Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 72146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
My footsteps heavy and rushed, I reach the main passage that leads to the great hall and let out a breath of relief. The intensity of the relief is evident and only furthers my knowledge that my emotions are unstable. There is Cora, at the opposite end of the hall with her friend, Isabel.
Gorgeous but a worrisome look in her eyes.
I’m no longer relieved when I see that Princess Cora is fanning her face with her eyes closed. Isabel appears to be comforting her. Why? Was there some attack on the palace? From within the palace? Has someone dared to attempt to harm her?
Voices surround me in a dim hum as I go toward her, intent on discovering what has upset Princess Cora so. It’s her father, the king, who speaks, his voice hearty and booming, though the man is not shouting.
“—no need for any upset, I am sure, Prince Casen,” he says, as I pass the wide doorway to the great hall. Prince Casen? What is my brother doing down here? This is not the plan I described to him last night. Panic races through me. She’s met him? She’s seen him before I could explain. Why would he do this? Does he not realize it makes it harder for what must happen? “If there is some way you could—yes, boy, bring a bit of paper so the prince may write.”
I follow the king’s voice into a sunroom past the great hall.
“Your Majesty,” I say, and bow to the king. “Casen. What has happened?”
The boy the king sent for paper returns, running it to my brother. He takes a pencil from his pocket and writes something, then hands the note to me.
I need to speak to you. Now.
A chill runs through me. Has he changed his mind? I take a deep breath and fold the note into my palm. “Your Majesty, forgive us. My brother wishes to speak with me about some urgent matter.” It takes great effort to look the king in the eyes. The unsettled nature is not one of a king or even a prince. I’ve brought chaos to his castle.
“Very well.” The king claps us both on our shoulders and sweeps out of the room. “Where is my daughter? She seemed to take a turn. Is she all right?”
Someone answers him from the hallway. I don’t pay attention to what they say. I face my brother. “What is it? Why have you come down? This was not what we agreed upon when we spoke last night.”
Casen holds out his hand for the scrap of paper, then writes again.
I felt I had no choice.
“Why not?”
Irritation mixes with a deep sorrow. Although he is marred, his expression is one of regret.
I love her and I know he could too. She could love him, I know she would in some capacity. If only they would give this a chance.
“What is it?” I question when he doesn’t make a move to confess why this morning has gone so poorly.
Tension strains between us and I feel as if I will go mad. My brother could have come to me this morning. He could have found me in the garden. He knew I planned to speak to Princess Cora there. Casen knew he was supposed to meet us in the garden as well, so that I might introduce her to him privately. I wanted him to be present for that introduction. He is my brother. He knows the secret I have not yet told Cora. Casen will remain by my side after I am wed, because that is the promise we made to each other after we came home from the war.
Casen writes more slowly this time, but his eyes are hard when he hands me the paper.
I have had the princess. Many times.
The blood drains from my face as I read his words. At first I cannot comprehend them. Words fail me for a moment. The thin parchment between my fingers trembles in my grasp.
“Princess Cora?” I question, my throat dry. “You mean to tell me that you have had—” I drop my voice to keep this shocking betrayal from reaching anyone who may be able to hear me from the hall. “You mean to tell me that you have had Princess Cora?”
My head is light with a haze of confusion. She’s been with another man, that I know. But it cannot be.
He grabs the paper out of my hand and writes, then holds up the note so I might see it.
She was in need. Many times. Many nights. And I came to her bed. I’m sorry, brother.
The parchment itself is blasphemy and must be burned at once. No one can know of such things of the princess. And yet, I cannot move. I’m paralyzed as I stare at him, unable to think. My heart pounds with anger. My hands curl into fists. My brother stares back at me, his scarred face all I can see. There is always guilt when I look at him, and it is no different now, but his actions are like a sword through my guts.