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“He would be better protected with Dad. If something happens, they’ll come for both of you. If he is standing beside you…” Damian trails off, a look of worry on his face.
“He should be part of the wedding,” Soren tells him.
“We’ll be fine. Nothing will happen, and if it does, you protect the future of this kingdom, you protect Max,” I tell Damian and he mumbles something but gives in.
I can’t wait to tell Max.
“Aubrey! Look!” Max’s voice calls out again, and I turn to see him standing proudly beside one of the large archways. Ribbons of every color are now draped across it, woven through the floral arrangements.
“It looks beautiful, Max,” I tell him. “You did a great job.”
“It was Grandma’s idea,” he admits. Maribel, looking slightly embarrassed by the praise, shrugs.
“Well, thank you both,” I say warmly. “It really does look perfect.”
Max beams, clearly pleased with himself. “Does that mean I can help with the cake, too?”
“No!” Maribel and I say in unison, causing Max to pout dramatically.
“But I’m really good at tasting cake!” he protests, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Maybe later,” I say, ruffling his hair. “Right now, we need to finish decorating.”
Max sighs, but he doesn’t argue further. Instead, he grabs another bundle of ribbons and sets off toward the next archway, Maribel following close behind to keep him in check.
As the afternoon wears on, the preparations continue smoothly. The castle is slowly transforming into something out of a fairy tale, with flowers, ribbons, and lights adorning every surface. Despite the underlying tension, there’s a sense of joy in the air—a feeling that, for now at least, we can hold on to something good.
Soren and I take a moment to step outside onto one of the balconies overlooking the sprawling gardens below. The late afternoon sun casts a warm glow over the landscape, and for a brief moment, everything feels… peaceful.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I say softly, leaning against Soren’s side.
“It is,” he agrees, though I know he’s not talking about the view. His gaze is fixed on me with a soft smile.
Chapter 41
• King Soren •
Rhett is on the brink of death as I enter the dungeons where he is kept. His entire body bloody from the relentless torture he has endured, but I need answers, and today I will get them. Alaric had compelled him good because he hasn’t uttered a word about who the person working with them from my guard is.
However, Damian believes we have broken the compulsion Alaric has over him because he tried to tell Damian who the traitor in my castle was. We are hoping my added command behind the torture will finally break him. Blood dribbles from his mouth, his head hangs forward, his chin resting on his chest. Opening the door to his cell, his head rolls on his shoulders to look at me. He whimpers and starts sobbing.
“Please, no more,” he begs.
I do not feel pity for the man, not after what he has done. I move into the cell briskly, leaving the door ajar behind me. The room reeks of sweat and blood, thick in the air like a fog. It sticks to my throat with every breath.
“I don’t care for your tears, Rhett,” I say, my teeth clenched in restrained rage. “I want names.”
A pathetic whimper is his only response, the connection of his fragmented mind barely holding on. But I have no time for sympathy - not for him.
“You can make this stop,” I tell him coldly. “Give me what I want. Who is the traitor?” I move my fingers over the knives on the small table Damian set aside for me.
Rhett’s eyes follow my movements with a sense of dread. His breaths come out in short, ragged gasps as he winces at the mere sight of the sharp edges.
“P-Please…” he chokes out once more, before spluttering into violent coughs that have his body shaking.
“Names, Rhett.” The iciness in my tone matches the cold metal of the blade I pick up. The dull light of the dungeon flickers on its polished surface, and Rhett’s body stiffens.
A shudder runs through his frail body, his blue eyes widening with terror as they dart to the gleam of cold, sharp steel. “I can’t,” he whispers, his voice raspy and barely audible.
