They just stand there for a long time on the beach. They stand there staring at each other, and Matt has never hated it more. The silence that stretches between them reminds him too much of a funeral, and he can't shake the sound of his mother's voice from his mind.

 

Honey, sometimes bad things happen to good people. That's just the way of the world, darling. It's not good, and it's not right, but it's how things go.

 

Whether he's a good person or not is up for debate. Right now, Matt feels like the scum of the earth, getting Victoria involved in something like this. Finally, Killian lowers the gun, just a little bit.

 

It's not enough, but it gives Matt an idea. “Look at her, Killian. I don't deserve to have Tori in my life. I'm not a good person. Look at everything I've done to her. You've seen the news reports!”

 

“The news reports? I'll do you one better.” With the hand not holding the gun, Killian pulls a crumpled-up piece of paper from his jacket pocket. He shakes it out and starts reading off of it. “Due to previously discussed circumstances, we will be returning to Vertsea ahead of schedule. Our flight has already been placed, and I expect that you are ready and waiting, on time, for it. We will be leaving very early tomorrow. The fact that you aren't in your room now only farther proves to me, and to your father, that we cannot waste any more time in this dreadful country. It has corrupted you. It has broken you, and it has fouled you.”

 

Matt's heart stops. Is this something the Queen had written? The thought seems strange, but there's also no other that seem to match up.

 

“Thankfully, some men are desperate. Thankfully, some men will take even the foul. Tomorrow, we leave for Vertsea. Upon our return home, you will meet with a man named Sir Harold Lennox. He will be, should all go according to plan, your new suitor.

 

You will carry the baby to term. Upon its birth, a wonderful family in Zeria will take him as their own. The news will be made aware of your miscarriage. You will be distraught, and you will hide away for as long as we can manage.” Killian pauses, just long enough to give a chuckle. The sound is forced and sharp. It's more like glass and metal than anything else.

 

He continues, “After a year, you and Harold will have a child of your own. This one, should your behavior have been rectified, you will raise as your own. As per our arrangements, you will wait two years and have another child. Harold requests very little from you. As he knows and understands your proclivities, I have no problems agreeing to the few things he does want, among which are three sons and at least one daughter. You should have no problems meeting those requests.”

 

The words echo in Matt's mind.

 

Three sons and one daughter.

 

They settle in his gut, this heavy weight that makes him feel nauseous. Matt says, “Shut up, Killian. I don't need to hear this. I already said I fucked up. That's what you want to hear, isn't it? I fucked up by getting involved with Tori.”

 

Killian ignores him in favor of reading off the last line of the note. “I can only imagine this arrangement will work just fine for you. It is far less respectable than having a single crown heir, but I do not see that you are capable of reigning yourself in, so this will have to do. Can you imagine? That's from her own mother. Look what you did to that poor girl. You've stripped everything from her.”

 

“I know,” shouts Matt. “I know I did! Are you even listening to me, Killian? I messed up! I messed up with her, and I messed up with you!”

 

“That's right,” says Killian. “You did!”

 

“You should have been the leader,” insists Matt. “You wouldn't have messed up like this. You wouldn't have made these mistakes.”

 

“I wouldn't have,” agrees Killian. He lowers the gun, a little bit more. “I would have done a good job leading the Horsemen. We would be something big if I were in charge!”

 

Matt says, “I don't have the right ambitions. I don't have the right hopes or dreams. You should have been in charge. You could still be in charge.”

 

“I will be in charge,” sneers Killian. “Why do you think I brought you out here?”

 

He lowers his gun the rest of the way. Matt takes the moment for what it is. He charges forward, throwing himself at the other man.