But one of the soldiers gripped his shoulder, fingers digging, stopping him fromgetting any closer.
The empress huffed. “Well, I won’t kill the annoying brat if he is unconscious. I want him to feel it. I want him to be torn from the world weeping and screaming and begging for mercy that will not come.”
Then her gaze fixed on Gerard, who the guards still held back. She smirked. “You know what, let the dragon warrior get closer to his beloved. Let the lightning prince wake, gazing up into his adoring husband’s eyes.” She laughed. “Sorry, I meaneye. Then, when Elias wakes, I will shut that one eye forever.”
The guards released Gerard. He shuffled until his knees pressed against Elias’s sides. He cursed his bound hands. He needed to touch Elias. He had to check him over for any other wounds.
The rage he’d felt towards Elias earlier that day had dissipated. He just wanted Elias to wake. To fight back and be free and fine and safe. Gerard would give anything for Elias to open his eyes, look at Gerard, and smile.
The queen consort walked towards the empress. “Emmeline,” she said, voice soft. “I was just thinking. Do you really think we need to kill Gerard? He was just suggesting that he might have a word with his father. Maybe we can resolve everything without resorting to killing so many.”
Empress Emmeline’s facial features stayed frozen for a moment. Then she let out a slow breath. She turned to Adelina. “It is far too late for that, my dear. And we’ve discussed this previously. If there was another way, we would have found it. We only do this because we must.”
Adelina lowered her head. “I know. But it doesn’t feel right.”
Empress Emmeline placed her hands on Adelina’s arms. “Unfortunately, this is the only way for your children to getwhat they deserve. Remember you are doing this for them. A mother must sometimes do dreadful things for the sake of their children.”
The empress stroked Adelina’s arms. “Soon it will all be over and we can put this unpleasantness behind us. You and your children will move into a bright future together, a future thatyoucreated for them.”
Adelina nodded but bit her lip.
Then Empress Emmeline walked over to the robed figure who stood near the tower door. The empress and the robed figure talked, too low to be heard. Then they disappeared down the stairs.
Gerard glanced down at Elias, who still lay unconscious on the stone. At least his breathing appeared even.
“Elias.” He leaned closer.
Adelina walked towards them. “I am so sorry, Gerard. But it seems there is no other way.”
“So you are involved in this too, Queen Consort Adelina? It seems I’m not the only one with an evil stepmother.”
Gerard startled. He looked down. Elias still lay on the ground on his side. But he stared up at Adelina, violet eyes bright. It did not look like Elias had just woken from unconsciousness. And his speech was clear and strong.
“I’m not evil! I promise you, I am not!” Her eyes pleaded with Elias. “When I explain to you why I do this, then you will understand!”
“Then tell me everything,” Elias said.
Chapter
Fifty-Nine
“Isee.” Elias nodded. “So you let the bandits and sorcerers into the quarters through the hidden passage.”
The queen consort nodded. “I do feel bad for the Draconian guards. But?—”
“You had to do what you had to do. For your children.” Elias filled his voice with sympathy. “I understand completely.”
In the corner of his gaze, Gerard turned sharply towards him.
But Elias didn’t return the look. He wanted to turn to Gerard. He wanted to look into his face. He wanted to see if Gerard cared even a little for him after everything that had passed between them.
However, Elias had to focus. He had to find out everything he could. Thankfully, Empress Emmeline had at least temporarily left and the queen consort seemed keen to spill. He just had to get her to keep going.
“It seems you have done your part well,” Elias said.
She smiled. “We knew that tonight Konrad would be ina meeting until very late with the grand healer. There were other plans to keep Senta away. ButIwould need to ensure Luther went away directly should he return to the rooms. I rehearsed what I would say, like I did with Gerard. But he did not return.” She sagged, clearly disappointed that she hadn’t gotten to trick her stepson.
“I was a bit worried because Gerard came back earlier than expected. But then he left for a little bit, so it didn’t cause problems with the plan,” she said.
