“Are you sure?” Hugo inquired, hesitating.
“Of course. I’d like my fiancé to meet my grandmother.”
“You know, I’ve never officially agreed to be your fiancé,” Hugo teased.
“That’s good, because I’ve never officially asked. Trust me, when I do, it’s going to be a moment you’ll never forget.”
Unfortunately, the warm joy that had blossomed in Hugo’s chest froze as he stepped inside. In the center of the room was the typical white marble coffin that held the remains of Queen Victoria Rosewood, mother of Hubert and Crispin Rosewood as well as Xavier Ryder. However, it was what hung on the walls that caused Hugo’s heart to skip.
Exquisitely painted portraits covered the walls between each of the stained-glass windows. On the left were portraits of King Xavier throughout the course of his life, from infancy to the birth of his son. On the right were portraits of King Victor that also traced the course of his life from birth to his ascension as king. In addition, there were marble shelves that lined the walls below the portraits, and they held mementoes from their lifetimes.
A sharp intake of breath ripped Hugo’s eyes from his surroundings to find King Victor standing just over the threshold. He lifted a trembling hand to his mouth as if to hold in any more pained sounds.
“I was here for her interment,” Everand stated in a low voice. “She never spoke of you or your father. Refused to say one word about her past. But as I walked in here for the first time, I finally understood what you meant to her. She regretted leaving your father behind, but she knew she couldn’t take him and be free.”
“Why…why didn’t she ever say anything? To me? To my father?” Victor’s voice shook.
“Maybe she was afraid you’d hate her. That you’d never be able to forgive her for following her heart,” Hugo replied.
Tears spilled down Victor’s cheeks. “I don’t know if I can.”
“Then don’t.” Everand’s harsh tone drew both their looks. “I’m not sure I could if I were you. I think the only thing you can take from this visit today is the knowledge that she did, in fact, love you and your father very much. She clearly had her ownspies keeping an eye on you and collecting tidbits as mementos. She hired the best painters she could find so she could have your likeness around her all the time.” Everand released Hugo and walked to one of the shelves. He opened a dark-wood jewelry box and pulled out a pendant on a long silver chain.
Everand carried it to Victor and held it out to him. “I think you should have this.”
Victor didn’t reach for it. His entire being was tense and withdrawn, seeming as if he didn’t trust anything. “What is it?”
“A necklace she wore all the time. I can’t remember seeing her without it.” He placed it in Victor’s hand and returned to Hugo. “We’ll leave you alone with her.”
Their hands clasped, Everand drew Hugo outside into the afternoon light. Hugo tipped his head up to the sun and dragged in a cleansing breath, pulling the fresh air deep into his lungs. Captain Ryze peeked inside the crypt to check on his king and stationed himself and the other guards outside as protection.
“She fought hard to end the wars between Branem and Wulia,” Everand admitted suddenly. “While she couldn’t speak out against them publicly and appear disloyal, I know she argued with my grandfather and father constantly to find a way to peace. She argued for concessions and peace talks, but you know how hotheaded and stubborn men can be.” He shot Hugo a smirk.
Hugo tightened his grip on Everand’s hand. “King Victor said that his grandfather only offered to marry Victoria because she was pregnant, and King Philip’s father refused to allow them to marry. He was trying to protect her.”
The prince grunted. “I never heard that, but I’m sure it’s possible. No one in my family will talk about what happened, and now everyone who was alive during that time is gone.”
“And they’ve taken the truth with them.”
“Regardless of what happened so long ago, it’s not worth people dying over now. When I take the throne, I don’t want to inherit this shadow. I want to focus on boring things.”
Hugo had started to rest his head on Everand’s shoulder, but he lifted it and cocked his head so he could look in the prince’s eyes. “Boring things? Like what?”
“Education and making sure my people have proper health care. Did you know that fewer people are born each year with magic? I want to know why there’s less magic in the world. And if Wulia and Branem can stop fighting for a while, we could really strengthen the trade between our two kingdoms—” A burst of laughter from Hugo cut off Everand’s words.
Hugo wrapped him in a tight hug. “I love your idea of boring. You’re going to make an amazing king,” Hugo murmured into his neck. Strong arms held Hugo, squeezing him.
“I can be amazing if I have you at my side.”
Hugo wanted that. It was the only thing he wanted in all the world. To be at Everand’s side, to help guide him as they guided Branem to take steps toward a new bright, happy future. There were just a couple of small matters that had to be taken care of first.
Twenty-Nine
An hour ticked by before King Victor left the crypt. Hugo and Everand had found a spot in the soft grass to sit and talk while the Wulian guards protected their king. Victor emerged with red-rimmed eyes and a pale face, but something about him looked steadier now. The pendant Everand had given Victor was clenched in his fist, and the silver necklace hung down. A warm spring breeze stirred and ruffled his white hair, making the king seem almost ethereal.
Hugo and Everand pushed to their feet and took a few steps closer. Everand kept an arm slung across Hugo’s shoulders. The embrace was light but so very possessive.
“Did you find the opening in the pendant?” Everand called.
