MARISELLE FOLLOWED PRINCESS Eva into dining hall, where her mother, the queen, and Eva’s brothers were seated at the royal table. Behind them were several guards dressed in full armor. Their presence made Mariselle nervous, especially the tallest one, whose eyes were cold enough to give her goosebumps.
As they drew closer, Mariselle’s attention was drawn to the large feast laid out. It appeared that there was everything from roasted chicken and pig, to berries, nuts, and some kind of pudding.
Noticing them, the four boys stood up, as did Karina.
“Good evening, Your Highness,” Mariselle’s mother said to the princess, curtsying. “You look very lovely this evening.”
Princess Eva thanked her.
“Your preparations took longer than necessary, I believe,” the queen said to her daughter, as everyone sat back down. “I almost sent a search-party for you.”
“I’m sorry, Mother,” Princess Eva replied, looking embarrassed. “It was my fault. I wanted Mariselle to look pretty.”
“Likely excuse. Mariselle always looks pretty,” Griffin said with a charming smile.
Mariselle blushed and grinned back at him. She wanted to tell him that he also looked very handsome, but was too shy. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Winking, he grabbed a grape and popped it into his mouth.
“My goodness,” Karina said, her eyes wide. “I hope you thanked Princess Eva for allowing you to borrow such a beautiful gown.”
“She most certainly did,” said the princess, answering for her.
“Good. You’re too kind, Your Highness,” Karina said, her eyes misting. “As are all of you for taking us in.”
“It’s our pleasure,” the queen replied with a warm smile.
Mariselle sat next to her mother. “Where’s Papa?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure,” she replied.
“He’s with the king,” Queen Lizbeth said, taking a sip of wine. “I imagine that they should be joining us shortly, however.”
Mariselle stared in awe at the sparkly rings on the queen’s fingers. Rubies, emeralds, and sapphires glittered as she set her goblet down. She recalled a conversation between her parents in regards to the queen’s clothing and jewelry. Her father had claimed that the cost of one gown could feed a family for a year. From his tone, Mariselle could tell that he hadn’t approved either.
The sound of clanging metal and footsteps drew everyone’s attention.
“Speaking of which, I think that must be them, now,” the queen said, sitting back in her chair.
King Edward, along with Mariselle’s father and six soldiers, entered the dining area. Everyone seated, including the queen this time, rose in greeting.
“Darling, I’m so glad you’re able join us,” she said, when Edward kissed her cheek. “You must be famished.”
“Actually, I’ve lost most of my appetite,” he said dryly, sitting down.
“I’m sure, but you need to eat to keep up your strength,” she replied.
He nodded.
Everyone else took their seats.
“Have you seen Gaylen?” King Edward asked. “He seems to have disappeared again.”
Her eyebrows knitted together. “Really?” she replied, grabbing the wine jug. She reached over and filled his goblet. “Well, I certainly haven’t seen him. Not that I was looking for Gaylen to begin with.”
“He must me still on his mission. Hopefully, he’ll have some good news when he arrives,” the king said, reaching for a chicken leg.
“Does he know about Angelique’s visit to the Langers?” Queen Lizbeth asked.
“No. I haven’t seen him since early this morning,” the king replied between chews.
A flash of light appeared and suddenly, the wizard himself was standing in the dining hall. Having never seen him before, Mariselle stared at the mage with wide eyes.
“What do you know? Ask, and you shall receive,” the queen said dryly, taking another sip of her wine.
“Your Majesty,” Gaylen said, stepping toward the table. “Forgive me for interrupting, but we need to talk.”
“Can’t it wait?” Queen Lizbeth said, looking irritated. “The king is eating his supper.”
“Indeed. You may join us,” King Edward said, licking his fingers. He nodded toward an empty chair. “Sit, Gaylen.”
“Thank you, Sire,” Gaylen replied, as King Edward grabbed another piece of chicken and took a bite. “I really do feel that it’s imperative we talk in private now, however.”
The king finished chewing and dropped the piece of chicken onto his plate. “You have news of Angelique?”
He nodded.
The queen sighed. “Then why don’t you just share it with the rest of us? Tell us, Wizard, did you manage to do your job and get rid of her?”
GAYLEN DESPISED QUEEN Lizbeth and couldn’t wait to see the life snuffed out of her cold, blue eyes. As far as the king, he’d served under much worst tyrants. If anything, Edward was too soft. The fact that he had commoners feasting at his table demonstrated it. When he became the new ruler, things would definitely change.
“I do have some news. News that is quite unsettling and in my opinion, not meant for young ears,” he said, motioning toward Mariselle.
Edward stood up. “Then let’s take this conversation elsewhere. Marcus, you will join us.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” said the sheriff, rising out of the chair.
“May I come, too?” Griffin asked.
“No,” the queen said firmly.
“Yes,” King Edward said at the same time.
“I want to come, too,” Aiden demanded. “I saw the witch first. If it wasn’t for me, Gaylen might not have been here to protect us when she showed up yesterday.”
His father nodded. “Yes. I agree. You should be included.”
Aiden grinned.
The two youngest boys began whining about wanting to join them as well and Gaylen groaned inwardly. He hated children, especially the king’s irritating brood.
“No. You’ll stay and eat,” Edward said firmly.
“Oh, for Heaven’s sake. Why don’t you just announce it to all of us, Gaylen,” the queen grumbled, looking more irritated then ever. “If it’s a matter of safety, we should all know what’s happening.”
Gaylen would have loved to announce what was really going through his mind but didn’t dare. They’d have his head.
Before he could reply with something less suicidal, King Edward gently touched his wife’s shoulder. “The guards are here to protect you, Lizbeth. As Gaylen mentioned before, the news is probably not for young ears. Don’t worry, I’ll fill you in on everything later.”
She reluctantly nodded.
12
AS THE GUARDS led them through the castle, Edward’s thoughts were on Angelique; the sight of her had awakened something he thought he’d buried long ago. Feeling foolish, he reminded himself that the woman was evil and vowed to do everything in his power to keep his family safe.
His kingdom safe.
He wasn’t a young, na?ve man anymore who would succumb so easily to her wiles. Thank goodness Gaylen had set him straight all those years ago. Edward had actually thought about taking her as his queen, even though it would have caused an uproar in the kingdom. If the wizard hadn’t shown him solid proof that Angelique had sold her soul to the Devil, he would have made a tragic error and one that could have cost him everything. He recalled the night he’d slipped her a sleeping potion, upon Gaylen’s recommendation. Afterward, the wizard snuck into his chamber and they’d pulled back her eyelid, which revealed an odd, blue birthmark.
“It’s the sign of the beast,” Gaylen had assured him.
At first he scoffed at the idea, but then the wizard brought him to Angelique’s home. In her shack they’d located a dark spell book hidden under the floorboards.
“It looks like she’s cast a love spell on you, Your Majesty,” Gaylen said, showing him a page in which someone had inked in the name ‘Edward’.
After searching through the book, and seeing further notes relating to him, even Edward couldn’t deny that the evidence was damning.
Heartbroken, Edward had Angelique arrested. In the end, he’d been too weak to have her executed, but made sure she was banished from Syracuse. Now, she was back and a threat once again. It was a relief to have Gaylen on his side. Without him, the kingdom would have fallen long ago.