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His shoulders slumped as he found his mother strolling into the garden. He should have recognized the cadence of her steps. Dread replaced his hope, for it was clear she’d come to talk. He owed her an explanation for what had happened today, for how he’d claimed she’d support Larylis’ rule. However, he’d hoped he’d have more time to prepare for it.
Her lips were pursed as she walked up to him. Berol launched off his shoulder as if she dreaded the scolding as much as Teryn did. What Teryn wouldn’t give to sprout wings and fly away too.
“Mother,” he said with a nod.
Her eyes blazed with fury as she spoke. “Everything I’ve done, I’ve done for you. In a single sentence, you’ve done away with all of it.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, filling his voice with the full weight of his apology. He didn’t regret abdicating, but he was agonized over how much it must have hurt his mother.
“What is your apology worth now? They’ve won. They got what they wanted all along.”
Teryn frowned. “Who won?”
“Lady Annabel and your father,” she said through her teeth. “Why do you think I sent Larylis away all those years ago? My ladies heard Annabel bragging that her son would one day be king. Her ambition had become dangerous, so I fought hard against it. I fought with everything I had to protect you. To protect your crown.”
“I never asked you to protect my crown,” he said as gently as he could.
“I’m your mother. My protection comes with or without your request or permission. Now that you’ve turned your crown over to Larylis, everything I fought for has been for naught.” She let out a humorless chuckle. “With Arlous’ death,we’dwon. You and me. Even with Larylis named prince, we’d still won.”
Teryn shook his head. “I’m tired of war, Mother. The battle of crowns was never one I wanted to fight. I never wanted to be pitted against my brother. I never wanted to be torn between you and Father.”
She huffed. “Are you saying I was wrong to fight for my crown? I was defending my right and yours.”
“I could never deny you that right, nor could I have condoned what Father did when he tried to replace you. You’re my mother. I love you. But…I loved Father too. And Larylis.”
“Your love won’t make him a good king.”
“I believe in him.”
“What about me? Have you no sympathy for what this means for me? With Larylis as king, Lady Annabel will have the run of Dermaine Palace. She’ll be Queen Mother Annabel. I’ll be relegated once more to my little palace, never again welcome in the place that once was my home.” Her voice broke on the last part.
Teryn’s heart sank. He gathered his mother’s hand in his. “You will be welcome.”
She turned up her nose. “Larylis could ensure I’m not.”
“He’s better than that. He’s better than Annabel, and you know it.”
She turned her head but made no argument.
“He and I will both take care of you.” He hesitated before saying the next part. “There was once a time when you took care of him. Until you banished him from Dermaine, you were far more of a mother to him than Annabel was. He hasn’t forgotten the kindness you once showed him.”
Her shoulders drooped. She met Teryn’s eyes briefly before shaking her head. “I couldn’t let myself love him. It was too dangerous. He won’t forgive me for banishing him.”
“He will. It’s himself he’ll struggle to forgive. Besides, Larylis and I have seen true danger. We met it on a battlefield. We fought wraiths, a monster, and a blood mage. This…this is just politics.”
“You’re really willing to let go of your birthright so easily?”
“I won’t say it’s easy, but I believe it’s the right thing to do. If you trusted me to be king, then I ask you to trust me with this too.”
Silence fell between them. Finally, she squeezed his hand. “I can’t say my heart isn’t broken, but I…I’ll support your brother’s claim to the throne in name only. Do not ask me to do anything more on his behalf.”
“That’s fair,” he said, trying not to sound too shocked that he’d won her agreement.
She released his hand and made to leave. Just as she turned away, she whirled right back around. “Who are you waiting for?”
“How do you know I’m waiting for anyone?”
“You’ve been out here for two hours, my son. It’s the longest I’ve seen you stay in one place in weeks. So tell me. Who is it?”
