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CHAPTER 2
Alrick
Istared out the window, watching the riders and carriages arrive with the Northern nobles who had joined the resistance against King Algar. Like myself, they were dressed in armor. They looked as tired as I felt from the thought of another war, this one with the mighty South, creating an overall mood of hopelessness and defeat.
The great hall of my castle had been prepared with a feast—if one could call cabbage soup, bread, and venison jerky a feast.
“We are doing this all wrong, Alrick,” Henrike argued, patiently sitting at the end of the table next to my seat. She was playing with a metal fork, her face a mixture of exhaustion and indifference.
“Mina won’t be able to keep her throne for long. From what I hear, there is a powerful Southern nobleman who has already started to challenge her behind closed doors. If we gather with our Northern allies and promise this man our sword, we might be able to avoid becoming a target after Mina has been dethroned.”
Both of my brows rose. Lately, my sister had been angering and disappointing me more than I could bear. The same woman who had saved me from my father’s beatings had now become my biggest opponent when it came to matters of loyalty and decency. I didn’t know what had brought it on, but she seemed like a different person. I knew deep down she thought she was doing the right thing for us, but still...
“If that is all you have to add to this meeting with the nobles, it might be better for you to leave now.”
She froze, fork still in hand. “You think me heartless, but it’s quite the opposite. I care for Mina, even if we don’t see eye to eye sometimes...well, most of the time. But I also care for you and our lands and people. If whoever gets to power blames us for the Rhine King’s death, we’ll vanish from the face of this earth within weeks.”
I had heard her say this so many times, I almost lost my temper and slammed my fist on the table. “Mina is fighting for us, Henrike. The rebels. She could just sit back and watch things unfold as the rebels are destroyed by Algar with help from King Louis, but she doesn’t. And even if she’s hated among some of her people, she is still the rightful heir to the throne. The people loved her father and lived well under his rule. A new man rising to power could mean changes they might not want to see. So, by the gods, try not to see her already in chains.”
Henrike rolled her eyes. I hated when she did that.
“Have you ever considered the possibility that Algar is behind it all and will try to blame the rebels for the Rhine King’s death? Side with whoever will gain power in the South and get rid of us once and for all along with your Night Queen?”
“Has it ever crossed my mind? Do you truly think me so daft?”
When I wasn’t obsessing over Mina—her smile when she woke up that morning in the woods, in my arms, whispering my name—Algar’s strategies were all I thought of.
“King Algar’s involvement is the most logical conclusion at this point,” I added.
“Then why are we still loyal to her? People believe she will lose power soon, including the men you invited here today. We should send a message out to the Southern nobles, challenging her before Algar can form alliances. Win the South over for our own advantage.”
I was frustrated to no end. “I like it,” I said.
Henrike’s head snapped up, her eyes widened in hopeful surprise. “Really?”
“Yes.” I rose and walked over to her and leaned onto the table with both of my hands. “I just change who I am, throw away all my beliefs and values so I can start bending with the wind wherever it blows, like a weak blade of grass. Up, down, left, and right, then all of it all over again.”
Henrike narrowed her eyes at me. I saw pure rage glittering in them. “Most likely she has already locked herself away in her golden castle,” she said, “crying like a little girl. She will fail, miserably, and then your foolish love and trust in that woman will cost us everything.”
I shook my head. My own sister had become a stranger to me.
“Ifeverythingis a life without moral standards and human values, then everything means absolutely nothing to me.”
Henrike rose and threw the fork onto the table. It bounced a few times and then dropped to the floor. “Suit yourself. But I won’t be part of this meeting.”
I felt both saddened and mad, like I was hot and cold at the same time, as I watched her stride around the long wooden dinner table.
“Henrike.”
She stopped.
I sighed. It couldn’t end like this. Not without her doing the one thing I needed her to do for me.
“Will you still write him?” I asked.
Motionless, she stood there, debating.
“Without him, it’ll be almost impossible to get the nobles to travel south to meet with Mina. They fear she will kill them all. My word alone will not convince them otherwise. I need you.”
