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)
Hugo tightened his grip on Everand’s hand. “King Victor said that his grandfather only offered to marry Victoria because she was pregnant, and King Philip’s father refused to allow them to marry. He was trying to protect her.”
The prince grunted. “I never heard that, but I’m sure it’s possible. No one in my family will talk about what happened, and now everyone who was alive during that time is gone.”
“And they’ve taken the truth with them.”
“Regardless of what happened so long ago, it’s not worth people dying over now. When I take the throne, I don’t want to inherit this shadow. I want to focus on boring things.”
Hugo had started to rest his head on Everand’s shoulder, but he lifted it and cocked his head so he could look in the prince’s eyes. “Boring things? Like what?”
“Education and making sure my people have proper health care. Did you know that fewer people are born each year with magic? I want to know why there’s less magic in the world. And if Wulia and Branem can stop fighting for a while, we could really strengthen the trade between our two kingdoms—” A burst of laughter from Hugo cut off Everand’s words.
Hugo wrapped him in a tight hug. “I love your idea of boring. You’re going to make an amazing king,” Hugo murmured into his neck. Strong arms held Hugo, squeezing him.
“I can be amazing if I have you at my side.”
Hugo wanted that. It was the only thing he wanted in all the world. To be at Everand’s side, to help guide him as they guided Branem to take steps toward a new bright, happy future. There were just a couple of small matters that had to be taken care of first.
Twenty-Nine
An hour ticked by before King Victor left the crypt. Hugo and Everand had found a spot in the soft grass to sit and talk while the Wulian guards protected their king. Victor emerged with red-rimmed eyes and a pale face, but something about him looked steadier now. The pendant Everand had given Victor was clenched in his fist, and the silver necklace hung down. A warm spring breeze stirred and ruffled his white hair, making the king seem almost ethereal.
Hugo and Everand pushed to their feet and took a few steps closer. Everand kept an arm slung across Hugo’s shoulders. The embrace was light but so very possessive.
“Did you find the opening in the pendant?” Everand called.
“I did,” Victor admitted, lifting the fist holding the necklace to his heart.
“Huh?”
Everand smirked. “The canary diamond hides a locket. I sneaked a peek as a child and found two portraits. For a long time, I thought I had a long-lost brother no one talked about.”
No, the old queen had carried the portraits of her two grandsons.
“I will need time…to consider everything I’ve seen,” Victor announced.
“Understandable,” Everand agreed.
It was on the tip of Hugo’s tongue to ask if that meant he and Everand were free now, but he caught that overeager appendage between his teeth to hold the words in.
“But I would like to return one day…”
“Visit anytime you want. I just request that you don’t remove anything. The code to the lock is the year you were born,” Everand replied.
Victor nodded once and put the necklace over his head. He tucked the pendant inside his shirt, protecting it while keeping it against his skin.
“Does this mean that I met your requirements? We’re both free to return to Frostbourne?” Everand prodded.
Hugo poked the prince in the side. He might have had the same question, but Everand could have framed it a little nicer.
“Oh, yes. You’re free to go. I’ll send a messenger to King Hubert. We’ll start a conversation soon.” Victor’s gaze shifted to Hugo, and one corner of his mouth tipped higher. “I’ll also include that part of the credit for the upcoming peace talks goes to Mr. Baker. He’s the one who helped me realize that it’s time to let old wounds heal. Maybe that will convince the king and queen that their soon-to-be son-in-law isn’t so common after all.”
Hugo opened his mouth to thank King Victor for his efforts, but the words never left his throat. Captain Ryze and the other two guards jumped forward, placing their bodies in front of their king, their swords drawn.
“What the—” Hugo gasped, backpedaling.
“Come here! Hurry!” Victor shouted.
The words were barely out of his mouth when the low rumbling growl rolled out of the nearby woods. Hugo swung around to see an entire pack of wolves slowly creeping from the shadows of the nearby tree line. The beasts were enormous, far bigger than average wolves. They were almost the size of ponies. Their black-and-brown fur stood up, and menacing fangs dripped saliva.
Hugo’s legs trembled, and goose bumps rushed down his arms. He and Everand were too close to the wolves and too far from Captain Ryze and the other guards. If they ran, it would take nothing for the wolves to catch them before they could reach the guards. Yet, the guards could still use their magic to get King Victor to safety.