Chapter 10

The days had grown increasingly warm, which would benefit Sebastian’s mother’s plans for the upcoming wedding rites. All would be held in the massive courtyard in the open air. Sebastian had agreed to the idea, and yet wished they could forego the formality. A ceremony could not bind Olivia and he any more than they already were.

His father had summoned him to the great hall. Sebastian tended to fear the worst whenever beckoned into the king’s presence.

Sweat formed on Sebastian’s brow. Whether from the heat or fear of what was to be said, he was not certain. He swiped at the dampness with the back of his hand, then strode across the floor and took a seat beside his father at the empty table. A place where they had often shared many a conversation.

“You asked to see me?”

Expressionless, his father nodded.

Sebastian’s heart sank. This would not be pleasant. Even so, he sat erect and folded his hands on the tabletop, doing all he could to steady his racing heart.

His father took a long deep breath. “I am quite certain you have noticed your sister, Estelle, has not been herself as of late.”

“Yes. Ever since she returned from Oros. I assumed she was saddened by leaving behind her beloved. However, they will soon marry and shall never be parted again.”

“Marriage.” His father grunted. “It should be a joyous occasion, yet there are those who see it as a means to gain status.”

“But, they love each other. I thought—”

“Yes. They adore one other.” His eyes pinched into slits. “Estelle also loves you. Her heart has been torn in half.”

“Why? Can she not care for her family as well as her husband?”

His father’s body folded into itself, and he covered his face with his hands. Within seconds, he tightened them into fists, then slammed them against the table. “Damn it all!”

Sebastian had never seen him this way. “What are you not saying?”

“Estelle’s torment has nothing to do with her marriage to Eural. She brought me grave news.” He hissed air through his nostrils. “Oros and Thanwine have turned against us. King Callum intends to denounce your marriage to Olivia.” He ground his teeth together. “He will insist I name Frederick as heir!”

Sebastian’s chest tightened. “No . . .” He could scarcely utter it, then anger took hold. “No!” He shot to his feet. “He cannot do this! I am the rightful heir!”

“And you bound yourself to a Crenian!” His father spit out the word, and his eyes blazed with fury. “Did we not warn you of this possibility?”

“Olivia is finer than any royal heir!” Sebastian braced his hands against the table. “I will not allow them to discredit her!”

“Her blood alone disavows her right.”

The air in the room heated even more. Sebastian’s mind spun so hard and fast, he grew lightheaded and wavered.

“Sit, before you fall.” His father pointed at the chair. “Let us discuss this like men, not as crazed fools.”

Sebastian met his gaze, which had substantially softened. “Olivia has been so joyful, helping Mother prepare for our wedding. This news will crush her.”

Again, his father gestured to the seat, so Sebastian sluggishly dropped into it. He took several large breaths before sitting tall. “It does not surprise me Callum desires Frederick to be high king. It would make his daughter high queen. But you said Thanwine also supports Callum’s claims. How does this benefit them?”

“Have you lost all good sense? I assume you have forgotten you shunned Princess Angeline? And Pasha of Oros.”

“Pasha? I never gave any indication my sights were on her.”

His father folded his arms over his chest. “There were rumors, as well as assumptions.”

“It sickens me.” Sebastian shut his eyes and scowled. “Can a man not follow his heart?”

A loud thump on the table popped his lids open again.

His father glared at him and pounded the table a second time with his fist. “You had responsibilities! Your first concern should have been your people!” The man grasped Sebastian’s hand. “I know you love Olivia, and I fear I have grown fonder of her than I should. I slept not one wink last night, struggling with how to respond to this threat on your ascension. There is but one solution.” He tightened his grip. “I must abide by their wishes.”

Sebastian jerked away. “You are the one who has lost your senses!”

“I am being reasonable!” He jumped to his feet, shoved his chair aside, and hovered over Sebastian. “You cannot undo what has been done. You are bound to Olivia by rite and body. Callum has just cause to denounce you and your heirs. With Thanwine’s support, the priests will uphold their claim. Your union cannot be dissolved, but your ascension will not be granted.”

“So, instead of a chaste prince who waited for his true love, a tyrant who tried to rape my sister—the very sister who brought you this wretched news—will become high king?”

His father’s fists tightened and shook. “We are never to speak of this.”

“Never? Yes, that was our oath. But you cannot expect me to seal my lips and allow Frederick to rule the lands. I would rather fight and lay down my life than be governed by such a man.”

“Perhaps his marriage to Princess Marni has changed his ways,” his father whispered. “Estelle claims she is a good and honorable woman. One whom she will soon call sister.”

“Convenient, is it not?” Sebastian stared blankly ahead, seeing nothing but his own misery. “I, too, am wed to a more than honorable woman. I will not allow her to be shamed at this farce of a ceremony.”

His father put the chair back in place and sat. ““The moon will be full in two days. We shall proceed with the rites as planned.”

“Have you grown heartless?” Sebastian’s eyes misted over. He studied the man as if he were a stranger. “It will break Olivia.”

“Your bride is strong. Stronger than most. We shall make her aware of what will transpire so she is prepared. She may choose to speak her mind, just as she did when she won my heart. Yet, regardless of what she says, I am certain Oros and Thanwine will stand by their claims and force the priests to act.”

“What of Issa—and Padrida? Do their opinions not matter?”

“To the priests, no. They discount Issa in every regard, and as for Padrida, their claim will make no difference. They are the ones at fault. They chose to break their bond with the other realms when they went into hiding. They mingled commoner’s blood with that of their royal’s.” Anger had drained from his father’s face, replaced by utter sorrow. “I must name Frederick, but I shall not do it until I take my last breath.”

Sebastian swallowed hard. The reality of the situation sunk deep and stung more than the slice of a blade. “Then I shall pray you live forever.”

His father grunted. “A prayer that cannot be answered. Yet I will do all I can to prepare our people for what is to come.” He sat fully upright and squared his shoulders. “Your mother weeps, along with your sister, but somehow, we must stay strong. It is important we show our support of Olivia. She is part of our family, and I will not allow Frederick to tear her apart or destroy anyone in this family.”

“He will demand you abdicate at once.”

The man sneered. “Let him try. I shall remind him we have kept his secret. Should he cross me, his bride will be the first to know what kind of man she bound herself to.”

Every word spoken caused Sebastian’s head to throb. “That alone would strain our relations with Oros. Estelle could be put in the middle of a potential war.”

“I doubt Frederick would allow it to happen. He wants power, but I am quite confident he desires peace. Bloodshed is an ugly thing.”

Sebastian locked eyes with his father. “He revels in ugliness.”

His father’s gaze shifted downward, and he released a defeated sigh. “Go to Olivia. Prepare her for what is to come. And do not forget, her parents are due to arrive tomorrow. Boden may decide to raise his fists again, though thankfully, not in my direction.”

“Nor mine.” Sebastian swallowed the lump in his throat. “They are expecting a celebration, not the glumness in the manner of a funeral.”

“Then we shall make it so. Joyful, that is. I pray no swords are drawn nor blood is shed. King Boden may appreciate his daughter having less responsibility.”

“You are mistaken. He wanted her to be queen of Padrida.” The thought spun others through Sebastian’s mind. “Perhaps she will be.”

He stood, staring down at his father. “Tell Mother to shed no more tears. I said long ago, I would rather lose my throne than cast Olivia aside. I made my choice, and if I had to do it over again—knowing this outcome—I would not change it.”

Frowning, his father nodded. “Please tell Olivia we do not fault her.”

Sebastian pulled his shoulders back and walked from the room. He swore never to keep another secret from his wife, but telling her this would be much harder than informing her about Donovan.

Olivia refused to cry, though her dear husband pooled silent tears. He had struggled with every word, but she had expected this. Especially once she had learned of Frederick’s desire to rule.

She could accept the decision of the priests, but it tore into her soul having to watch Sebastian suffer.

She drew him close to her bosom. “You fear for me, yet I ache for you.” Tenderly, she threaded her fingers into his thick hair. “Our love has brought you pain.”

“No.” He lifted his head and stared into her eyes. “It has brought more joy than I bore in my lifetime. You are my world. I need no throne to complete me.”

She kissed him on the lips, then dotted his forehead with more. “Even without a throne, you fear for your people. For those in every realm. With Frederick as their high king, do you truly believe they will suffer?”

“He has no soul.” His eyes pinched tightly together. “I pray his children will be good and decent. More like their mother.” He guided her to their bed and sat on its edge. “Father intends to live a very long while. If Frederick’s heir is respectable and of age, when my father is ready to name his successor, the people may support the throne being passed onto Frederick’s son. It is the only hope I can foresee.”

“And what of our children?” She cupped her hands over her belly. “They will be denied title, unless we return to Padrida. The priests may think they have final say on every issue, however, in my kingdom, our people follow their own laws. They would gladly lift up our children, regardless of a priest’s decree.”

He covered her hands with his own. “I want the best for our children. Yet, for now, while your father still reigns, as does mine, it is wise for us to remain in Basilia. We must show our support to my father for as long as we are able.”

“I agree.” She brought his palm to her cheek and cradled it there. More than anything, she wanted to bring a smile back to her husband’s face. “Sebastian?”

“Yes?”

“It has been more than a month since we arrived in Basilia. I am genuinely happy, even with this sorrowful news. You see . . .” She looked directly at him. “My woman’s time has not come. I feel it means only one thing.”

His brows dipped together, then his eyes opened wide. “A child?”

Smiling broadly, she vigorously nodded. “Does this please you?”

The tears that moments before had not left his eyes, now streamed. He laid her back on the bed and stared into her face. “I had hoped.” He glanced downward toward her stomach, then returned his gaze to her. “Your news could not have come at a better time. I needed this reminder that a throne is trivial compared to what you and I share.” He kissed her deeply—urgently—as if he feared she might vanish beneath him.

Once she caught her breath, she giggled. “I pray this news will ease my parents’ woes, once they learn of the treachery in the realms.”

“It remains to be seen. Your father has a temper.”

“True.” She fingered his beard. “He also has a heart of gold and a longing for a grandchild.”

Sebastian’s eyes closed in a much finer way. She adored the manner in which he responded to her touch.

He licked his lips. “I am not wise in the ways of women bearing children. Am I still allowed to have you?”

“Do you want me?”

“Now and always.”

“Good.” She blinked ever-so-slowly and cast her most inviting smile.

In no time at all, they became lost in each other once again. She could easily satisfy his requirements as a man, but feared his greater need to rule the kingdoms would not be so readily overcome. His concern for his people was justified.

Somehow, they had to find a way to set things right.