Chapter Sixteen – Disastrous Negotiations
If he outright withdrew his offer of marriage with no reason, it would just serve as the insult that Caitlyn needed to make everything go to hell. But if he said he found another woman to take as a mate, it would be the same thing. Not to mention Caitlyn might have been the one to send the assassin after Julia in the first place.
Benjamin squeezed the back of his neck, uncertain about how to resolve it all. Caitlyn hadn't arrived yet, but he didn't have much time. They were meeting in a neutral zone, at a hotel that a nearby kingdom, friendly with both Northfall and Enderby, had offered for the event.
The door opened and Caitlyn came in. She wore a regal white dress, reminiscent of a wedding gown, and gave him a sassy grin as she waltzed over to him.
"It's good to see you again, Benjamin. I mean, in these circumstances. It wouldn’t be so good if we were still on the brink of war."
She threw her arms around him and made to kiss him. Benjamin leaned backward, getting his face out of range of her lips. He wanted to shove her off him but could only imagine what a hell storm that would bring down on him. Even just refusing her kiss had her eyes flashing.
"Better get used to it, Benjie, since we're going to be married."
It was the moment of truth. He gently extracted himself from her arms. "Caitlyn, there are things we need to discuss."
"The terms of marriage, you mean? Well, I was thinking that after our first child was born—"
"There are things that have come to my knowledge that I didn't know when I offered you marriage."
Her eyes glittered and she drew herself up taller, like a bird puffing itself up when faced by a snake. Her hands tightened but relaxed soon enough. A fake smile pushed onto her face. "I don't see what knowledge could possibly change things. It's the best match for both of us. We need mates. We need heirs."
"I have a son."
Caitlyn's jaw dropped. Her eyes widened and she gasped. Clearly, it hadn't been something she had expected. Not that Benjamin really could say that anybody was expecting it, let alone himself. He ran a hand through his hair, wondering how to continue without offending her. This was about more than his kingdom now. However this proceeded, he needed to protect Henry and Julia from Caitlyn's backlash.
"Oh," the queen breathed. "Well. Isn't that nice? But since the child isn't legitimate, our first child together will still be king or queen after you."
That hit a nerve, but Benjamin tried not to allow her to see how much it struck. He shook his head. "There are no laws saying an heir must be a legitimate child, only that he or she must be the eldest. So no. The son that I have will be king after me. We don’t even like each other, Caitlyn. What is the point of marriage? I have to tell you right now that I don't think I'd be able to have children with you. You're a beautiful woman, but I can't share my bed with someone I dislike. And let's be honest: the strain between you and me would tear our marriage apart before the honeymoon was over."
She hissed, hands clenching. Smoke leaked from her mouth. "You offered me marriage. Are you rescinding that offer?"
"No," he said slowly, the words tasting like vomit. "I will do what I must to keep my kingdom safe."
Even if it meant destroying his heart. Even if it meant he could never be with Julia again. She had taught him a valuable lesson. He couldn't put himself first. He might have told himself that the other kingdoms saw him as weak for not having a queen, but it was more his selfish attitude and actions that had caused it. If he had to marry Caitlyn to prove he was no longer like that . . . then so be it.
"In that case, you will marry me!" Caitlyn thumped a closed fist onto his chest. "You will marry me and you will give me children. I'm not giving up my position, my kingdom, because you already have a little brat. My children will rule our kingdoms, not your illegitimate son!"
Benjamin shook his head. "I'm not having children with you."
Flames licked her lips. "Then I will invoke the ancient traditions. I'll have the child's mother put to death for sleeping with my mate."
"She's already dead," Benjamin replied. "She died giving birth. Why is this so important to you? There are other men you could mate. Men you don't have. Why are you so determined to have me? There are other more powerful kingdoms with crown princes looking for a queen. Choose one of them."
Caitlyn slammed her fists against him again. Benjamin grabbed her wrists to stop the onslaught. She glared up at him but there was fear in her eyes as well. What was going on? Was someone threatening her? He frowned. Was there more going on than he suspected?
"I heard about that servant girl you're into," she growled. "What's her name? Julia? I heard there was already an assassination attempt against her. Too bad they failed . . . Maybe next time they won't."
Something snapped. All of Benjamin's control fled and he seized the queen by the neck. She yelped as he threw her against the wall. He pinned her into place with his body, hand still on her throat. Caitlyn stared at him with wide eyes, her chest heaving.
"Did you try to kill Julia?" he snarled.
Caitlyn squirmed in his grasp. "Let me go!"
"Did you try to kill Julia?"
"No!" she shrieked, shaking her head. "No! I don't do that. I wanted to force you to marry me, but I wouldn’t kill anybody to do it. My councilors say they'll vote me out if I don't get your kingdom. I worked so hard to get here. I can't just let it slip away. But I would never send an assassin after her, I swear. I swear!"
"Your councilors . . . " Benjamin released her and stepped back, panting. Caitlyn stared at him with wide, frightened eyes and he dragged a hand over his face, regret welling up. "I'm sorry for manhandling you. I believe you when you say that you didn't send anybody after Julia."
"I didn't," Caitlyn whispered.
The prince strode away, trying to release the energy built up in his system. His mind whirled. Why would Caitlyn's councilors be so determined that they should marry? What did they get from it? He voiced the questions aloud and Caitlyn snorted. She sank into a chair, shivering.
"Because they don't think I could ever get you to marry me. They're all a bunch of sexist pigs and don't think that a queen is good enough to be their ruler, mated or not. They want to force me out and invite my cousin to become king. All this drumming of war is just giving them more of what they want. Do you know how hard it is to keep control of a room when you're constantly being interrupted and undermined?"
"So we need to stop the war." Benjamin nodded. "I will offer you marriage publically. You turn me down and then we withdraw hostilities towards each other."
Caitlyn shook her head. "I'll be voted out."
"Then pick a champion. I'll invoke an ancient tradition, champions fighting against one another instead of all-out battle." Benjamin's mind churned over the possibilities but in the end, he knew it had to be him against whoever the other kingdoms chose.
Caitlyn snorted. "Fine. I'll pick out a champion and your champion will fight them. But if mine wins, we are going to be married. And my allies? They'll put their champions in there, too. You're putting your kingdom at risk. Are you sure it's worth it?"
Benjamin smiled. "I'll be fighting for more than my kingdom. I'm strong. I will not be defeated."
"You . . . " Her eyes widened. "You're going to do the fighting yourself?"
"Yes. Now you'd best get back to your kingdom. I have a formal challenge to draft." Benjamin left the room, ignoring the people on the other side that scattered once he walked through the door.
Energy flowed through him, already planning the words he was going to use to write his challenge. It wasn't often that ancient traditions were invoked these days, but they were never turned down. He would fight the other kingdom's champions.
And he would win. Or lose the kingdom forever.