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)
As I planned… I nearly scoff. He was to provide an heir, because I cannot. His child would be in secret and it is his legacy that would continue. I had not planned on them falling in love. It’s not truly a concession. Casen is not saying he will surrender his claim on Cora—a claim that he stole out from under me. No, he is saying that—
He is saying that there is a way we could both have her.
I meet his eyes for a moment, but he only looks back at me, his expression unchanged.
I read his note again.
“Prince Jasper,” the king says. “Prince Casen. Is there something you wish to share?”
I’ve not had enough time to respond. I have not even had enough time to fully put aside my hurt and anger.
However, there is something more behind my brother’s stoic expression. There is hurt as well. Hurt I knowingly caused him, even if I could not admit it to myself at the time.
I didn’t think he would intervene because I thought of him as ruined, just as he has since the battle. I thought he would keep himself hidden. Even if Casen did not, I thought Princess Cora would—
Shame turns my face hot. I thought Cora would fear him. Recoil from him. My plan was to orchestrate their meeting so that I could reassure her that he was not as he appeared.
That was a mistake. A grave mistake. Part of me wishes to argue that it was not as grave a mistake as taking the princess to bed when I was supposed to be the one courting her, but deep down, I know it was far worse.
Because the truth is that I will never have a kingdom without my brother. I cannot father children. Casen’s note speaks the truth. His wounds are on his face, but mine are hidden.
If I am to have an heir to take my crown and kingdom when I pass, the child will need to be fathered by my brother.
What kind of a man am I to assume there could be no attraction between Casen and a woman? What did I assume of Princess Cora, to think she could only have feelings for a man with a face unmarked by war and battle? Did I truly believe that she would only feel pity for Casen? Did I believe pity was all he deserved?
He was wrong, but I was also wrong. I do not know how we will overcome this. Where do we begin? Where does this end? Nothing has been settled by this conversation. It has only brought more hurt.
I fold the note into my pocket, buying myself a few more moments to gather myself.
Then I face the king.
“Your Majesty,” I begin, and feel Casen’s eyes on the side of my face. After a moment, I hear him turn to face the king as well. He watches us both, his expression unchanging. “There are…other matters to be discussed between us.”
The king raises his eyebrows. “You have reconciled, then?”
I hesitate to address his question. Swallowing my own shame, I answer, “We need to speak of what has happened, and then I am sure my brother and I will come to an understanding.”
The king nods, looking between me and my brother. He takes a couple of steps toward us, then pauses again. This man has protected the princess to the best of his ability since the passing of his queen, and I do not want to disappoint him. I do not wish to disappoint any of us, or be disappointed once again.
“You may use whichever room you find most convenient to have your discussion,” the king says. “What you will not do is shame my daughter for your actions. You may not leave the castle until she has made her decision.”
She has made her decision.
His statement haunts me. Perhaps the princess will choose my brother and keep her kingdom separate from my own…and take my brother from me. The very idea chills me. The loss would be unbearable. “Yes, Your Majesty.” Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Casen nod his agreement.
“I will go up to ensure the Princess Cora is well,” the king says with a curt nod. “Good night, Prince Jasper. Prince Casen.”
Chapter 21
Cora
I’m too unsettled after all that has happened to keep anything from Isabel. If I could confess to my father, surely my dearest friend should know.
When my father leaves, she comes back into my chamber and embraces me without saying a word. For a few minutes I cannot speak. There is too much I have not admitted to her, and not enough that I have admitted to my father.
When Isabel releases me, I catch her hand and look into her eyes. “I think—I am ready to talk about what happened.”