EIGHTEEN
Ryder stood frozenas panic boomed in his chest.She heard!But at least she wasn’t trying to deny it. Then again, evil witches like this one were so selfish they couldn’t wait to show others what control they possessed.
He was ready for her. He had his sword—and his rabbit’s foot—if either would do any good. Silently, he prayed his mother was right and that this particular object would bring him good luck.
Remembering his role as a guard, he straightened his shoulders and stepped in front of the king, glaring at the witch, ready for battle.
“It’s true?” the king asked, standing and trying to move in front of Ryder, who stood firm and wouldn’t let the king pass.
Laughing, the imposter queen flipped a lock of her long, blonde hair over her shoulder and walked farther into the room. “Yes, it’s true. I am the woman you betrayed all those years ago.”
A low grumble came from the king’s throat, and he tried once again to get in front of Ryder. But Ryder couldn’t allow anything to happen to the king.
“Betray?I didn’t betray you. I did everything you asked. Did I not name my daughter Clarissa?” He flipped a hand in the air. “But then you had to have more, which is why you kidnapped her.”
She didn’t bat an eye. In fact, her expression almost appeared bored as she watched the king. She even glanced at her manicured fingernails a few times as if she didn’t care about the conversation.
“I believe you have this all wrong,witch,” the king snapped. “You betrayed me!”
Her gaze snapped up from her fingernails, and she glared at him. Ryder held his breath. The evil look in the woman’s eyes worried him.
“You don’t know what it’s like to be ridiculed,” she said in a scratchy voice. “You will never know what it’s like to want someone to love so desperately, it tears you apart inside. I wanted a man to look at me as if I were a real woman instead of a creature of the night. Men couldn’t give me the one thing I craved. Love.”
She stepped closer to the king. Ryder tightened his grip on the sword.
“And then a man came into my life that looked at me with helplessness in his gaze as he begged me not to harm him. He said he was only picking my special flower to give to a woman he loved.” She pressed her fist against her chest. “Do you know what that did to me?”
“That’s not my problem,” the king said. “I never once led you to think I loved you. I was grateful that you released me, and that was all.”
“True.” She nodded. “But as I watched from afar as you and your wife had the perfect marriage, and the perfect daughter, I felt cheated.Iwanted to be your wife.Iwanted to be the mother to your daughter.”
“You are an old hag! Why would I want someone of your age to be my wife?” The king’s voice turned harsh.
Ryder released a small groan.Wrong answer.To be sure, the witch wouldn’t take kindly to that kind of talk.
“Indeed, Iwasan old hag. But look at me now.” She swept her hand, motioning to her body. “I’m a young, beautiful queen.”
“You are not my wife. I command you to get out of here. Now!”
She shook her head. “Oh, so sorry, my dear husband, but you cannot tell me what to do. You don’t rule any longer. I do.”
“Over my dead body!”
Ryder grimaced. Once again, those were probably the wrong words for the king to use.
“No, my dearest.” Displaying a faux frown, she shook her head. “I cannot have you dying. This kingdom needs to know everything is normal. Your daughter will wed Prince Ormond as planned and move to his kingdom, so I don’t have to worry about her getting in my way. However, behind closed doors, I will be making the decisions from now on. Things will go my way or...” she paused and nibbled on her lip as if in deep thought, and then she shook her head, “Actually, thingswillgo my way no matter what. After all, I am the one who holds magic. Am I not?”
The king grumbled curses as he marched toward the fireplace, fisting his hands by his side. Ryder felt as helpless as the king looked. He wouldn’t enlighten the witch that Prince Ormond wouldnotbe marrying Clarissa. But he couldn’t sit back and allow any of this to happen. He was one of the king’s guards. He must protect the kingdom at all costs.
“May I ask you a question?” Ryder asked the imposter.
