Chapter 17

Five full days had passed since Olivia arrived in Thanwine. She had not intended to stay for such a great length of time, but Angeline made her stay so enjoyable, it had gone by in the blink of an eye.

Olivia had gotten acquainted with Talman and Varlan, and even their younger sister, Carmela. The girl was sweet, but Angeline had confided in Olivia that Carmela had a different father than her brothers and she had. Even so, Angeline treated her no differently than a full-blooded sister.

Oddly, Carmela had kept her distance, and Olivia had only seen her at mealtimes.

Angeline tugged on Olivia’s hand. “I promise, he will not bite you.” She laughed gaily. “Father is gentle as a lamb.”

Olivia had met every royal in Thanwine, with the exception of King Hadwin. “I have no fear he will harm me, but you said he is quite ill. Are you certain it is wise to disturb him?”

They reached a door bearing the king’s seal. “He wants to meet you.”

“You told me he cannot speak, so how do you know his wishes?”

“When I informed him you were here, he grunted more than usual.” Angeline grinned and opened the door.

Olivia had no choice but to follow her in. Not only would it be impolite to refuse, Angeline had tightened the hold on her hand.

A stale, sickly odor stung the inside of Olivia’s nose. Angeline had failed to say that her father neared death, but it hung in the air as heavy as the ice on the trees outside the castle.

A tall man dressed in a long white robe stood to the side of the bed, hovering over the king. “I see you brought her,” he mumbled. “I do not understand your reasoning, princess. Your father is unaware.” As he spoke, his long, pointed beard moved rigidly with every turn of his head.

Tiny black hairs mixed into a mass of gray that speckled his unusual beard. Aside from his stern demeanor, bald head, and odd facial hair, Olivia found him oddly attractive and assumed him to be scarcely forty. Nothing like the old healer in Padrida.

She stood firm and went no nearer to the bed.

“Dear, dear, Denali,” Angeline said. “Father realizes more than you. He may not speak, but look at his eyes. They say a great deal.”

Denali peered down at the king and shook his head. “He sleeps. I see nothing.”

Angeline giggled and squeezed Olivia’s hand. “Denali has an odd sense of humor, but he is the finest healer in all the realms.” She released Olivia and approached Denali, then smoothed her hand over the top of his bald head. “I appreciate your concern for my father, but you may leave us.”

“Yes, Highness.” He strode away, acknowledging Olivia with only a nod of his head.

After the click of the shutting door, silence hung in the air, until Olivia recognized a faint wheezing coming from the bed. “Angeline, I should not be here. Your father is gravely ill, and I—”

“Shh.” Angeline touched a single finger to her lips. “Come closer.”

Olivia forced her feet to move and went to Angeline’s side.

King Hadwin’s wrinkled hands were folded together atop the numerous quilts covering his body. A beautiful jeweled ring adorned one of his fingers. His full white beard also rested on the covers like a fluffy cloud. He would have looked serene if not for the drool seeping from the corner of his mouth. The deathly stench made matters worse.

“Father.” Angeline bent close. “Princess Olivia is here with me. Remember me telling you about her? She traveled all the way from Basilia.”

A moan rose up from the man, and his eyes inched open.

Angeline stood tall. “You see? He is quite aware.”

Olivia did all she could to stifle her discomfort. “It is wonderful to meet you, King Hadwin.”

Another groan. Perhaps he indeed comprehended everything around him.

With an unending smile, Angeline lifted a cloth from a small table beside the bed and dabbed at his damp mouth. “Is she not beautiful, Father?”

This time, he grunted. It seemed he had more to say.

Angeline patted his white-haired head. “I know. You always told me I was the fairest in the realms, but she is truly lovely. Inside and out.”

The king resounded a much louder grunt, and Angeline laughed. “I have forgiven her, Father. She and Sebastian are well-suited. Because of her, my heart aches no more.”

A rumbling cough shook the king’s body. He arose slightly, then fell back into his pillows. Bloody spittle dotted his beard.

“You poor, poor, man.” Angeline wiped him clean, acting unfazed by the sight, yet it churned Olivia’s stomach.

“Should you not call the healer?” Olivia whispered.

“He cannot help.” Angeline lifted her head high. “Father has accepted that he will soon stand before God in Heaven.” She lovingly stroked his head. “We will leave you to rest, Father. Olivia must return to Basilia, but I shall come to you again after I see her off.” She bent low and kissed his forehead.

Olivia gingerly touched his arm. “God be with you, Your Majesty.”

He answered with a groan.

To Olivia’s relief, Angeline led her from the room.

Denali stood waiting in the hallway. “I heard coughing. I assume he is awake?”

“Yes.” Angeline gestured into the king’s bedchamber. “Stay at his side. I fear his end is coming sooner than we expected.”

“Yes, Highness.” Denali passed Olivia without acknowledging her presence, went into the king’s room, and shut the door behind him.

“Forgive his abruptness,” Angeline said. “He loves my father, and it hurts him to see him suffer and not be able to help. He gives him herbs for the pain, but there is nothing that can heal him.”

“A sad thing for a healer to accept.”

“True. But he is not God. None of us are. When Father’s time comes, no man can alter its course.” Angeline linked her arm into Olivia’s. “Clarinda is preparing food for your journey, and Darius is making certain your driver has a warmer cloak to wear until you are far from the mountain’s icy reach.”

“Thank you. You have been more than accommodating. I have enjoyed being here, and I am looking forward to returning for the masquerade. Becca’s wedding is sure to be memorable.”

“That it will be.” Angeline increased their pace. “Your man, Jonah, will be glad to leave. I have seen him pacing at the fire for the past two days.”

Olivia laughed. “He is a good man, but yes, he is anxious to go. Though I have seen him enjoy your cook’s exceptional meals, he is not in his element. I believe he misses Sebastian as much as I do.”

“I doubt that.” Angeline stopped and faced her, her gaze more serious than ever before. “Please tell him I hold no hard feelings.”

“I will.” Olivia hugged her, then motioned down the hallway. “I should go to my room and gather my things. I cannot thank you enough for the gowns you lent me.”

“They are gifts, and I expect you to keep them. Basilia is known to have its share of cold weather. They may prove to be useful even there.” Angeline cupped a hand over Olivia’s stomach. “You must keep your baby warm.”

Ever since Olivia told her about her pregnancy, Angeline had been overly attentive to her needs.

“You are an angel.” Olivia gave her another hug, then hurried off to her room. As much as she had enjoyed being here, she missed home.

She thought of Basilia and Padrida and had come to one conclusion. Home was not a place. It was Sebastian and wherever he laid his head at night.

Angeline waved to the parting carriage, with Darius at her side.

Her time with Olivia could not have gone better. The ignorant bitch had accepted her friendship without question.

Darius grunted in a similar fashion to Angeline’s father. “Your lips shall freeze into that ridiculous smile you have worn since those Basilians came through our door.”

“Then take me to my bedchamber and warm them and make me genuinely smile.”

He scowled and shook his head. “I cannot. Lydia is expecting me.”

Angeline turned and headed up the stone steps. “Fine. I cannot trouble myself with you now as it is. I need to see Father.” She stopped in the entryway and allowed Darius to brush the snow off her clothes.

“Why were you so kind to them? It sickened me watching you.”

“I thought you were smarter than this, cousin.” She grinned when his hand lingered on her backside. “Olivia believes I am no threat. She adores me. When the time comes for blame to be cast, she will never consider me.”

Darius bobbed his large head. “You are setting a fine stage.”

“Yes, and dear Olivia enlightened me to something that will allow me to finish my performance with such a magnificent finale, it will never be forgotten.”

“What might that be?”

She put her lips to his ear. “Tannin root. It has deadly qualities and can be steamed into a beverage. Do you know of it?”

“No.”

“Well, you shall become quite familiar with it. I am relying on you to obtain it. Denali will tell you where it can be found.”

Darius glanced around them, then moved closer. “Why not use the poison we spoke of before?”

“I would have had Olivia not specifically mentioned this one. When remnants of it are discovered here, I shall make certain Olivia’s story is shared with the appropriate person.”

A deep chuckle rose out of Darius. “Frederick?”

“Who else?” She ached to rush Darius away to her bedchamber. Far too many days had passed since their last encounter. “Leave me. See to your wife, but vow to be in my chamber when the sun sets.”

“I swear it.” Smirking, he bowed low, then walked away.

He needed a good swat to the backside, but that would have to wait.

She hastened to her father’s room, where she found Denali, pacing.

“There is little time,” he said. “I sent for the priest and your brothers. Your sister as well.”

“Why her? She shares no blood with my father.”

“Even so, he never denounced her and raised her as his own. Our people assume her to be part of the royal line.” He stepped away from the bed, took her by the hand, and led her to the other side of the room. “Trouble yourself not with her. Finish what you have started, and all will be well.”

“Yes, it will. I informed Darius about the tannin root and told him you will direct him where to find it.” She could not refrain from smiling. “I could not have planned this better.”

“I tell you . . .” Denali patted her hand. “You are the prophesied one. Never have I known a stronger woman. You were created to rule.”

“And you will be by my side forever.”

“If only I could have fulfilled the role your cousin took. I often wonder what it would have been like to experience the deepest of pleasures in your arms.”

“Hush.” She stroked his head. “You have a greater purpose. Any ordinary man can lay with a woman, but it takes someone exceptional to do what you are gifted at. You serve me in a much higher capacity.”

“A eunuch who can heal,” he grumbled. “If only I could have healed myself.”

“It was a wretched accident, Denali. But you are no less a man, and I love you.” She kissed his cheek. “Now, give me a moment alone with my father before the others arrive.”

“Yes, Highness.” He nodded and left the room.

She returned to her father’s bed and perched on the edge. The man had become a shadow of his former self—the father who had coddled her and treated her like a queen.

“All has been set in motion, Father. I will be the ruler you said I would. Darius is working with me on my archery skills, as well as training me in swordplay. I grow stronger every day.”

Her father moaned, then whimpered.

“Do not fear for me.” She rested her hand on his. “One day, everyone in the realms will bow before me. They will trust me as their leader. Remember the words, she alone will rule the lands, and peace will come at her commands.” She glanced his way, only to find tears trickling from the corners of his eyes.

She had no doubt he understood everything.

“The kingdoms are restless, Father. And yes, every king must die. Sadly, because Talman will soon be taking your place, he, too, shall have to be sacrificed. War is inevitable, and I will be the savior who will lead our realms to peace.”

“No . . .” The word bubbled from his lips. It had been months since he had uttered a single syllable.

“What do you mean, no? I am the one prophesied. Can you not see that?”

“No,” he gurgled, then coughed hard, spewing blood onto the blankets. His eyes remained on hers and he breathed heavily.

If he managed one word, he could potentially find a way to say more.

She had been speaking openly in front of him for too long, and he had heard more than he should. She had believed him incapable of speech.

“I love you, Father, but I cannot allow you to challenge my plans or even reveal them for that matter.” She jumped from the bed and quietly locked the chamber door, then returned to him.

The words of the prophecy spun through her mind.

After removing the long cord used to tie back the canopy around her father’s bed, Angeline hoisted her skirt high, climbed atop the mattress, and straddled him. “Not until the earth runs red, and every king is lying dead,” she whispered the prophetic words, then wrapped the cord around his neck. “This will keep you from suffering and myself from betrayal.” With every word, she twisted the cord tighter and tighter.

He gurgled and groaned. All the while, his weakened body squirmed ever-so-slightly beneath her, but eventually stilled.

She leaned close to his mouth. No more breath escaped it.

Satisfied, she loosened the cord and put it back in its place, then fluffed his beard to hide his red-striped neck. No one but Denali and she had wanted to touch him since he became ill, so she had no fears of anyone discovering what she had done. They would assume it a natural passing.

Once all was set, she ran for the door, unlocked it, and flung it open. “Denali! Come quickly!”

He stood a short distance down the hallway, speaking to the priest, who had undoubtedly just arrived. They both hurried into the room.

She burst into tears. “I was speaking to him. He coughed and sputtered, then gasped for air.” Sniffling, she held a hand to her heart. “I fear he is dead.”

Denali pressed his hand to her father’s chest, then bent low and put his ear in front of his mouth. When he rose up again, he faced the priest. “She speaks truly. Our king is dead.”

Angeline sobbed harder as the priest lifted his hands and muttered some kind of rhetoric.

Denali put his arm around her. “I will bring your brothers. The priest will perform the rite of passage. Today, Talman will become king of Thanwine.”

“If only he had listened to me and insisted the rite be performed months ago during an acceptable full moon,” Angeline rightfully blubbered through her tears. “How can his ascension be sanctified when God sleeps?”

“I shall bless it,” the priest mumbled, then rambled on with his silly ritualistic words.

Denali guided her from the room. “You know full well Talman’s reign will not be blessed,” he whispered.

She burrowed into his shoulder. “The end of all the kings’ reigns has begun.” She wiped her eyes and stared into Denali’s. “I loved my father. This pains me more than you can imagine.”

“I know.” He rubbed her back in slow circles. “One step forward. You are well on your way.”

She nodded and stood tall. “Bring my brothers, but say nothing to Carmela. No matter what you say, she does not belong here. She can learn of Father’s death along with the rest of the kingdom.”

“Very well.” He bowed low and left her.

Not wanting to listen to any more of the priest’s muttering, she remained in the hallway and waited.

It did not take long before Denali returned with Talman and Varlan. Talman’s eyes bore hunger rather than sorrow. And when the priest removed their father’s ring from his finger and placed it on Talman’s, his pride filled the room.

Talman held his hand in the air and admired the sparkling jewels. “Becca will marry a king, not a prince. What better wedding gift could I bestow on her?”

Angeline had to bite her tongue to keep from uttering what she wanted to say.

Her father’s body had not even grown cold, yet her brother gloated in his presence. She would have no difficulty slitting his throat, when the time came.

Not until the earth runs red, and every king is lying dead.

Sniffling, she put her back to the dismal display and grinned.