Chapter Twelve – Rollon
When the door to his office opened after a single knock, Rollon looked up hopefully. Disappointment crashed down on him when he saw that it wasn't Tindra, though he shoved it aside. He had made it clear to the human what she ought to expect from him, and he was going to stick to it. Their tragic pasts aside, he had to focus on what was best for the kingdom . . . and, yes, her as well.
"Thor," he greeted. He noted his son's heavy frown and gestured for him to sit. "What's wrong?"
"I found the traitor." He handed over a report, expression darkening further.
Rollon took the file and opened it. It only took a quick scan to tell him what he wanted to know. Slowly he closed the file again. His stomach turned and he shook his head. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. I checked for any possible alternatives. I . . . I don't know what to think. I didn't want to believe it."
The king rounded his desk and gripped his son's shoulder. "Thor, I know that this is difficult. But we can't ignore facts."
How could she do this? What had he done to make her turn against him? His heart felt heavy like it was made from coal rather than flesh. What was done was done, though. His first obligation was to the kingdom and protecting the people he served. He wasn't going to let her ruin all that. No matter how painful this would be.
After calling for Zander and a half-dozen guards, Rollon headed for Tindra's room. The human's eyes widened when they came in. She jumped to her feet, but Rollon didn't look at her. His gaze was locked on Ingrid. She stood slowly, and he thought he saw defeat in her eyes.
"Tindra, I need you to take Hilda out."
"What?" Hilda looked between them. Her young face was alarmed, but he couldn't stand to look at her. "What's going on?"
***
"Tindra," Rollon repeated. He waited until they were gone before letting his anger show. His nostrils flared as he loomed over Ingrid. "You betrayed us."
The female vampire twisted her hands. "My lord—"
"We found your communications with Eva. Do you deny it?"
"Communications?" Ingrid's gaze darted between him and the gathered guard. "My lord, I don't know that you're talking about. I swore her off a long time ago. I am loyal to you and—"
Thor stepped forward as Rollon's muscles tensed. The prince planted himself subtly between Rollon and Ingrid, but when he spoke there was no compassion in his tone. "I personally led an investigation into how Eva found out about Tindra and the passage under the palace. You were in charge of design when it was built, and I uncovered phone records from your account calling a cell I was able to trace to Eva's location. Always you calling her. How could you?"
Ingrid shook her head. "I didn't. My lord, I didn't!"
"Arrest her." Rollon clenched his hands, resisting the urge to rush forward and shake the woman.
"Why?" Ingrid didn't resist as Zander moved forward and cuffed her hands with silver behind her back. "Why would I do that? After what Eva did to me, why would I help her?"
Rollon shook his head. "You love her."
Ingrid's eyes filled with tears, but she didn't deny it. It was probably best for her that she didn't. The rage was bundled so tightly in his chest that he might just explode if she tried to defend herself. After everything she had been through, she still chose Eva. And what about Hilda? Hadn't the child been through enough?
"I want her left in the women's dungeon. No communications with anybody but myself and Thor," he said to Zander.
The guard inclined his head. "My lord."
"I didn't do it, Rollon," Ingrid cried as the guards pulled her out. "I didn't—"
Rollon roared and flipped over a table, unable to keep in his fury. He had trusted her. She was more than a servant. She was the mistress of his house and she had betrayed him and everybody in the kingdom.
He grabbed a chair.
"Put that down right now!" Tindra's voice cracked like lightning. She charged into the room and grabbed the chair from him. "Don't you dare come in here, arrest my friend and start destroying my things."
Rollon took a step back. "I'm sorry." He glanced around. "Where's Hilda?"
"I had a guard take her to the kitchen for ice cream. Now, are you going to tell me what is going on?"
Thor grasped his father's shoulder. "Ingrid has been in communication with Eva. We have the phone records to prove it."
Tindra's jaw dropped. She swayed on the spot, then shook her head. "No. No, it's not true. What records do you have that prove it was her that made the calls? She leaves her phone all over the place. For all you know I could have made those calls. See, look!"
She charged across the room and snatched a cellphone from the sofa. She waved it around triumphantly, but Rollon couldn't reply. The proof pointed toward Ingrid. Maybe more evidence would come forward to clear her name but he couldn't act on hope. After a moment, Tindra seemed to see his expression and her hands dropped. Her shoulders slumped and she shook her head.
"When Eva attacked, Ingrid didn't want anything to do with her. Do you really think she'd be involved in trying to take you down? If she was involved, why not just kidnap me and deliver me to Eva instead of that big show about breaking in? Eva wouldn't have risked getting caught if she could have just snatched me."
"Ingrid will receive a fair trial," Rollon said at last. "But I can't risk the fact that she isn't loyal. I don't expect you to understand."
Tindra's jaw tightened.
Rollon turned abruptly to Thor. "Go make sure that Ingrid is being treated fairly."
With a nod, Thor left. The king stepped forward. He knew it was stupid, but he wanted to reach out to Tindra, to tell her that he was sorry and it wasn't going to end like this. He wanted to tell her that he was certain Ingrid would be cleared, but what good were lies? Instead, he shook his head and looked away.
"Hilda has grown very fond of you. I would like it if you would accept being her guardian for the time being."
"That's not exactly what I had in mind when I told you that I wanted children."
"I'm not—" He shook his head. "Will you take her or not? It will be temporary. Until Ingrid's trial, and then other arrangements will be found, depending on the outcome."
Tindra's shoulders slumped. She moved forward and touched his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I know you wouldn't be doing this if you had a choice. It's just that I'm shocked and angry—"
"Yeah. Me too."
She moved as though to embrace him and he stepped back. Her arms dropped. After a moment she nodded. "I'll watch after Hilda. But you have to be the one to tell her what is happening."
He flinched. He knew she was right, but that didn't mean he wanted to have to break Hilda's heart again. This was going to hurt.