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As a younger girl, I had always thought of him as the amusing and fun-loving friend that was the perfect counterpart to James’ personality.
I’m wrong.
He fights his own demons. In that briefest moment, I vow to know him better and understand the connection the two of them shared and what his role is in the current palace intrigue.
“Everything’s okay, Juliet,” he says, but his voice is hoarse and comes out in a rough whisper.
“How can it be?”
“Take my hand.”
When I hesitate, he grabs both of mine and helps me to my feet. Keeping my head down, I allow him to maneuver me towards the castle.
I can’t suppress my sobs as we walk and it’s only his reassuring pats against my back that keep me moving at all.
“How could James do that?” I ask.
“There are other powers at work. I’m sure James doesn’t even know about his new prisoner yet. Keeping up our plot against Francesca has required us to loosen the reins to make her think that she has more power than she does. It’s a delicate balance pulling all of this off.”
I still can’t feel anything after his words—relief would be too simple. Fear transitions into doubt and the smallest inkling of hope. But that’s too much to wish for, so I construct a wall of numb disinterest around me.
We make it into the throne room where James is again poring over a map with his advisors, whispering urgently to them. He turns to look at me as we approach, happiness in his eyes at first when he sees me.
The well of emotions that could swing either way inside of me is too deep to deal with. I’m afraid of them, afraid to feel anything, so I stare without acknowledgement at the bright blue eyes I love so much. When our eyes connect, his happiness drains away.
“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?” he asks, rushing towards me, fumbling in his movements as if he’s unsure if he should touch me. “What happened to you? Are you hurt?” he grounds out.
My brow falls and I step back. “So, you really don’t know?” I ask.
“What do you mean? What don’t I know? What happened?” he spits out, directing his questions at a silent Richard since I seem to have lost the ability to speak properly.
There’s a long pause, then Richard’s gruff voice breaks the silence. “Promise me you’ll listen without getting upset?”
“Just tell me,” James barks.
“Fine, but so help me if you do something rash, I’m stepping down as your advisor.”
James looks at him confused. “Okay, I get it. I’m listening.”
Richard is just about to speak when guards begin to file into the Throne Room, unaffected by the way they are arriving without the King’s orders. Francesca files in behind them, a small smile on her lips.
“What are you doing here?” James asks annoyed.
“Does the Queen need a reason to visit her King?” she asks coyly.
“Get on with it,” James snaps, even as a flicker of unease begins to burn inside of me.
“I do have all the power and authority that comes from being Queen, do I not?” she asks.
It’s a pointed question, one that James has no choice but to answer in the affirmative in order to keep his ruse going.
“Of course,” he replies stiffly. A look of triumph crosses her face.
“Then as Queen with the power and authority vested to the English Monarchy by God himself, I sentence Juliet Caris to death for the practice of witchcraft.”
A shocked murmur rushes through the crowd as the guards grab me and start to march me away. I look back at James for help. He looks like he’s about to come to my rescue, but I see Richard squeeze his arm.
“I’ll come for you,” James mouths. I just nod numbly.
I don’t know that he can come in time to save me, or to save Liam.
To Be Continued….
