Theo nodded, a lump in his throat.
“You were very foolish tonight, Theodore,” the king said. “Do you understand that?”
“Yes, sir.” Theo forced himself to look his father in the eye.
The king nodded slowly. “Do you agree with your brother? That you bear no responsibility for Miriam’s near-disaster?”
Theo shook his head frantically. “I’m not denying responsibility. It was my fault. Xavier didn’t want to let her come, but I felt sorry for her, because she didn’t want to miss out. And Xavier told us to stay by the tree, but we wanted to search too, and—”
“You misunderstand if you believe I’m trying to shift responsibility from Xavier,” the king said dryly. He sighed. “Xavier is young, but he will learn. As will you. Your position gives you a great deal of responsibility, whether you want to claim it or not. Your decisions affect the wellbeing of many, not just yourself. Just like tonight your actions endangered Miriam’s life. And ended the life of that horse, incidentally.”
“Yes, Father.” Theo swallowed. “I accept that.”
“Good man.” The king gave another nod. “You are not my heir, Theo, but that doesn’t mean you can afford to take your position lightly. You, too, will have great influence all your life, not just Xavier.” He frowned. “If your brother is not inclined to take his responsibilities seriously, you must do so doubly. I know you will learn from tonight’s disaster.”
“Yes, Father,” Theo repeated obediently. “I will.”
“A prince cannot afford to think just about what he wants,” the king pressed. “He must think about what’s good for his kingdom. Otherwise those under his care will suffer. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Father,” Theo said yet again.
The memory of the horse falling flashed before his eyes, followed by a horrible image—his sister’s brown eyes, wide with fear as she dangled from the cliff. That had happened because he’d chased what he wanted, selfishly and childishly. He would never make that mistake again.
“I won’t disobey you again, Father,” Theo said, straightening his back.
“I trust you won’t,” the king said soberly. “You should return to your bed, Theodore.”
Theo went, his mind churning and his heart heavy. He’d never coveted his brother’s position as heir. He hadn’t wanted the pressure. But that had been another example of his selfishness. Just because he wasn’t Siqual’s future king didn’t mean he could escape the duties of being a prince.
Determination coursed through him, the sense of purpose pushing back the guilt a tiny bit. His father had said it himself—if Xavier wasn’t going to take responsibility, Theo would need to. He wasn’t going to let his own desires get in the way of what the kingdom needed, and he would do all he could to prevent Xavier’s desires from doing so as well.
He couldn’t let anyone else pay the price for his failure to act as a prince should. Starting that very moment, he would be what Siqual deserved, even if he was the only one willing to do it.
Ten Years Later
Chapter
One
“It does look unstable.”
Elowen squinted up at the moss-covered walls of the watchtower, a remnant from centuries past, when the Peninsula had been at war with the kingdoms of the continent.
“I suspect Father will order it pulled down.”
“You’re probably right,” agreed Sophia amicably.
Her friend’s agreement came as no surprise to Elowen. Sophia was the most good-natured creature alive. Elowen sometimes wished her friend had more independence of mind—for Sophia’s own sake—but no one could accuse her of being unpleasant company.
“If you ask for my opinion, I think His Majesty would be wasting resources to pull it down.”
The second voice was less welcome as Sophia’s brother inserted himself into the conversation. Elowen had to stop herself from reminding Bertrand that no onehadasked his opinion.
“Why do you say that?” she said instead, mustering the politeness expected of a princess speaking to the son of her father’s most influential duke.
The viscount shrugged. “It will come down by itself, sooner or later.”
“No doubt.” It was difficult to keep the incredulity from her voice. “On top of the livestock that graze in this area, or even the children from the local village whom we saw playing around the base of the tower when we rode up.”
