The pastry had gone cold in her hand, and the sight of it was enough to set the acid roiling in her stomach. She handed it to him.
"The released prisoner," she began, but before she could say more, a shout followed by a cacophony of screams, cheers, and laughter filled the area.
The crowd parted, and a wagon entered the square. People jumped on it or ran beside, holding on to the sideboards.
"This must be him." Traren's voice was barely audible above the din, even though he spoke close to her ear.
The wagon stopped near where the food tables were arranged. Caroline was there with her children. Another woman was there, and Caroline held her hand.
The prisoner, Felix, stumbled as he climbed out of the wagon and fell into the other woman's arms. His arms and legs were like sticks as he embraced her. Caroline watched, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"That woman must be his wife."
Prince Gideon stood next to Ursula. She didn't know when he got there, but she glanced at him and saw he was smiling.
"I assume so." She swallowed and watched Caroline. If Felix was James' uncle, how was he related to her?
"This should make Queen Mariana more amenable to King Killian's proposal." Gideon's voice was muffled to Ursula's ears as she watched Caroline hug Felix.
With a slight effort of her Air Sensitivity, the Princess was able to hear them through the continuous cheering and applause of the crowd.
"You look good, little sister," Felix said. His voice was hoarse, as though he hadn't used it in months, maybe years.
"Tobias?" Caroline asked. "Is he...?"
Felix pulled back from her and met her eyes. "He was...alive when I left." He cleared his throat. "He is alive."
"Thank the Elements." Caroline collapsed in her brother's arms, then gathered her children to her.
Ursula pulled her magic back, tears welling up in her eyes. "I need to go home." She hurried to the waiting carriage.
Traren ran after her and grabbed her arm. "Ursula, what happened?"
She sniffled and spun to face him. "That was Caroline's brother."
"All right. Isn't that a good thing?"
"It is. For his wife and children, but what about the rest of them?" She waved her arm to encompass the whole town. "They're going to start hoping their husbands and fathers are next. Soon word will get out, if it hasn't already, and hundreds of families all over Valborough are going to hope. And it will be all for nothing."
Gideon caught up with them, and she glared at him.
"That's right, isn't it?"
"What?" He shook his head and raised one hand as if in surrender.
"How many men is your uncle going to release?" She waited to see if he would insist this was some grand gesture on Heyton's part.
"How many?" Prince Gideon look at her calmly, and she wanted to slap him. "I suppose that depends on you, doesn't it? This man was released because the King knew how important the prisoners are to you. He wanted you to see he can be generous."
"This is generous?" Ursula was astonished. He seemed to believe what he said. "It's cruel. Why release one man? Why not all the men from one village or why not all of them if he's so generous?"
"The King did this for you," Gideon said. "He released a man from the village near the palace so you could see it for yourself."
"The man he released has no children," Ursula said. "If the King wanted to be so generous, perhaps he could have released Caroline's husband, the father of three."
Gideon's calm expression faltered a bit. "This man asked for his brother-in-law to be released in his place but...it wasn't...possible."
"What do you mean, it wasn't possible?" Ursula asked. "I heard Felix say Tobias was alive."
"Alive, yes, but..." The Prince's voice trailed off.
Ursula frowned, confused, but Traren spoke in a hard whisper.
"He's ill, possibly dying. That's what the Prince means. That or he's been injured, probably beaten, and recently, unless I miss my guess." Traren took a deep breath, and his fingers curled into fists. "The good King of Heyton couldn't afford to send a man in such a state back and give the Chaos Sensitive Queen a reason to break off talks."
Ursula's stomach clenched, threatening to disgorge what little she'd eaten that day. "No. That can't be right. Surely, the prisoners are not being mistreated." She took Prince Gideon's hand. "Tell Traren he's wrong."
The Prince swallowed and didn't meet her eyes. "The man, Tobias, is not dying, but I'm told sometimes the soldiers who guard the prisoners act without authority and things happen. They are prisoners from the losing side of a war, after all. If their own country has forgotten about them, perhaps they deserve no better."
A fire burned through Ursula's blood at this. The world shrank until all she could see, through a haze of red, was Gideon's face. How could he speak of men being beaten and suggest they deserve it?
She raised her hand, taking off her glove, and slapped him, feeling a satisfying sting in her skin as it connected to his.
"Never speak to me again as though we are, in any way, equals." She strode to the carriage, Traren hard on her heels.
When Ursula got back to the palace, she asked Merec where to find the Queen, then hurried to Mariana's private quarters.
The Queen and Grand Prince were in the sitting room, with Mariana reclining on a sofa.
"How are you feeling?" Ursula hurried to her sister's side.
"I'm fine, but these babies refuse to rest. I think they are ready to be born."
"I'm certainly ready for them to arrive," Orlando said. "How was the festival?"
Ursula took a deep breath and sat next to her sister. "The village is happy Felix has come home, but I'm concerned this will just get the people's hopes up."
"Hope is not a bad thing," Mariana said, but her face was serious.
"If there was a real chance the others will be coming home too, yes, but we know King Killian is not about to release them."
Orlando and Mariana exchanged glances.
"We don't know that," Mariana said after a moment. "The negotiations are still in progress."
Ursula stood and walked to the table which held a pile of baby gifts. She picked up a tiny, smocked shirt with small flowers embroidered on it. "Prince Gideon told me some of the prisoners have been mistreated."
"What?" Orlando stood. Ursula carefully put the garment back on the table.
"They're prisoners. This can't be much of a surprise." She said the words, but inside her stomach was still in the same knots that had started in town. Orlando had been a soldier. Surely, he would tell her this was part of war and the men knew what they could expect. Something that would make all the pain go away.
"I never imagined our prisoners were being mistreated," he said. This was not what Ursula needed to hear, and she sat before her sister could see her trembling.
"Gideon said it's not done with royal permission. Sometimes guards act on their own."
"Killian is King," Mariana said. "Ultimately, the responsibility lies with him. If the guards are beating the men, he has to stop it."
"It's fine for us to say that, but we can't force the King to do anything." Ursula met her sister's eyes. "The only way to stop the abuse is to bring the men home."
"We're working on it," Orlando said, putting his hand on her shoulder.
"But what if your efforts are not enough?"
Chapter 13
"She slapped me." Gideon stared at the fireplace. "Can you believe it? These negotiations are taking too long. I should have been back home before now."
"I don't think Queen Mariana is going to force her sister to marry the King because you want to get home." Dash studied the platters of roasted meat, tangy cheese, and bread the kitchens had sent up to their quarters. "Especially after what you said happened in town, the Princess is probably less inclined to join the family now than before."
"I suppose I was out of line." Gideon returned to the sofa, sat, and propped his leg up. It had been throbbing since he'
d come back from the village. Most likely, his annoyance with himself was more of the cause than actual strain. "I was angry at Uncle Killian for not anticipating how important the prisoners and their welfare are to the Queen and the Princess."
"He was focused on finding a bride, although why he would want one from here when there are any number of eligible young ladies in the Sapphire Palace who would be happy to warm his bed. The lovely Princess Yamina, for example." Dash sighed.
In spite of everything that had happened in the village, the red splotch on his cheek included, he had to chuckle. "Princess Yamina of Ibiran practically thinks she's Queen already, if Aunt Veronica would only get out of the way."
"Like that would happen." Dashiell popped a piece of cheese in his mouth. "Your aunt wants the crown for herself."
Gideon sobered. "You couldn't say that in the palace back home because no one would think it was a joke."
"I don't know that I was kidding. If it wasn't disgusting, she might get rid of her husband and marry the King herself."
"Words like that could have you visiting the gallows if the wrong people heard," Gideon muttered.
He took a bite of the food. "It doesn't matter how pretty Yasmin is, or how much Veronica wants power. A Chaos Sensitive is dangerous. Uncle Killian can't afford another war with Valborough. He's acting tough with his constant reminders we beat them in the war, but he's not stupid. Queen Mariana could destroy Heyton, if she wanted to."
Dashiell swallowed some of his ale, then shook his head. "Do you believe she's that powerful?"
Life would be much easier if Dash had agreed to attend classes with him.
Gideon sighed and said, "The last time a Chaos Sensitive decided to exercise his full power was one hundred and seventeen years ago when Reginald the Chaotic used his power against the Zurenth Empire. The Desert of Grinada is the result.”
Dash sobered. "Queen Mariana has no reason to do something like that."
"You mean, she doesn't if Uncle Killian doesn't get too hard-headed about these negotiations. Any moment, she could decide she's had enough and call it off."
"So, you think he should release the prisoners. That is what Queen Mariana wants."
Gideon ran his hands through his hair. "If he releases them now, she'll have the upper hand. Uncle Killian won't like it, but if things stay the way they are, we might as well settle down and buy land here. These negotiations will go nowhere if something doesn't change."
Just then, a knock sounded on the suite door.
When Dash answered it, one of the royal footmen stepped into the room. "Her Majesty would like to see you in the conference room in half an hour."
"Could be something's about to change," Dash said.
When Gideon entered the conference room, he was surprised to see only the Queen, the Grand Prince, and Princess Ursula.
"We wanted to talk to you privately," Queen Mariana said. "Please take a seat."
Gideon did so, and she continued, "Princess Ursula says you told her that sometimes prisoners are mistreated by the guards."
"Unfortunately, Your Majesty, this is true." He looked at the three other people in the room. Why were they discussing this? "Surely, even Your Majesty doesn't have control over every prison guard or military man under your authority."
"If you're saying King Killian wasn't aware of the treatment our people have received at the hands of his men, we find it curious you know it," Queen Mariana said. "How is that possible? Didn't you tell us you started attending university about the time the war ended?"
All eyes were watching him, and Gideon had to force himself not to fidget. Queen Mariana was clever, more so than Uncle Killian had given her credit for. Of course, she was a Chaos Sensitive, so they should have expected her to be hard to trick.
After a moment, he said, "Forgive me, I didn't know about the prisoners myself until recently. Uncle Killian has only been King for a few months, and he hasn't been able to deal with all the issues that demand his attention."
"So, he hasn't gotten to the prisoner issue yet?" Ursula exclaimed. "When do you think he will get to it?"
"We understand you would like to wrap this situation up and get home as soon as possible," the Queen added.
Why couldn't Josiah or Damien be here instead of him? They, surely, would have been able to come up with some diplomatic answer that would make everyone happy. He didn't have that ability, so he shook his head.
"Your Majesty, in all honesty, I think the issue of the war prisoners is low on my uncle's list of things to handle. Heyton has many internal problems as well as threats from factions within the populous and rebels who are trying to break free from the rule of the monarchy."
"So it could be years," Ursula said. It wasn't a question, and she met his eyes directly.
He nodded. "I'm afraid it could be."
The Princess turned to her sister. "I saw what Felix looked like when he came home. Now, I didn't know him, of course, before the war, but I can't imagine he was thin and pale, given he farmed beans and raised chickens." She leaned toward the Queen. "Mari, I could see all the bones in his arms and his cheeks were sunken like his face was just a skull."
Queen Mariana lifted one hand in a gesture of surrender to her sister. "We understand what you're saying, Princess Ursula, but what can we do? This issue seems to be in King Killian's hands, and Prince Gideon believes it could be years before the rest of the men are released." The monarch raised her eyebrows.
"I am sorry, Your Majesty, but as you see, I am here, and my uncle is there. I can convey your concerns, but..." He let his voice trail off.
"But there's nothing more you can do." Ursula glared at him then curtsied to her sister. "I can't stay here, Mari. I have a lot to think about." She turned to leave.
"Wait, Ursula." The Queen stood and the Princess stopped, turning to face her sister.
"What is it?"
"Don't do anything you're going to regret someday," the Queen said. "This isn't the only way."
"It is the only way, and I already regret it." Without another word, Ursula left the conference room.
Gideon watched her leave, then saw the Grand Prince reach for the Queen's hand.
"It might be for the best," he said. "In any case, it's not our decision anymore."
Sensing he was not needed, Gideon stood. "I will be in my quarters, Your Majesty."
Both the Queen and Grand Prince regarded him as though they'd forgotten he was even in the room.
"Of course," Queen Mariana said. "Thank you for your assistance. I'm sure your uncle will be happy with your work here."
Walking to the carriage house, where George Evan was waiting for her, was the hardest thing Ursula had ever done, including sitting alone in that magical prison Kylan had made for her a year before.
After she'd left Mariana and Orlando, she'd gone to her room and changed into the loveliest gown she owned. The peach colored satin gown had a full skirt and was trimmed with lace dyed slightly darker. A white sash encircled her waist with a lush bow and tails that reached almost to the ground.
Rebecca had pinned her hair on top of her head and a simple tiara held it all in place. Ursula looked as much like a fairy tale Princess as she ever had in her life. This was how she wanted him to remember her.
Before she even got to the waiting carriage, George Evan saw her and ran to her, sweeping her up in his arms.
"You look so beautiful," he said, and it was possibly the most effusive he'd ever been with her in public. He kissed her cheek. "What a wonderful memory for me to take with me."
When he released her, Ursula smiled as brightly as she could, but she couldn't maintain it. Her stomach was flipping over and over in her gut, and all she wanted to do was to break down and cry.
But she owed him more than that.
She took a small step back from him so she could look at his face. "George Evan, you are the kindest, most generous man any woman could want in her life. I want you to have all the happiness the Elements can of
fer you."
His joyful expression faltered for only an instant. "I have all the happiness I could ask for. I have you."
Ursula swallowed back the lump of tears that formed in her throat. She wouldn't let herself pull her eyes away from his. "This is the hardest thing I've ever done," she said. "I do think I love you."
"What is it, Ursula? Whatever it is, we can get through it together. Just tell me."
The driver of the carriage called out that they were to leaving in a short time and passengers should be on board.
"You need to go," Ursula said, knowing it was the wrong thing to say right now. "I..."
"What?" He caressed her shoulders. "I can't leave you like this. What happened?"
The tears flowed freely now and she did nothing to stop them. If they could drown her, she'd give herself over to it gladly.
"I can't marry you." The words came out like knife blades through her throat.
Forcing the engagement ring into his hand, she whispered, "Be happy in Gredia. Find someone who will love you like you deserve."
"Why are you doing this? I thought it was settled. I know two years is a long time, but I love you. We can do this."
She shook her head. "It's not the wait. It's me. I'm a Princess of Valborough. My duty is to the kingdom and her people. My...heart is not my own."
George Evan trembled, and to her eyes, it was as though he’d shrunken in on himself. She'd torn his heart out and diminished him.
"It's the prisoners." He spoke in a softer, more loving tone than she deserved. "You're going to marry King Killian to bring those men home."
She wanted him to rant at her, tell her she was a false, dishonest woman. That was what she should hear.
Instead, he gave her a smile that tried bravely to hide pain from the light of the sun.
"You care for others more than for yourself. Don't you know you deserve happiness, too, my Princess? You don't have to save everyone alone. Let the Queen figure it out."
She shook her head. "I can't. It could take years and those men and their families have suffered long enough. They need this to end."
"And so you'll suffer for them?"
Questionable Queen Page 12