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)
“Fine. Tomorrow morning, we leave. If your proof fails to convince me, Prince Everand will be left behind, and Hugo will return to Onisa with me to become my husband.” While King Victor stared at Everand, the prince kept his eyes locked on Hugo.
Prince Everand frowned, his handsome face a ghostly white. “This isn’t my decision to make.” He lifted his hands, chains jangling softly, and touched Hugo’s cheek. “I can’t ask you to make this sacrifice. Personally, I want to shove the deal back in his face and march down to the dungeon. I’m willing to wait for my father’s forces to rescue me. But…”
“But I’m not willing to endanger the lives of all those people. It could all stop if I pledge my loyalty to King Victor,” Hugo finished for him. A lump formed in Hugo’s throat, and he struggled to get the words past the emotions bubbling up inside him. “I don’t want to lose you, but I have to live with myself. It would have been wonderful to have a lifetime with you, but I can savor the memories we have made together for the rest of my years.”
“Don’t give up. The proof is there. I promise.” Everand leaned in to steal a kiss, but just as his lips brushed Hugo’s, Victor made a noise. The guards jumped into action, pulling Everand away again.
“Return him to the dungeon and Hugo to his rooms,” Victor snapped coldly. “I have a wedding to plan.”
Twenty-Seven
Shortly after Hugo finished his dinner that evening, there was a knock on his door. He was shocked to find Captain Ryze standing on the other side, looking more than a bit uncomfortable. At least he didn’t appear fearful or anxious like on his last visit.
“Everand is okay, right?” Hugo blurted out.
“Huh? Yes, of course!” the captain snapped. “Why would you think something happened to him?”
Hugo heaved a deep sigh, letting the panic drain out of him. “Just checking. What do you need, Captain? I’m sure your spouses have dinner waiting for you.”
“I’m sure they do. However, I need you to do something for me before I go off shift.”
Hugo lifted his eyebrows. This sounded like a request. That was interesting since he was a prisoner and had no power. “Go on.”
“Cheer him up.”
“Who? Everand?”
“No, King Victor.”
Hugo rocked back a step. “You’re joking, right? How could I cheer him up? He doesn’t like me.”
“He does.”
Hugo shifted from one foot to the other and crossed his arms over his chest. “You think his so-called marriage proposal today was based on his feelings for me?”
“Oh, gods, no!” His words dissolved into rolling chuckles that had Hugo itching to slam the door closed in Ryze’s face.
“Exactly. It’s all an attempt at manipulation. The chats. Our dinner and stroll through the garden. It’s an act either to hurt Everand or to get me to betray my prince. He can cheer himself up.” Hugo retreated and grabbed the door, but he didn’t get far in closing it. Ryze slapped his hand against the wood, holding it open.
“Yes, some of it was to get information and manipulate you, but not all of it. I believe he respects you and enjoys your companionship.” Ryze lowered his voice and took a step closer to Hugo. “His Majesty is a very solitary person.”
Hugo could take a hint. Victor didn’t have friends or confidants he could talk to. He was alone. It wasn’t something Hugo had a lot of personal experience with. Growing up, he’d always had Dorian to confide in. Even Augustine, when he wasn’t being too annoying. The idea of having no one at all seemed very horrible.
“I take it today’s conversation left him in a foul mood,” Hugo murmured.
“Dark.”
“Which could cause bad things to happen tomorrow as we travel to Her Majesty’s crypt?”
“Maybe. Probably not.” Ryze retreated and scrubbed a hand through his hair, messing his loose brown curls up. “Look, he’s my king, and I don’t want to see him miserable. Even if you weren’t in love with Prince Everand, wouldn’t you at least try to spare a thought for his well-being? That’s all I’m trying to do.” Ryze paced a short distance away, cursing under his breath. “I’m horrible at this. My husband says I have the emotional awareness of a turnip.”
“I’ll go. I don’t know what good it will do, but I’ll try. But if he orders my execution, I’m returning to haunt you for the rest of your days.”
Ryze’s smile was huge and crooked as he hurried Hugo through the halls. Hugo was still debating what to say to the king when he found himself shoved into the king’s study and the door shut behind him.
King Victor’s head popped up from where he’d been writing something and scowled at Hugo. “Yes?”
“Oh…um…this isn’t…the library,” he stammered. He swallowed hard and edged toward the king, closing the distance between them with each awkward word he spoke. “I was bored and thought I’d find a new book to read. This castle is so big. It’s easy to get turned around and lost. Do you think you could help me find the library?”