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)
Sickening knots tightened in Hugo’s stomach. “King Dominic wouldn’t have been happy about losing his wife in such an embarrassing manner.”
“No. King Dominic declared war on Branem on the same day that Philip and Victoria were married. In fact, the last three wars Branem and Wulia have waged against each other have ties back to this Philip-Victoria-Dominic mess. Considering all the bad blood, I’m surprised King Xavier named his only son after his missing mother.”
“Maybe King Xavier never saw his mother as abandoning him, but she was stolen from him. And that perception has been passed down to his son,” Hugo suggested.
Everand lowered his head and rubbed his forehead with the hand that wasn’t holding Hugo, looking as if he was fighting a headache. “Possibly. So King Victor now wants to take me as a hostage to make up for the queen who ran off. To repay the old debt.”
“Ev, I think you need to get some rest. You’re exhausted, and even if you’re permitted to speak to King Victor again, you’re in no condition to do it calmly and rationally. Sleep. When we’ve both rested, maybe we’ll be able to come up with a way to talk some sense into the king. End all this bad blood and wars at last.”
The prince lifted his head and stared at him with a crooked, weary smile. Dark circles underlined his eyes, which he seemed to struggle to keep open. “I like your optimism, Hugo. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“No need to worry about that. I promise to be here for as long as you need me.”
Fingers tightened on Hugo’s, and the old fierceness flashed in Everand’s eyes. “Always. I need you always.”
“Okay.”
Everand started to release him but caught his hand and even grabbed Hugo’s sleeve with his other hand. “One thing.”
“Yes?”
“Now that we’re here, you need to swear one thing to me—obey whatever the king or the guards demand of you. No more fighting. No more threats. I need you to be a model prisoner.”
“But—”
“No, Hugo. As your prince, I’m commanding this.” Hugo frowned. This didn’t sound good at all. Everand shut his eyes and tried to wiggle even closer. “As your fake fiancé and would-be husband, I’m begging you to do as they say. I have zero power here, and I can’t protect you. Right now, King Victor doesn’t want to hurt me because he needs to get my father to cave to his wishes, but that restraint doesn’t extend to you. Please, my treasure, I need to know that you’re as safe as I can make you.”
Hugo understood what he was saying, but he was also afraid that King Victor would try to use him to control or even harm Everand. “Very well. I’ll behave as long as they don’t hurt you.” It was the best he could offer.
“Okay. Thank you. Now, go to sleep. We’ll talk more after we’ve rested,” Everand urged. He released Hugo and climbed to his feet with much grunting and groaning.
Hugo might have smirked until he tried to stand as well, and his body let out some creaks and moans. He stumbled and shuffled over to the pile of hay that was to serve as his bed. There was also a bucket in the corner that would serve for more personal matters. Lovely. He led the most interesting life. He’d gone from a prisoner in a Branem tower to the prince’s lover to a prisoner in a Wulian dungeon. Not what he would have expected for himself in the slightest.
At least the hay looked new. No signs of bugs or rats, which was a plus. He lowered his body onto the makeshift bed, the fresh scent tickling his nose. The straw scratched and poked at him through his tuxedo, but he finally found a somewhat comfortable position.
Yet, even though he was weary down to his bones, sleep eluded him. His mind buzzed with thoughts about King Philip, Queen Victoria, and King Dominic. In some ways, he could understand the feelings of Philip and Victoria. Hugo loved Everand so deeply that he was sure he’d go to some dramatic lengths to remain at his side. Hell, he’d threatened to fill a man with glass. Stealing Everand wasn’t that far of a jump.
Why had Dominic forced the matter after Victoria had told him she loved another? Had it been about ego and taking something from another king? Or had he also been in love with Victoria? Had he thought he could convince her to love him?
In all of it, the most innocent victim was baby Xavier. What would it have been like growing up thinking that his mother had abandoned him? Did she ever think about him and weep for the child she left behind? He didn’t know, but he suspected that the pain Xavier had suffered was now passed on to his son, King Victor.