Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
The icy beauty and elegance of the castle were a blur as they hurried through corridors. Hugo’s mind ran in circles as he struggled to come up with a solution, a fix that would heal Victor’s fractured heart and save the lives of Branem and Wulian soldiers. But nothing was coming to him.
They arrived at the now-familiar double doors that led into the king’s meeting room. Captain Ryze entered with Hugo while the guards following them remained in the hallway. The king stood behind his desk with his hands behind his back. He also looked pale and grim, as if he hadn’t been sleeping.
“Your Majesty,” Hugo greeted. He stopped in the center of the room and bowed deeply to the king, but Victor said nothing to him. Hugo straightened and licked his lips, not sure what to do or say next. Captain Ryze had said nothing about why he’d been summoned. Hugo had just been so relieved to be free of his room that he hadn’t pushed for answers.
Thankfully, he didn’t have long to wait. The double doors to the study opened, and Hugo glanced over his shoulder to see who was joining them. His heart stopped and started in the blink of an eye as Prince Everand walked in, his wrists bound with heavy iron shackles.
Hugo rushed across the room and wrapped his arms around Everand, pulling him into a tight embrace as tears stung his eyes. He’d lost track of how many days had passed since he’d last seen him, last held him tightly.
“Thank the gods, my treasure,” Everand groaned as he pressed his face into Hugo’s shoulder. His bound hands remained trapped between their bodies. “I was so worried.”
Hugo pulled away and crushed their lips together in a painful kiss, needing to reassure himself that his Everand was okay. The soft mouth he’d memorized from hundreds of sweet kisses was now dry and cracked.
Reluctantly, he ended the kiss and pulled away to scrutinize his prince. He was still dressed in the same black suit he’d been wearing the night of the ball, but it was now filthy and showed signs of wear. His skin didn’t look nearly as dirty as he might have expected, so the king must have provided him with some water to wash in. The clothes didn’t hang on him, and he didn’t feel as if he’d lost significant weight since they’d last seen each other.
“My treasure,” Everand cooed. The chains jangled as he lifted his hands to wipe away a tear that had escaped and was streaking down Hugo’s cheek. “I’m okay. No one has harmed me.”
“But the dungeon…” Hugo mumbled, his voice on the verge of cracking. All the strength Hugo had cobbled together on this adventure felt like it was crumbling now that he faced Everand.
“I might be a useless prince, but at least I’m a tough prince. A dungeon won’t break me.”
Hugo smiled—not because he felt it but because he knew Everand needed the reassurance that he was okay as well.
“Enough!” Victor roared.
Hugo didn’t have the chance to move away from Everand. Captain Ryze grabbed the back of his collar and dragged him away from Everand to return to where he’d been standing in the center of the room.
When Everand was standing before King Victor as well, the prince bowed his head respectfully. “Good afternoon, Your Majesty. I wish to thank you for taking good care of Mr. Baker.”
“I see no reason for Mr. Baker to come to harm or suffer the consequences of your family’s poor judgment,” Victor replied sharply. Everand stiffened but said nothing. That only seemed to encourage him. “In fact, I’ve spent some time getting to know Hugo, and he’s even agreed to play a game with me.”
Everand’s eyes narrowed, and his full lips pressed into a hard, thin line. A rock sank to the bottom of Hugo’s stomach, and he wondered if it was possible to sneak out of the room without anyone noticing.
“What. Game?” Everand bit out.
“One to end the stalemate between our two kingdoms. To pay the debt.” Victor paused and flashed the prince a wicked grin. “Your father, thus far, refuses to allow you to remain my captive for the rest of your life. As we speak, he’s amassing his considerable forces at our shared border to the west. War is imminent if I don’t release you in two days.”
“Please, Your Majesty, this doesn’t need to happen. Think of all the good men and women who will die fighting for you, fighting for Wulia,” Hugo pleaded, but Victor didn’t even glance in his direction.
“What game?” Everand repeated.
“I’m willing to let you go. Return home. Be the precious crown prince of Branem. But Hugo…”
He allowed Hugo’s name to hang like an ominous dark specter in the center of the room, threatening everything.
“What? What about Hugo?” Everand shouted while a chill streaked down Hugo’s spine.