The Kingdom Chronicles Box Set 1

by Camille Peters

  I took a wavering breath as I took his hands. Without the ring, I could now finally speak freely and tell him the truth he deserved to hear. “I’m so sorry, Liam, but it’s true. It’s as Her Highness said: I’m Anwen, former goose girl and the princess’s handmaiden.”

  He shook his head, as if he couldn’t make himself believe it, even after my confession. “No, you’re not, you can’t be.” He pressed my hands to his chest. “Please.”

  “I’m so sorry, Liam.” How I hated the truth. The torment filling his eyes squeezed my heart, his anguish my own. “Please believe me: I never wanted to hurt you, but I was trapped. The princess’s enchanted ring bound me by a contract that forced me to pretend to be her. I had no choice.”

  “So it was all a lie?” His expression twisted in pain and my heart wrenched further. Liam glanced towards the real Princess Lavena. “Since when?”

  “Since the wedding,” she said. “This little pretender had her brother Archer kidnap me so she could take my place and marry you in order to become queen.”

  “That’s not true,” I said. “Archer had nothing to do with it. I only took your place because you forced me to so you could elope with your minstrel.”

  She laughed coldly. “Your story is ridiculous. Why would I throw away my birthright for a peasant? I had nothing to gain from our switch, whereas you had everything. You wanted to entrap the prince in order to get the throne.”

  At her words, Liam dropped my hands. “Is that true?” he demanded. “You took her place because you only wanted what I could offer you?”

  “No!” My heart twisted. After all we’d been through, how could he think that? I rapidly shook my head as fresh tears escaped. “I’d never do that to you, Liam.”

  He bit his lip, doubt in his eyes. “You did lie when she first accused you of being an imposter. Why would you do that if you were innocent?”

  “I didn’t want to lose you,” I said.

  He was silent for a moment. “Me or my crown?”

  “Of course you, Liam, please believe me.” I ached to say it was because I loved him, but I was a common girl again, meaning my feelings towards him were ones my lower station forbade me to express.

  He searched my face earnestly, as if desperate to find something precious to him, looking so confused and hopelessly lost. “Why would you lose me?”

  “Because I was afraid you wouldn’t want me if you knew I wasn’t a princess.”

  His expression softened, causing my heart to lift in hope. If he didn’t hate me for my horrible deceit, I could face whatever consequences came.

  “You’ve heard the handmaiden’s confession,” Princess Lavena said. “Now the usurper deserves to be punished. It’s against the law for a commoner to pose as a royal. Now that you realize Anwen is an imposter, she must face the consequences—imprisonment or even death.”

  Cold fear squeezed my heart. I whimpered and buried my face in my hands. Liam’s breath hooked and he embraced me, his arms tight, his desperation to protect me.

  “She won’t be punished for a plot of your making. I know my wife. She would never stoop to anything so deceitful of her own volition.” He cradled my hands and gazed into my eyes. “Nothing has changed, Anwen.” He said my name hesitantly, but oh how I loved hearing him say it. “You’re still my wife; the real Lavena isn’t the one I married, you are. It doesn’t matter that you’re not a princess. I still want you.”

  “I’m afraid it does matter, Son,” the king said gravely. “If she was not the real Lavena at the time of the wedding, then the marriage is void. And the initial contract still stands—you are bound to marry Princess Lavena, the real one.”

  “No!” Raw panic filled Liam’s face. He pulled me close, holding me in a suffocating embrace. I burrowed against his chest, savoring the feeling of what would likely be the last time I felt his arms around me. “You can’t do this to me. I don’t want to marry Lavena.” He glared at her with pure hatred.

  The princess smirked in triumph, her previous disdain for the match seemingly forgotten. “You have no choice,” she said. “Our two kingdoms have a contract. I will be Queen of Draceria.”

  “I refuse to marry you. Anwen is the only one for me.” Liam turned a desperate, pleading look to his parents. “It’s void now, isn’t it? Surely the contract was broken when she forced Anwen to take her place.”

  The king, looking regretful, shook his head. “I’m afraid not, son, not when she’s now returned to fulfill it.”

  Liam gaped at him in horror. “No! I won’t go along with this.” He turned his despairing look to his mother, whose face was streaked with tears.

  She frowned at her husband. “After Lavena’s horrible actions…surely we don’t have to honor it, dear.”

  “I’m afraid we have no choice.” The king gave Princess Lavena a sharp look. “But until it’s fulfilled, I will fight to find a way to void it. She doesn’t deserve to be queen.”

  “You have to find a way,” Liam said, voice desperate. “Because I won’t marry her. I can’t.” He stared down at me pleadingly. “Why did you have to be the fake Lavena?”

  “I’m so sorry,” I said. “I never meant to hurt you.”

  Liam searched my eyes. “Please tell me it was real.”

  I cradled his face. “It was all real, Liam.”

  He pressed my hand against his cheek. “I know it was. And now everything we’ve built together is being destroyed, and you’re being stolen from me.” He let me go and slowly pulled away, looking on the brink of crumbling in defeat. “This is too much. I—I need a moment alone.”

  And without another word, he slumped from the room, taking the pieces of my broken heart with him, for I knew I wouldn’t see him again. I’d lost him, for he wasn’t mine. He never had been.

  I glanced at Liam’s family. The queen and his sisters were in tears, while the king looked heartbroken on his son’s behalf. I turned and glared at Princess Lavena, smirking wickedly in triumph. Hate burned through my veins, both for the pain she’d caused Liam and for her stealing him from me, the man I couldn’t have.

  “I suggest you leave, Anwen,” Princess Lavena said. “There’s nothing for you here.”

  “Unfortunately, she’s right,” the queen said. “It’d be wise to leave for poor Liam’s sake.” She frowned at the closed door where he’d departed. “I don’t know how he’ll ever recover from this.”

  The king rested a hand on her shoulder. “I agree, Anwen. While you certainly won’t be punished, your remaining here will make everything more difficult.” He turned to an attending footman. “I’ll prepare a missive, which you’ll immediately arrange to be delivered to the King and Queen of Lyceria. We need to inform them of what’s happened.” He turned his cold gaze onto Princess Lavena. “What you’ve done is a complete disgrace. I will speak with your father and do everything in my power to see that the contract is broken. You will not be Queen of Draceria if I can help it, not after you’ve proven yourself unworthy of the title.”

  “They won’t break the contract,” Princess Lavena said smugly.

  The king gave her a piercing look. “That matter will be between us.” But by the defeated look on his face, I could tell that he knew the King of Lyceria would never agree to it, not when Princess Lavena’s union with Liam would be too great a benefit for Lyceria. Which meant I’d really lost Liam after all.

  And suddenly I needed to be as far away as possible. I couldn’t stay and endure watching Liam forced into an unwanted and miserable marriage with such a horrible woman. Being sent away would actually be a mercy. Yet the thought of being so far from the man I loved shattered the last piece of my heart, a heart that after today I doubted would ever fully heal.

  Chapter 23

  “Are you sure you’re alright, Anwen? I can’t believe everything you’ve been forced to endure these last two months.” Archer’s fists clenched at the thought.

  He hadn’t left my side since leaving the parlor where the charade had finally ended a
nd I’d said a tearful goodbye to the king, queen, and Liam’s sisters, who’d become my family. I yearned to say goodbye to Liam, but he hadn’t returned after seeking a moment alone.

  As much as I yearned to see him, perhaps it was for the best. Saying goodbye to him would make our separation feel all the more final, and leaving was unbearable enough as it was.

  I resisted each step towards the palace gates, for once I walked through them, I’d leave behind the life I’d come to love. In Lyceria, I’d try—and likely fail—to forget everything that had happened. I paused and looked back at the palace one final time. It was lit with the golden light of the setting sun, a sunset that represented an ending I’d hoped would never come.

  “Anwen?”

  Archer’s voice was taut with worry. He gently brushed my arm, beckoning me to turn to him and ease his concerns. But what could I possibly tell him? I wasn’t alright. I doubted I ever would be again. My heart tightened as it desperately tried to keep all its broken pieces together. I hoped that the pain would lessen with time, that the memory of the hurt and betrayal filling Liam’s eyes would stop haunting me, although I knew it would be impossible to ever forget him completely.

  “Anwen?” Archer’s voice wrenched me from my thoughts and I finally turned to his worry-marred expression and forced a smile I didn’t at all feel.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  The look Archer gave me showed he wasn’t fooled by my lie. My lip trembled and all my foolish attempts to be brave faltered, causing the tears I’d fought to keep back to escape.

  Archer pulled me into a hug, his firm, brotherly arms protective. I buried myself against his chest and cried. He stroked my hair.

  “You’re clearly not fine, Pillbug. Won’t you tell me everything that’s happened? I can’t even convey how worried sick I’ve been.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, even though an apology was inadequate for the torment I’d put him through these past two months.

  He released a shuddering breath. “I thought you’d died.”

  “In a sense I had, for I had to lock myself away.” But as I considered, I realized that wasn’t entirely true. I’d tried to bury Anwen, but despite my efforts she’d still survived and occasionally emerged. What a beautiful thought that one couldn’t lose themselves completely, no matter the circumstances.

  Archer pulled back to once more scan my body in order to more accurately assess my well being. “But are you alright? Did that prince hurt you?” His question came out as a fierce, protective growl.

  I shook my head rapidly. “Oh no,” I said. “He’d never hurt me.”

  Archer’s jaw tightened, clearly not believing me. I ached for him to understand.

  “He was so respectful, so kind, so…” Wonderful. Thinking of Liam wrenched my heart and caused more tears to escape. I buried myself back against Archer. “I love him.” If only I didn’t. It’d make everything so much easier.

  He sighed. “This is quite the mess.”

  It was, but as much as I’d initially longed to escape it, now I’d give anything to return.

  Liam…

  An ache clenched my heart and my sadness threatened to engulf me, for I’d lost what had been the most precious part of my life. I needed to let him go, for I was Anwen again, and she wasn’t meant to be with Prince Liam, no matter how much she yearned to be.

  Archer seemed to sense the direction of my thoughts and managed a tight smile. “It’ll be alright, Pillbug. It may take time, but you’ve always been resilient and optimistic. You’ll feel better after we return home. I’ve been back to check on your geese, and although they’ve been well cared for these past several years, they obviously miss you. Not to mention the insects have remained undisturbed for far too long and are in need of serious studying.”

  He cupped my chin with a look like he wanted me to smile. But I couldn’t. As much as I’d missed my home and had thought of it often while surrounded by the elegant and opulent scenery of my charade, I wasn’t sure whether it’d feel like home any longer, considering the man who’d brought me the greatest joy would be missing from it.

  Not to mention, I myself had changed. I could no longer return to the Anwen I’d once been. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to. I liked the woman Liam had made me. I allowed his face to fill my mind, despite the heartache remembering him brought me. If only I’d had a chance to fully apologize, to say goodbye, to confess that while I’d pretended many things, my feelings for him had been real.

  I loved him.

  “Anwen?” Archer’s concerned tone once more tugged me from my melancholy. I took a wavering breath. Even if home didn’t feel like home any longer, I wouldn’t rest until I made it so. Despite my heartache, I needed to move forward as best I could.

  It would undoubtedly be difficult, for I’d see Liam everywhere, even in a place he’d never been. He’d be in the warmth of sunshine, the free spirit of the butterflies, the playfulness of the geese…and especially in my heart. Home wouldn’t be a haven any longer, yet I still wanted to return there and do my best to make it so once more.

  “Let’s go home,” I said.

  I’d no sooner taken a fortifying breath and braced myself to walk through the palace gates and away from Liam forever than from behind me—

  “Anwen!”

  My heart flared to life. That voice…. I spun around to see Liam sprinting across the lawn towards me, expression frantic. I stared. It couldn’t be Liam. Last I’d seen him, he’d left me after I’d hurt him, as if he couldn’t bear to see me anymore. How could he be here now? Would I be forced to say goodbye to him after all?

  He slowed when he neared me, eyes shy. “Anwen?”

  He said my name like a question, as if testing it out on his tongue. My heart warmed to hear my name spoken in his sweet voice.

  “Can you say it again?”

  His brow furrowed before he managed a tender smile. “Anwen.”

  I closed my eyes, basking in the sound of my name spoken by him, before my smile melted away. I was Anwen again, a common girl standing in the presence of royalty. I swept into a curtsy. “Your Highness.”

  Liam’s expression twisted with sadness. “Please don’t do that, Anwen.” He took another step closer. “It’s Liam.”

  “Forgive me, Your Highness, but I’m a peasant and you’re a prince. I can’t address you so informally.”

  I knew Liam wouldn’t care, but I needed to do it in order to remind myself of my place in the world and in Liam’s life. It’d make it easier to let him go…even though doing so felt utterly impossible.

  He gaped at me, eyes wide and wounded, seeming at a loss for what to say. I rose from my curtsy and waited for him to speak. He didn’t. The silence filling the space between us was unbearable.

  He stirred first, glancing towards Archer, who watched our reunion with a protective stance. “This is Archer?” Liam asked.

  “Yes, my brother.” It was wonderful to finally explain the true nature of our relationship.

  He nodded, looking relieved to finally understand. “May I speak with Anwen alone?”

  Archer’s jaw tightened and he looked for a moment like he would refuse Liam’s request. “Please, Archer?” I asked. His gaze flickered towards me and immediately softened.

  “If you wish it, Pillbug.” He glared at Liam. “But I’ll remain close, watching you very carefully.”

  He sauntered several yards away, giving us only a small bit of privacy, but it was enough. For a moment we both just stood in silence, staring at one another. I couldn’t speak, even though I was desperate to. If this was to be our goodbye, there were a multitude of feelings I needed to share, but even without the contract ring, the words still wouldn’t come.

  He found his voice first. “I only left you for a moment. I needed to consider all that had happened and the situation I’m facing now, but when I returned you were gone, without even saying goodbye.” Emotion swirled in his eyes. “Are you really leaving?”

  I hesitated. �
��Yes. I don’t belong here.”

  “You do.” He took another step forward, slowly bridging the distance I ached to cross. “You belong with me.”

  His words both lifted my heart and crushed it. He shouldn’t be saying them, for his sweet endearments would change nothing about our impossible circumstances. I squeezed my eyes shut; it hurt to even look at him.

  “You can’t say that,” I said. “Not when you know it’s not true.”

  I sensed him close the remaining space between us and I was awash in his cinnamon scent. My breath caught and my eyes fluttered open to meet his, seeping into mine with a look I’d come to know well—adoration.

  “It is true, Anwen. You know it is. You told me it was all real.” He caressed my cheek and I leaned against his soft touch, allowing myself one last taste of what I knew I couldn’t have.

  But I wanted it, and in my weakness I couldn’t resist. “Oh, Liam.”

  I’d no sooner whimpered his name than I was in his arms. He pulled me possessively close. I nestled into his embrace, savoring the way he clung to me. I held him tightly in return, nestling myself against his warmth, his sweetness, all for the last time.

  “Liam.” I rested my head against his heartbeat, loving the feel of it on my cheek, even as I hated myself for allowing myself to bask in Liam once more.

  He cradled my face, his blue gaze seeping into mine. “Anwen.”

  The way he said my name—like a caress—caused my heart to swell. I closed my eyes and allowed my own name to wash over me. “I love hearing you say my name.”

  “I love saying it,” he said. “I’ll never call you another name ever again. Anwen, Anwen, Anwen…”

  I smiled and nestled myself back against his chest. “Why are you here?” My voice cracked, betraying the emotion I desperately tried to hide.

  “For you.” He pressed his lips against my hair. “Can I be here for any other reason?”

  “But the façade has shattered,” I said. “You know who I truly am now—nothing more than a common goose girl and a handmaiden, an imposter who deceived you.” The memory of the raw pain filling his eyes returned to haunt me. How could he be holding me now after all the hurt I’d caused him?