by Jeanne Hardt
With a firm nod, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. “He is not out of danger. If he is to reach the wall, I must be there. Our people will not be so easily convinced of his goodness.”
“You believe he is good?”
“As much as I hate to admit it, yes. He acted noble, even when I scorned him.” He took Olivia’s hand. “Livvy, I saw how he looked at you. I know that look. A man in love should not be denied a woman who loves him in return.” He released her and rubbed his temples. “How did those words leave my mouth?” Shaking his head, he sighed. “No matter. I said them. Livvy, I cherish you more than anyone. Your happiness is crucial, but this ordeal has me befuddled. Basilia, for God’s sake.”
Olivia wrapped her arms around his large frame and held him tight. “All will be well, Father.” Her tears dried, and every stressful thought melted away. She never imagined her father would be so willing to give Sebastian and her a chance to explore their feelings. She could return to Sebastian with good news, but had one more matter to address.
“Father?” She released him and stepped away. “I said all will be well, yet I admit, I have concern over Wittek. I know his loyalty remains with Donovan.”
Her father grunted. “I gave him an ultimatum. I told him he could serve me or join Donovan in the dungeon below. His allegiance to Donovan was treasonous in its own right.”
“But you did not send Donovan to the dungeon.”
“No. I showed mercy. And as you witnessed, Wittek chose to serve me. If he strays, he understands what will become of him.” He took her hand and patted it. “Trouble yourself no more over those men. You have another who requires your concern.”
* * *
Sebastian tired of pacing.
He had tried to sleep, but to no avail. How could he, with his situation so dire? He needed to find a way out of his locked quarters before Jonah feared the worst.
At least he had water, and fortunately, a chamber pot. And though he had eaten a handful of apples left in a bowl on the table, his stomach kept rumbling.
Heavy footsteps came from the hallway, so he rushed to the door and pressed his ear to it. The sound grew nearer.
A key jiggled in the lock.
Heart pounding, Sebastian gripped the hilt of his sword. Had the steps been lighter, he would have assumed them to be Olivia’s. Without a doubt, a man stood on the other side of his door. After hearing all the screams wanting his blood, Sebastian feared someone had come for it.
He nearly unsheathed his weapon, but stopped. It would be unwise to face whoever knocked with a drawn blade. They would see it as a challenge, and Sebastian wanted to keep peace.
He had expected the guards to relieve him of his sword last night. However, Alwin had told him the king insisted he keep it. An odd thing, considering the man deemed Sebastian to be an enemy. Olivia must have swayed him.
The door swung open, and Sebastian faced the king.
Taken a bit off guard, Sebastian tipped his head to one side, then remembered his manners and bowed low. “Your Majesty.”
“Prince Sebastian.” The king dipped his head. “Come with me to the great hall. I shall have our supper brought there. I am certain you would prefer not to dine alongside those who would rather have your head on a platter, than their evening meal.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Sebastian found the imagery highly disturbing, but it seemed the king’s temperament had taken a turn for the good. It gave him hope.
He peered over the king’s shoulder, pleased to see Olivia. Yet it appeared she had been crying. He cast a concerned glance, and she met it with a smile.
Good. He hoped the expression meant her tears had been brought about by joy.
The king shifted his eyes between the two of them. “Do you not wish to offer my daughter your arm?”
Had he heard correctly?
Perhaps he had fallen asleep and this was all part of a glorious dream.
The king cleared his throat and gestured to Olivia.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. You had me in a quandary.” Sebastian gladly extended his arm, and Olivia took it.
“A quandary,” the king mumbled, then chuckled and headed down the hallway.
Olivia’s smile broadened. “I convinced Father to give us the opportunity to become better acquainted.”
As she spoke, her warm breath dusted his skin. He shivered. Never had a woman affected him this way. Blood coursed through his body faster than a raging river. He felt more alive than the day he was born.
The king stopped walking and spun to face them. “Actually, I am giving all of us the opportunity to know one another.” He folded his arms over his chest. “Only because I love my daughter, and it appears she has grown fond of you.”
Sebastian met his gaze. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I assure you, I will never harm Olivia. More than anything, I want to show her the world. Bring her more joy than she could ever imagine.”
“We shall see.” The king turned on his heels. “Once we have full bellies, I shall decide a course of action.”
The king’s words made Sebastian uneasy. What father would not want his daughter to be happy? And in his mind, there was only one course of action possible. Rebuild the bridge and unite their kingdoms.
Sebastian decided to set worry aside. They would have plenty of time to talk things through over supper. And of course, he would let the king know how crucially he needed to communicate with Jonah before the sun set.
After they were seated comfortably in the great hall, the king and Olivia took turns recanting the events of the day. The trial had gone better than Sebastian had hoped, and he was relieved to know Olivia had been freed from her pledge to Donovan.
Sebastian remained quiet while they spoke, but on this matter, he had to voice his opinion. “Your Majesty, Donovan’s punishment should be more severe. After all, he wanted you dead. Olivia as well.”
The king sat tall. “I have known him since he was a boy. He talks large and acts small. I doubt he would have carried out his plan. Besides, his father will see to it Donovan harms no one.”
Sebastian nodded, but internally disagreed. Men like Donovan were devious and should never be trusted, no matter how small their actions.
“I believe the most difficult part of his punishment is being denied women,” Olivia solemnly said. “From all that was revealed at the trial, Donovan has never lacked female affection.”
Sebastian took hold of her hand. “He was a fool for straying from you.” The king had encouraged them to sit beside one another on the chaise in front of the fire. It seemed unusual for the man to be pushing them together, after being so hateful earlier in the day.
Olivia squeezed his hand. “I was the fool. I should have seen through his lies.”
The king clapped his hands, startling them both. “Enough of this!”
The loud sound not only ended the discussion of the trial and their holding of hands, it also brought in servants with trays of food. The king motioned to a small table in the corner of the room, and the servants placed them there.
Sebastian breathed in the enticing aroma of freshly-baked bread and roasted meat.
Olivia pointed at the bread. “How did the baker manage to work at all after his heart had been broken?”
“He knows his place,” the king said with a glimmer of spite.
Sebastian gave Olivia a questioning glance.
“I shall explain later,” she said. “Unless you object, Father.”
“Some things must be kept as family matters,” the king said. “If ever Sebastian becomes part of our family, then will be the time to tell.”
If?
Granted Sebastian had not yet set forth a proposal of marriage, so the king’s comment should not disturb him. But, something in the man’s demeanor continued to make Sebastian uncomfortable. All had not been said.
Conversation eased as they ate the delicious meal. Roasted chicken seasoned with parsley and garlic, boiled potatoes, green beans, and of course the bread
Olivia had spoken of, which made Sebastian wonder . . .
“Your Majesty?” Sebastian stared at his empty plate, angry at himself for being so careless. “Can tannin root be baked into bread?”
Olivia held a piece in midair, ready to take a bite, but stopped the moment he spoke.
The king waved a hand. “The baker has more sense than to poison his wares.”
Olivia lowered the bread to the table, then pushed it far from her plate.
Sebastian wiped the corner of his mouth with a cloth. “Perhaps not. However, if he is as distraught as you both claim, then he could possibly do something out of the ordinary. Have you considered having your food tasted before you consume it?”
The king folded his hands over his protruding belly. “I will not change my ways. I refuse to fear my supper.”
“Besides,” Olivia said, “the baker is a good man. Unlike his son.”
Sebastian smiled at her. “I am simply concerned for your well-being.” Her actions meant she, too, had doubts. Though she appeared at ease with her father and their situation, Sebastian sensed that was about to change.
The king arose from the table and bade them to join him again by the fire. He held a goblet of wine and had one of the servants fill it full. “If I am to die by poison, at least I shall die happy.” In a series of loud gulps, he downed the wine. “Ah . . . it tastes too delicious to be deadly.”
His mannerism was either careless or exceedingly trusting. Sebastian assumed the latter. After all, from what he understood of Padrida, the realm had never seen unrest. Why not be at ease?
Sebastian sat beside Olivia on the chaise. He admired the long braid cascading down her back, entwined with white silk ribbon. She wore the same gold leaf crown she had worn when her hair had been unbound. An air of sophistication surrounded her, unmatched by any woman he had previously encountered.
Feeling a bit anxious about the waning day, Sebastian had to speak. “Your Majesty, I truly must find a way to the wall. Jonah needs to see I am unharmed. Could you ask your sentries to accompany me, so I may shoot my arrow?”
The king stood with his back to the fire. His face lost all expression. “No.”
“No?” Olivia shot to her feet. “Father, you said—”
“Livvy.” The man motioned her down again. “I am well aware of what I said. Yet, before I allow any correspondence to go beyond my wall from a man I scarcely know, I must be told the contents of the letter.”
Sebastian nodded and gave Olivia an encouraging smile. “I see it as a reasonable request.” He looked directly at the king. “The letter asks that Jonah return to Basilia and seek out my father. I suggested he send a group of at least twenty men to rebuild your bridge. I explained the urgency of repairs. I may have crossed without complication, but the bridge is far from safe. If I am to return home, that condition must be rectified.”
Olivia’s hand slid into his. Her gentle gesture warmed him to the core. Even so, the ice in the king’s eyes instantly cooled it.
“Our bridge will not be rebuilt,” the king said. “As for your return home, you cannot.”
“Father?” Olivia stood and went to his side. “You surely jest. I thought you understood my feelings. More importantly, I believed you had changed your mind in regard to Sebastian.”
Sebastian’s stomach knotted, but he would keep his irritation hidden. He knew something was amiss the moment he had been allowed to leave his room. Upon his first meeting with the king, the man wanted nothing more than to send him back to Basilia as quickly as possible.
Sebastian sat perfectly still and waited for the king’s reply, hoping Olivia could influence him.
“I understand your feelings,” the king said stone-faced. “And I trust your prince to be an honorable man. However, you know the law better than most. No one is allowed to leave Padrida, and no one shall.” He pointed at Sebastian. “You chose to enter our realm. In doing so, you will abide by our laws. If you wish to wed my daughter, I shall allow it, only because she cares for you. One day, she will rule Padrida, and you may sit at her side as prince.”
Sebastian took a slow, deep breath. He stood tall and approached the king, holding back his anger. “I am the only son of my father, destined one day to be king of Basilia. High king over all the realms. I must return to my homeland and wish to take your daughter with me. She will sit by my side as queen of Basilia. If she will have me.” He looked at her, and what he feared more than anything came into being; tears of despair. Hopelessness rested in her dark brown eyes.
“No!” The king pounded his fist on the mantel. “Neither of you shall leave Padrida! Ever!” He yanked his cloak around his shoulders and strode from the room.
“Father!” Olivia followed him, and Sebastian stayed right behind her. “You do not understand . . .” Her tears flowed freely. “If the letter is not sent, they will bring an army. Please see reason!” She grabbed his arm and forced him to face her. “I want to go with him to experience all the world has to offer. Do not keep me from attaining my dreams.”
“Dreams do not protect you. Our laws do. They were decreed to be kept. I will not have my daughter breaking the most crucial commandment in the kingdom.” He scowled at Sebastian. “You said you would never hurt her. Do you see her tears?” He huffed heavy breaths. “You have wounded her already.” His fists tightened. “Guards!”
“Father!” Olivia fell to her knees. “I beg you . . . allow him to send the letter.”
Sebastian held his tongue, waiting for the king’s reply.
The man eyed him up and down. “I shall only allow it if it is rewritten. He must tell his father he intends to stay here. In addition, he must insist no one come after him. We want no further disruptions from the outside world. Padrida is to be left alone.”
Olivia covered her face and sobbed.
Her pain intensified Sebastian’s anger. “I cannot do that, Your Majesty. I have obligations to my people. If I return not, when my father dies, my cousin, Frederick, will be crowned king. I shan’t allow it to happen. He is a wretched man.”
The king remained expressionless. “Have you no sisters?”
“Yes. Five. However, our law requires a male heir. There are no exceptions.”
“Just as there are no exceptions to our law.” The king raised his chin high in the air. “It appears we have a genuine quandary. Yet, since you are here, you will obey our laws.” He shifted his eyes to Olivia. “To appease you, I will not have him locked in his room, nor do I find it necessary to keep my sentries posted at his door. Within our walls, your prince is safe, and I shall instruct my guards to keep him inside the castle, with no exception.”
He strode off toward the approaching sentries, then jerked his head, instructing them to follow. They went away in the other direction, and the king’s voice could be heard from some distance down the hallway, although Sebastian could not make out his words.
He stood frozen to the floor, with Olivia sobbing at his feet.
Chapter 22
The cold stone floor made her even more miserable, but Olivia could not force herself to stand. Her father had never been so unfeeling.
From the moment she had seen Sebastian on the far side of the gorge, hope had filled her heart. Her father had crushed it. She would remain captive, never to see the ocean or anything except the walls of Padrida.
“Olivia.” Sebastian laid a hand on her shoulder. “Let me help you.” The tenderness in his voice lifted her head, and he extended his hand.
She gladly took it. Once on her feet, she clung to him and let her tears fall. “How can he keep us here? All my life I have longed to be free, but now . . .”
“Shh . . .” He stroked her back in a comforting caress. “We shall find a way. So much has transpired, I feel he is not thinking clearly.” He tucked his fingers under her chin and lifted, then gazed into her eyes. “At least we can be pleased he gave us permission to wed.” He smiled warmly, but it did no good. Nothing could diminish her pain.
&nbs
p; She sucked in staggered breaths. “It matters not. If I cannot leave here . . . I do not care about anything!”
His smile vanished. He released her and stepped back. “You do not care? Are your feelings for me so fleeting?”
She had hurt him, but she could not bring herself to offer him comfort. “Do you not understand? I must leave here.”
“Was I merely your means to escape?” His face lost all expression. “Had it been Jonah who crossed the bridge and promised your freedom, would you have given him your heart?”
She stared at the stranger facing her. Could she have misinterpreted her feelings as she had with Donovan? Perhaps she hadn’t felt love, but rather devotion to someone who promised rescue.
She swallowed hard. “I—I do not know.” Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she had no strength to wipe them away. Everything ached. She wanted nothing more than to run, yet she had nowhere to go.
Sebastian’s body folded into itself, and the sparkle faded from his eyes. “I thought you were different from the others, and I fell in love with you.” He breathed heavily. “I was horribly misled. You shall not see me again.”
His head hung low, and he walked away.
Her eyes followed him, but her feet stayed firm. A dull ache tugged at her heart. Even so, she made no attempt to stop him. She would not allow herself to make another wrong choice.
Her life had become utterly hopeless.
Strangely enough, all she wanted was to go to her mother.
* * *
Sebastian focused his eyes on the floor and kept putting one foot in front of the other until he reached his bedchamber.
He closed the door, then pressed his head against the wood.
The unbearable ache in his heart slowly returned to anger. How could he stay captive in a place where he would have to see Olivia every day? It would be nearly impossible to avoid her.
He should have seen through her. If he had not thought so much of himself and believed no woman could resist him, he might have spared himself from being made a fool.
How could her father even entertain the idea Sebastian would give up his throne? Yes, Olivia would be a capable queen one day, but he had been brought up to rule, not sit by and watch someone else make decisions. Unless . . .