AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A scream wrenched from her throat.
The world dimmed around her as she turned to face the guard wielding his blade slick and dripping with Henry’s blood. Crispin attempted to move, but the blade resumed its position against his throat.
“Henry!” Ivy scrambled forward, cradling Henry’s head in her lap. His groans filled the air, casting a somber silence across the crowd.
“Take him away.” Francis waved his hand to the guards standing behind them. “Let him die elsewhere.”
The guards lifted Henry, pulling him from Ivy and Ruby’s relentless grip. They dragged him from the great hall and out into the bailey.
A cry of protest rose from the guests. They obviously did not agree with Francis’s blatant dismissal of Henry’s life. Ruby turned to the privy council ready to demand their intercession in stopping the madness.
“Silence!” Francis shouted. “The traitor deserves a traitor’s death. His attack on me was unprovoked and unwarranted. I have every right to defend myself. As a king does.”
“You are no king,” Crispin spat, his face contorted with rage. “A king would not kill an unarmed man.”
“Henry Balmont was a traitor. As are you.” He turned and held Ruby’s gaze. “And even you, sweeting.”
Disgust left a bitter taste in her mouth. Plunging a blade into his chest and ripping out his heart would be worth the punishment of treason. If only she had a weapon...
“There are most certainly traitors in our midst.” Vivienne stepped forward, her gaze resting on each of them individually before coming to Francis. She rested a hand on his arm. “Thank you for bringing them to our attention.”
Francis’s smug smile twisted the soured fear in her gut until it gnawed a hole inside her.
Vivienne released Francis and stepped back. “Arrest this man. He is not my son; he is an imposter.”
Shouts and screams echoed through the room as the congregation burst into chaos.
Chapter Twenty-One
Crispin’s rage transformedinto disbelief with those words. He surged to his feet as his trusted guards charged through the doors, surrounding Francis and the handful of men loyal to him.
Shouts and cries of outrage from the guests invited to celebrate Francis’s return encircled him. They certainly had not anticipated such an eventful evening. Seizing his opportunity, he ripped the blade from the grip of the guard who stabbed Henry.
“Silence!” His shout boomed over the cacophony. Crispin’s gaze skimmed over the crowd. He noted the horrified expressions of the privy council and the tear-stained faces of Ruby and Ivy who sat on the ground staring up at him.
He offered his hand to Ruby who took it and rose to her feet. The noise around them faded into hushed murmurs and shuffling feet as those in the back attempted to gain a better view.
With Ruby by his side, Crispin was renewed. He rounded on his brother, lifting the blade and pointing it at his heart. Two guards flanked the scarred imposter, his arms taken in their iron grips. Francis stood mute between them. Crispin’s gaze remained fixed on his adversary.
“Mother, I believe we deserve an explanation for your statement.”
“This man who claims to be my eldest son, Francis, is nothing more than a wicked imposter.” Vivienne’s voice carried across the room. She spoke with clarity and conviction. Not a soul would dare contradict her. Her regal bearing and longstanding position left her with a flawless reputation. She was beyond criticism, and every person in attendance knew it.
“How did you come to this realization?” Crispin asked, his confidence growing with every breath. Ruby’s presence beside him bolstered his courage.
