“If you can convince herthather death’ll have meaning,” Jace continuesaswe move, “perhaps she’ll die in peace.”
“Her entire kingdom has known nothing but peace for generations,” I snap.“She has no concept of pain.As soon as she sees the jars of honey to be slathered on her, she’ll break.No ‘believing in our cause’ is going to help her through that.”
Nor me as Iapplyit.
“We could intervene.”
Stopping, I turn to look at him.Despite his duties to this kingdom and his unwavering loyalty, I know the burden he hidesupon his shoulders.He might try to pretend that heisno longer affected by all the deaths hedeals, but wegrewup together.I watched him cry over a dead caterpillar he found.I watched him bury it in secret.
And Iknowthat the tattoos spreading across his back and chestaren’tmarkers of heroic acts.They’rereminders of every life he’staken.Of every woman,man,and child.Theyareburdens hewillnever forget.
He might kill without hesitation for the kingdom.He might be the boogeymanour enemiesall fear.But beneath all thatbeats the bleedingheart of his youth.
And Ican’thave that.Not in this.Not with everything hanging on his silence.
“If you tell anyone what really happened last night –” I warn.
He looksaway.“You know my loyalty is with you.”
My jaw tightens.I force my tone to soften.“That was never in question.But I also know your heart is purer than anyone else’s, Jace, and so I am begging you to leave her to her fate.The gods will smile kindly on her in the next life.”
A blatant lie that we allcan’thelp but believe.
Glancingaway fromme, henods.
We continue towards my private chambers.The hall is painted a dark-purple.Black, half-round fluted columns grace the walls, connected by arches that contain woodencrows,ravens,and leaves.Above us,carved into the ceiling,are harsh depictions of our history.Battles rage above us, victories forever captured in the wood.
The only joy in this place is found on the small, dark sidetables.Vases ofcolourfulshrooms and flowerslend colour to the gloom.Lightcomesin from the sunlight streaming through the open balconybehind us, merging withthe soft bulbs of luminescent blue moss thathangevery few paces.
As we pass through the royal halls, I lock eyes with every single guard we pass, showing them my respect and thanks despite not wanting them here at all.Perhaps when Iamno longer king, I’llfind out what it meansto have true privacy.
“Go find out what’s taking my brother so long,” Isayas soon as I make it to my study.
Ignoring me, Jace followsme insidethe wide room.He scopesout theplace, making a point of walking around the desk sitting in the middle of the floor and then flying up to the mezzanine overlooking it.I barely biteback the urge to order him out.Telling Jace to do anything only turnshim into more of a nightmare.
My lips twitch.Idonot smile.
“All clear,”hesaysunnecessarily as he landsin front of me.When I simply step out of the way of the door, hegrins.“Ever so subtle.”
“Gosee what’s taking Nicholas so long.I have work to do.”Icansee he still wantsto say somethingthough.Myeyes narrow, warning him not to open his mouth.
“You know that favour you owe me?”he says.
My body stillsas memories of that favour assault me.“Thisis what you’re going to waste it on?”I breathe.
“She’s innocent,Dick.And we are playing with her life like a –”
“Fine,” I snap, not wanting to hear any more.The things I havedone…The debt I owe him.Those damn purple eyes flash across my mind.
Shoving past him, Istridedown the hall.“I will go see her.I will even say a few words to her,” I snarl,the hatred burning inside me unable to be contained.“But that is it, you understand?And you are never to bring this up again.”
Eleven
Aprincess(or prince)cannot inherit the crown unlessshe(or he)provesherself(or himself)capable.
Fuck you, Oyveni.-KingRichard
“Will you do this for me, Jace?For her?”
