heard her footsteps disappearing. He kept his hand outstretched, hoping she would return. At last, he drew it back in, and sat down upon the floor with his back to the wall.
What did you expect?his mind taunted.
Chapter Eighteen
