Isadora
I look at Vincent and Nathan’s faces and know immediately that whatever they’re thinking I won’t like me is serious, very serious. I’ll lecture them about not hiding things from me later, for now I just need to get them to talk to me. Neither of them looks like they want to speak. For a long moment they both just stare at me.
“Isadora,” Nathan says finally, “you’d better sit down.”
“It’s about your mother,” Vincent says
“My mother?” I know now without a doubt whatever they have to tell me is going to be horrible.
“Yes.” Vincent nods.
“She's been planning something,” Nathan says.
If they expect me to be shocked, they’re wrong. There hasn't been a single moment of my life where my mother wasn't hatching some plan or devising some scheme. Most of her plots are treacherous at best and deadly at worst. From the way Nathan and Vincent are behaving, from the way shadows of worry cloud both their handsome faces, I can tell whatever they’ve learned about my mother has come as a surprise to them. I know they want to protect me, but nothing they can say will be low to me. No one on this earth knows better than I do how dangerous my mother can be.
“What about her?”
“You'll remember I told you she missed our meeting,” Nathan says.
“I remember.”
“Well, that's because she was meeting a man,” Nathan continues. “A man named Alex Richter.”
“The assassin,” I say.
Nathan and Vincent exchange looks with each other before turning back to me. I suspect that they, like most people, assume that because I’ve spent most of my time in school surrounded by books that I don’t know the real inner workings of politics. I know more than most people think. Most took my silence for indifference or disinterest, but being quiet allowed me to learn more than I ever could by speaking. It’s amazing what people will reveal if they think you’re just pretty and shy and harmless. Besides, some of my mother’s staff aren’t as loyal as she thinks.
“Yes,” Nathan says, “the assassin. I take your mother has used him before.”
“They know each other,” I say carefully. I love both these men with all my heart, but until I know what my mother has planned, I don't want to say too much.
“She wants him to kill Nathan,” Vincent says.
I remain silent, my lips pressed together in a thin line... The rage I hold toward my mother is something I've held in my heart since I was a child. It’s threatening to unfurl, and I can’t let that happen, not yet. I marshal all of my self-control and push it down. Now is not the time to be blinded by anger. I have to know everything that my husbands do, and I know there’s more.
“And?” I say calmly.
“She plans to blame Vincent for my murder,” Nathan finishes.
“Thus gaining control of all three kingdoms, no doubt doing away with me as soon as possible.” I can't hide the bitterness in my voice.
“Don't worry, we won't let her hurt you.” Vincent says.
I want to laugh. They have no idea how my mother has hurt me. They're twenty years too late to protect me from her.
“What are we going to do?” I say, emphasizing the we. Whether they know it or not, they won't be able to handle my mother without me.
“Isadora, your mother is dangerous.”
“Maybe it would be best if we sent you a-”
“No,” I say, cutting them both off. “I'm not going anywhere. Do you honestly think I don't know how dangerous my mother is?” I rise from my chair, pacing the room. This isn’t going to be easy for me to say. “I know how dangerous she is better than either one of you. Do you think my father really drowned in the pool?”
They both stare at me, understanding dawning on their faces.
“He was murdered?” Vincent asks.
“Yes.”
“Richter?” Nathan asks.
“No, my mother.”
“Are you sure?” Nathan asks the question I see in both their eyes.
“Am I sure? I saw it happen. I can never forget it. It's burned in my mind's eyes forever.” I take a deep breath. “I'd woken up in the middle of the night from a nightmare. My nanny was asleep, but I didn't want her. I wanted my father. I knew he always took an evening swim before bed. So, I went to the pool to find him. Instead, I found my mother pushing him into the pool. Holding him under until there was no movement. I suspect she drugged him first to make it easier. She didn't see me. I ran back to my room and got into bed. The next morning I woke up to what I already knew—my father was dead.”
“I’m so sorry,” Vincent says.
“Do you think she know that you saw her?” Nathan asks.
“If she thought that I wouldn't be standing here. Until this very moment I've never told another soul. My mother will kill anyone who stands between her and what she wants.”
I feel suddenly lighter, finally being able to share my secret. Nathan and Vincent both wrap me in their arms. I feel safe and secure for the first time in my life. If my mother thinks I'll let her take this from me, if she thinks she can steal the only good thing she's ever given me—
She’s mistaken. Nathan and Vincent both whisper words of comfort and reassurance to me.
“Don't worry, Isadora, we'll stop her,” Nathan says.
“No one else is going to die by your mother's hand.” Vincent promises, kissing my lips.
No, they won't, I think to myself, kissing Vincent before turning to Nathan. I need them now more than ever. I want another moment with them like I had at the bedding ceremony because I know what I'm going to do. I kiss them both like it could be the last time I ever do, and if my plan fails it may well be our last kiss.