Page 69 of Veil of Winter

“It hardly matters what King Wenceslaus thinks. At this moment his men are being sent back to Bohemia. And even if he decided to come to Valkenfeld himself, I still have plenty oftime to execute this young woman’s brothers. We have captured three of them. Guards, bring in the youngest one.”

Two guards brought in a young man, his wrists bound and a gag in his mouth. His eyes lighted on Ysa and he made a growling sound deep in his throat.

He looked to be around sixteen or seventeen. His hair was the same color as Ysa’s—dark brown—and he had the same almond-shaped, gray-green eyes. He twisted his body, trying to break free from the guards, but they held him fast.

Ysa gave a strangled sound, then said, “Please, Princess Elyce. Please.” Her eyes were wild and pleading when she looked at her.

Elyce aimed her harshest glare at King Claude. “You are truly despicable to do this to an innocent boy.”

“You could say thatyouare doing this to him. All you have to do is acquiesce to the contract your father has already signed.”

“If I do as you wish, what will you do to my people? Continue to enslave them? Force them to work for you?”

“I shall pay them wages.”

“So you’ll pay them, although you’re forcing them to work against their will?”

“Would you rather I didn’t pay them? Because that is your father’s preference.”

What should she do? What should she say? Claude would have his way no matter what. “Why do you care so much? Why force me to marry Rodrigo?”

“I do not like you running about between countries and kings defiling my name to everyone who will listen. And youcannot be allowed to do as you please while other daughters obey their fathers.”

“Will you only work the people of Montciel who wish to earn wages in your mines? And pay them a fair wage?”

“Your father and I have a contract. You must agree to it as well. Or this man will die.”

A guard pointed his sword at Ysa’s brother’s neck, pressing the point into his skin.

Ysa cried out, then sobbed.

“Very well.” Her whole body went cold. What choice did she have? She could not let them hurt Ysa’s brother. “Now, release him.”

“You have agreed. Remember that.” King Claude pointed a finger in her face.

“I have agreed in order to save Ysabeau’s brothers from you.”

No one moved for a few moments, then Claude motioned with his hand. “Let him go.”

The soldiers released the young man’s arms, and he stumbled toward Ysa. She embraced him and continued crying.

“You will not harm the two English knights. Swear it.”

“I will only harm them if they try to fight my men. I cannot help it if they are killed because they attacked us.”

“If they are harmed, the agreement is off.”

“You do not get to bargain with me. I have you now.” He said the words evenly, without the least bit of emotion, and all she could think of was scratching his eyes out.

“Do not try to leave. My guards will be posted outside the door, and there is no one here to care or to ask for help.”

He and his men made their way toward the door. Then he stopped and said, “I suggest you be ready. We are leaving in the morning.” They left the room and closed the door.

Elyce helped Ysa take the gag out of her brother’s mouth. They tried to untie his bonds but finally had to cut them off with a knife.

“I am very sorry, Princess Elyce,” Dimitry said. “His men tricked us. Matthias was away from home, but they seized Tobias, Leonardo, and me and bound us.”

“Are your brothers here with you?” Elyce asked, as Ysa was still crying.