“I did what I had to do to save Diathan from becoming too soft. I will not apologize.”
“What. Did. You. Do?” The words were punctuated with his steaming wrath.
“A child of our provinces can only benefit the realm as a whole. Once the child is conceived, we will announce that you are the father. This will cause our esteemed Ellis to be removed as king consort and allow you to take your rightfulplace at Queen Rivka’s side, thus uniting our two provinces as one.”
“Tell me what you did! How did this even happen?” His anger slipped as he spoke. The anguish clear on his features for just a moment.
“The details on the how are not relevant, only the who.”
“And if a child comes of this and it is a boy? What then Mother?”
“Then you simply keep trying.”
“I will not.” Tristan’s declaration was steadfast. “I will not be a part of this violation.”
“You will, or I will simply force you again. And if that doesn’t work, I will place one of your brothers in your stead.”
“Wait…” Tristan started, only to be silenced when Vivian held up her hand.
“You will do as you are told, my dear boy, or you will be of no use to me or this realm anymore. I will not entertain the whims of your morals. I have grown tired of this conversation.” She looked him over, scrunching her nose in disgust. “I expect you to be in the throne room within the hour, this nonsense put behind us. And for the love of the Gods, wear something worthy of our province.”
Ellis, realizing that Vivian would be heading his way, turned and sprinted to the nearest alcove, quickly ducking behind the curtains, out of sight. The fabric settled just as Vivian and her guard walked by.
Luther must have been just inside the door. I’m surprised the old toad was able to hold his tongue the entire time.
As they passed, Luther spoke softly, “Do you think that he will become an issue, my Queen?”
“No, I believe he will do as he is told, as he always does. But you, my dear Luther, will have to pay for botching that memory spell. Ifheclearly remembers everything, then so does Rivka.This is unacceptable.” Her voice faded away as they continued down the corridor.
A spell? They used magic?! I can’t have heard them correctly, but what else could it have been? It fits. But how?
Pulling the curtain aside, Ellis peered out, making sure everything was clear. He still needed to deal with the princeling. The madness in his veins returned with a vengeance. Rivka was in pain, had been assaulted, devastated.
Charging across the hall, he slammed his palm into the door, causing it to burst open with a bang against the wall. Tristan stood in the middle of the room, a look of surprise and defeat etched into his features.
Ellis flew across the room, grabbing him by his lapels, shoving him roughly against the wall. His forearm compressed Tristan’s airway. “How dare you touch her!” he growled, “How dare you use her that way!? I figured even rakes had morals.”
Tristan said nothing; he just stood there with his eyes squeezed shut. “Look at me, damn it!” Ellis bellowed, shaking him roughly. Still, Tristan said nothing. He didn’t even push back against the hold.
Having had enough, Ellis pulled back his arm and punched Tristan right in his jaw, his head cracking back against the stone.
Tristan let out a groan. “I’m sorry El. I truly am. I never meant to hurt anyone. I didn’t want this, nor did I ask for it. I don’t know exactly how it happened. It just happened.”
Ellis scoffed. “Pretty sure you know how it happened.”
The light he usually saw in Tristan’s eyes was gone. Ellis didn’t want to admit it, but the man looked like he was in immense pain and not just physically.
“What happened Tristan? Talk. Now.”
“I don’t even know. I woke up this morning, and the last thing I remembered was Luther and his damned drink.At first, I thought maybe I’d overindulged since my head was pounding and I felt sick to my stomach. But then, the memories, they started to come back to me, and I … I don’t know how to explain it, but it wasn’t a choice. I didn’t choose those actions. I swear it.”
Ellis stared, not sure if he should believe him or not. But his words mirrored Rivka’s from this morning.
“You had nothing to do with the spell then?”
Fear flashed across Tristan’s eyes. “What spell? Magic isn’t real.”
“The one I just overheard your mother and her guard dog discussing as they left your room. If they are to be believed, then magicisreal.” Narrowing his eyes, Ellis studied Tristan’s face closely. Understanding slowly came over him. “You really didn’t know, did you?”
