The king swelled visibly, and Theo shook his head at his brother. Xavier hadn’t been there to see it, but Theo waspainfully aware that there was no exaggeration. Miriam was lucky to be alive.
He was lucky that Miriam was alive. If she’d fallen, he would never have forgiven himself. Even as it was, he didn’t know if he’d be able to.
“Father, I’m sorry,” he whispered miserably. “I never meant anyone to get hurt. I just wanted—”
“Just wanted what?” the king shot back at him. “A carbuncle favor? You live a life of privilege and luxury, Theodore. What could you possibly need good luck for?”
Theo swallowed. There was no way he was going to tell his father his plans for the favor. He could see now how foolish and irresponsible his desire had been.
A knock at the door heralded the entrance of a messenger.
“Forgive the interruption, Your Majesty, but the queen has requested your presence.”
“Is the princess well?” King Madoc asked tensely.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the messenger assured him. “She’s sleeping.”
“Wait here. We are not finished.” With those words to his sons, the king swept from the room, leaving Xavier and Theo in uncomfortable silence.
“I wish we’d never left our beds,” Theo said hollowly.
“If only Miriam had kept sleeping, we would have been fine,” Xavier said impatiently. “I never even caught a glimpse of a carbuncle.”
“I did,” Theo said, his voice expressionless. “I saw one drop a favor.”
“Really?” Xavier stared at him. “Did you get it?”
Theo shook his head. “That was when the horse…” He swallowed, struggling once again to keep tears at bay. He didn’t want his brother to see him cry any more than his father.
“I am sorry about the horse,” Xavier said unexpectedly. “It was a beautiful stallion.”
“So am I,” Theo said. “But what happened to Miriam is much worse.”
Xavier hesitated. “Was she really in so much danger?”
“She almost died,” Theo whispered. “She would have, if someone else hadn’t come running when I called. I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
Xavier fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable with the information. For a moment, Theo thought he would relent, and acknowledge at last the recklessness of their venture. But the next moment, a scowl descended on his face. He was apparently choosing a different way to handle what he was feeling.
“She shouldn’t have been there in the first place. Like I said.” Xavier flung across the room.
“Where are you going?” Theo protested. “Father said to stay.”
“I’m not waiting around for another scolding,” Xavier said.
The next moment he was gone, leaving Theo shivering next to the unlit fireplace. He debated fleeing himself, but he didn’t want to be like Xavier, refusing to admit when he’d done the wrong thing. He’d never admired his brother less.
It was only a couple of minutes before the door opened and the king re-entered. A cloud descended on his brow when he realized that only one of his sons was present.
“Where’s your brother?”
Theo didn’t answer. He didn’t know what to say.
After a painful moment, the king let out a breath. “I’ll deal with him later.” He strode into the room, surprising Theo by gesturing him into a chair, then pulling one forward himself.
Theo sank down, realizing only once he was off his feet just how much his legs were trembling.
“Your sister is fine,” King Madoc said, his voice still curt but not as angry. “She’s had a scare, but there appears to be no physical injury.”
