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“That means this has been going on for some time, then.” King Francisco finished. He grabbed the queen’s hand and held on to her.
Alzerion didn’t say anything. Silence. That was all he could do was be silent, for now. He had to come clean.All he could do was be open, from now on. Aironell, accused him of not letting them in, well, maybe she was right. Hell, his own mother had been telling him the same thing for years. Could he have avoided all this pain and devastation if he chose differently? No, he couldn’t go down that path, not now. His eyes watered at the thought of his actions-every choice.
“I found the leader of the rebellion, that night. He was behind her kidnappings, both of them.” Alzerion swallowed. “Ulbrick was behind it all.”
“Ulbrick?” Queen Evalyn bit her lip. She exchanged glances with the king.
“Isn’t that—”
“Yes,” Alzerion answered, quietly.
“So, you have been dealing with him since?” King Francisco asked.
Alzerion closed his eyes, briefly, then nodded.
The queen’s expression softened. “Then what happened?”
Alzerion took another breath and continued. “Well, he threatened me. He said that if I didn’t help him, he would harm the princess.” He took a breath and rubbed his forehead. “That’s why she was with me. Ulbrick used her as leverage. I would never let anything happen to her.”
Alzerion swallowed and then looked up at the king, right in the eye. “I still would never let anything happen to her. Her safety has always been my first priority.”
“Alzerion,” the queen’s voice cracked. “You should have told us.”
He hung his head down. “I’m sorry.”
“The queen is right. Alzerion, we might have been able to help shoulder some of this. Maybe we could have found other solutions.”
“Ulbrick is ruthless. You both wouldn’t have been able to help.” Alzerion starred back at them. “I mean no disrespect. You should know how much you both mean to me, after all these years. But, Ulbrick, he’s vindictive, hateful, and would love nothing more than to see the downfall of this family.”
Alzerion glanced up at the sound of shoes against the floor. The queen strolled toward him and placed a hand under his chin. All he could do was look at her.
“Alzerion,” she spoke firmly. “Do you stand with us or with them? I need a clear answer.”
Alzerion smirked as his shoulders drooped a bit. “I am always with you. I have never forgotten the hours, the treatment, or the kindness you both have shown me.”
Queen Evalyn wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. “Good. That is what I needed to hear.” Then she stepped back. King Francisco was by her side.
“Alzerion, we love you,” the king added. “That’s why this news hit us so hard.”
“I am so sorry,” he apologized. “I didn’t mean for either of you to lose faith in me.” The king patted him on the back. “I fear that I may have angered them.” Alzerion felt a pressure in his chest. It was deeper, down in his heart.
King Francisco rubbed his chin. “How so?”
“Warren. I-I, was wrong about him. I thought we were friends, but no. He is another brain-washed fool that seeks only Ulbrick’s approval. Warren would have told Ulbrick about my true allegiance by now.”
“He is no friend of yours.” King Francisco nodded. “From what Aironell told us, he painted you in a very bad light.”
“I’m not surprised. He was angry with me. Their hope was in poisoning you all against me.”
Queen Evalyn’s eyebrows bent in. “Why?”
Alzerion swallowed trying to rid himself of a thickness in his throat. “Then I would be alone. If I was alone, then I might still help them. At least that was what Warren said to me.”
Queen Evalyn shook her head.
“These are not good people,” the king said.
“No.”
