“The riots.”
King Maximus paled. “Heavens, you’re right.”
The king’s council murmured in agreement. The witches looked uncomfortable. I waited for someone to elaborate but no one did.
“It seems we have a lot to discuss,” the king said. “Come, Bennett, to my study. Will you join us, Maverick?”
Father threw a concerned glance in our direction. I hoped he would tell us to return home without him, but I knew he didn’t feel it was safe, especially with assassins on the loose.
King Maximus seemed to catch on to his dilemma. “Have Captain Greenwood’s family escorted to my library,” he said to a servant. He turned to everyone else. “The rest of you, dismissed.”
6
Servants led us intothe king’s library where we were given blankets and warmed cider. I sat before the fireplace with Lady Vanessa and Maddox, clutching my mug as if my life depended on it.
Voices came from the door of His Majesty’s study. The king’s voice rose and fell. Father’s was a low, steady rumble.
Of all the things I expected to happen tonight, an attempted assassination was not one of them. And even worse, it led me here: in close proximity to the royals. I took a sip of cider to calm myself, but the spiced beverage only burned my throat and made my stomach turn.
Maddox rose from the couch and crouched before the fireplace, scowling at the flames. “They’re going to make him investigate this, aren’t they?”
Lady Vanessa sighed. “It’s only natural. He is Captain of the Royal Guard. His title comes with duties,” she said, pulling her blanket tighter around her shoulders. The scratch on her forehead had scabbed over, but it was still disconcerting to see it on her calm, refined face.
“It’s not fair!” Maddox exploded. He slammed his fist into the rug.
I turned around, slinging an arm across the back of the couch. “Don’t tell me you’re going to throw a tantrum in the king’s private library.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Maddox’s face flushed. “You have no right to judge me! If I had to place my bets, those assassins were witches, through and through. Why don’t you save Father the effort and go tell him it was your kind who caused all this?”
I opened my mouth to retort, but to my surprise, the angry voice that spoke next was not my own.
“Enough, Maddox! You are not the only one hurting.”
I stared incredulously as Lady Vanessa stood from her seat, hands fisted at her sides. Her eyes blazed with the reflection of the fireplace. “Do you think I want my husband gone for months on end to protect a family that isn’t his own? Do you think your sister asked to live in a home with more strangers than kin? I am trying, Maddox. I am trying my best to hold this household together,” she said, her voice almost hysteric. She took a shaky breath. “I know how you are feeling right now and I am sorry. But for once, can you please bequiet?”
“Mother,” Maddox began, but seemed to think better of it. He was too surprised to even throw me a scathing glare before sinking back into the rug.
