Loving War : The Eighth Son, page 5
“I did bring you here to help me, but politically,” he said, his voice strained as he tried to fight against the way she was arousing him.
“Is this not political?” she whispered against his lips.
She kissed him quickly and moved her mouth down his neck, making a hot trail down his chest and waist until she was on her knees.
Tavian looked down at her as she set him free, her mouth descending on him. He closed his eyes as his blood raced through his veins. Her mouth moved on him with a constant force with one goal. Tavian closed his eyes and gave in to the welcome feeling she created through his body. He looked down as he lowered his hands, clutching her head, his fingers in her hair. He shuddered and cried out softly as she completed her task, and he spilled into her mouth.
Ursula rose to her feet, wiping her mouth, and she smiled at him. “There. Now you should sleep much better, which will help you make important decisions.”
He looked at her.
“See,” she said, beaming over her triumph at winning him over. “Political,” she shrugged, still smiling.
He shook his head. “You caught me at a fragile time.”
He lied to her. He hated how his body gave into her when his heart belonged to only one person.
“We shall see,” she said, laughing as she turned and walked to the door. She stopped and looked over her shoulder, “Good night, Your Grace.”
You Did This
Tavian woke early; though he did sleep well, he was burdened with some harsh realities as soon as he woke. The day again lacked sun, and the air was moist with the threat of rain.
He sat at his desk in his study, looking out the window which overlooked the ocean. The waves collided with the shore, causing water to spray. The sound today was not a lullaby but a pounding warning drum.
Tavian sighed, thinking about Ursula and how difficult his situation was becoming. He cared for her, of that he knew, and he wanted to keep her safe, which conflicted with reality. The simple fact was that he loved Charlotte and would ultimately break Ursula’s heart.
“Tavian,” Daniel said, walking up behind him.
Tavian turned. “Why are you here so early? How did you get in?
Daniel smiled, “I think perhaps Judd never sleeps.”
Tavian nodded. “I have often wondered.”
“Tavian, I am so sorry.”
“For what?” he asked, his gut sinking as he stood up.
“This situation you are in is impossible. There will not be an outcome that is in anyone’s favor.”
“And yet I must be the one to make the final decision,” he sighed, looking at Daniel.
“Yes,” Daniel nodded and touched the King’s shoulder.
“Call a meeting; we may as well get on with it. Lemma told me to stay on course, so I will do that.”
Daniel nodded, “Very good.”
He bowed his head before leaving the room to gather all the council members.
Tavian followed him out, walking to the meeting hall. He walked across the room to look out his favorite window, overlooking the garden. He sighed with a heavy breath. The garden was empty; no laughter, or Josie smiling back at him, or Charlotte chasing after the children.
The wind howled, rustling the bushes. Flower petals and leaves fell to the ground as if the season was changing before him. He closed his eyes as his stomach turned and put his hand to his chest. His heart ached for his children, for his wife, for all of them.
After today, he knew Charlotte would never speak to him again, but he had to do it; he had to stay on course, as Lemma had said. When he spoke with her, his mind had been made up, and that is what she saw; he could not change it now. No matter how horrible it was making him feel.
“My King,” Daniel called into the room as he entered.
Tavian turned to look at him.
“We are ready,” Daniel informed him.
As the men exited the meeting hall an hour later, Baron turned to the King and said, “Times are not easy now, Your Grace. Well, decisions like these can make or break our position.”
Tavian nodded. “Yes.”
“I will let Barric know.” Baron bowed before he left to carry out his next task.
Tavian watched the man, then looked over at Daniel, “He is good, loyal. I need to make him something more than just a council member.”
“High council, perhaps,” Daniel suggested.
“They did away with all of that,” Tavian responded.
Daniel shrugged, “Aren’t you the king?”
Tavian nodded, “Yes.”
“I will arrange the ceremony,” Daniel offered.
Tavian nodded, “Thank you.” he paused and sighed, “Well, I suppose I ought to get it over with.”
Ambrose cleared his throat, “It’s your first one, isn’t it, kid?”
Tavian looked over at him, “Yes. We have had peace since my reign began.”
When he spoke, a sadness filled his voice and hit Daniel’s heart. He felt terrible for his boy, knowing how hard this day would be for him.
“Well, it will not be easy, but you must remember why the decision was made and the punishment is being carried out. And the mess that Queen of yours has made.”
Tavian looked at him, “What? I know, but I feel like you’re making a point I am missing.”
“That little lady has created a division of power. When your servants and people are more loyal to the Queen than you, well, that there needs to be nipped in the bud just as soon as it starts,” Ambrose replied.
“He is right. This is the right decision. It is unfortunate. The man is a great worker.”
“Please,” Tavian threw his hands up. “This is hard enough. I don’t want to hear about how wonderful the man is.”
“My apologies, Your Grace. I will go and let the guards know.”
Tavian walked across the room toward the door, Ambrose grabbing his arm.
The King of Malan looked at King Octavian and said, “I can do it if you need me to.”
Tavian looked at him, “Thank you, but I must be the one to do it.”
Ambrose nodded and hugged Tavian, which shocked the King of Ivoca.
“Best you get to it then,” Ambrose said as he released Tavian.
Tavian walked from the room and headed toward the tower.
Charlotte, once again, sat in the corner of a cold, damp prison cell. She had been removed from her comfortable room at the top of the tower earlier in the day.
She knew the motive for this move was sure to be horrible.
Charlotte heard a scream followed by shouting, bouncing through the prison corridor. She scrambled to her feet and rushed to the cell bars clinging to the metal, trying to look as far down the corridor as possible.
“What is that?” she asked the guard.
Tavian appeared at the start of the corridor, taking Charlotte’s breath away.
Octavian was dressed head to toe in black with a white gold crown encrusted in diamonds, which sat upon his midnight curls. He looked astonishing, handsome, regal, and, most importantly, powerful.
Walking down the corridor, he eyed the prisoners one by one. He glanced at Henry, who sat in the middle of the cell, his head against the wall.
The King stopped outside Charlotte’s cell and turned to look at his wife, “Charlotte.”
“What was the screaming?” she asked, knowing the answer.
He gazed at her, his face displaying an emotion Charlotte could not identify.
“Remember as this day passes, as you watch what the council has unanimously agreed on, that you did this. You have brought shame to me, to my name as King. You have endangered countless lives. You did this,” he stated.
“Did what?” she asked, the pit of her stomach turning. “What are you doing, Octavian?”
Tavian looked at the guard, ignoring her, “Bring the Queen to the ring.”
Charlotte’s eyes grew wide. “The ring is where punishments are carried out,” she said, terrified. “Octavian!” she shouted as the guard grabbed her wrists and shackled them together.
“What are you doing, Octavian?” Anne shouted, gripping her cell bars.
Tavian stopped and turned to look at Anne.
“Do not ever call me that again. I am the fucking King!” he seethed at her. He looked her over, “I guess I cannot blame my wife entirely for her actions; you have been such a terrific role model for her as a mother.”
He shook his head and walked away.
Henry stood as did Andrea and watched as they led Charlotte down the corridor.
“Charlotte,” Anne called out.
“He would not behead his wife,” Henry said, looking at Anne. “Mother!” he shouted at her.
Anne and Andrea looked at him.
“Would he?” Henry asked.
Anne closed her eyes, “I do not know. He has been backed into a corner like a wounded animal. Men are at their worst in situations like that.”
Henry closed his eyes.
“Charlie,” he whispered in remorse.
“No, Henry!” Andrea snapped. “You stay strong no matter what happens. You do not cave.”
Henry looked at Andrea, “What if I can’t?”
“You can!” she shouted, wrapping her fingers around the bars and straining her neck to look at him. “You do not waver. We have come this far, and Ignatius will come.”
Henry nodded and walked to the back of his cell, slumping against the wall.
Charlotte held her head high as she was led out of the tower, past the garden and stable to the square. It was across from the training circle, where she had watched Tavian train countless times. Her heart was always filled with pride when she watched him train.
A large, active crowd had gathered; some were shouting kind words, while others were cruel, but all eyes fell on the Queen.
A large wooden platform stood in the center, and behind it was a landing overlooking the square, connecting to the castle via a giant catwalk.
Suddenly, the crowd settled, and an eerie silence fell over the city. Charlotte looked up and watched the King enter, standing on the landing and looking down on the square.
Daniel and Mary stood on each side of Octavian, while Ambrose stood just behind him.
Charlotte was led to the center, standing before the gathering crowd. She squinted as she gazed up at the King, the tiniest sliver of sun peeking from beneath the clouds shining down on her.
“Bring him,” Tavian shouted.
Two guards led Danvil out, clutching his arms; they pulled him up the steps to the platform. Charlotte swallowed; he was to be punished in front of everyone, lashings perhaps; she was sure she would be next. The King was proving a point. She would forgive him; she knew he had to repair what she broke in the people’s eyes.
Barric, the guard who carried out punishment, looked at the King. Tavian nodded, giving him the signal.
He turned and looked at the guards. “Lay him down.”
Charlotte watched in horror, realizing what was to happen. She ran to the front of the platform and looked at her King.
“No, no, no, leave him alone,” she cried.
Danvil looked at Charlotte, panic rippling through his face. “My Queen?”
“Octavian!” Charlotte shouted, staring up at her husband, whose face was stoic, and his eyes burned through her.
“Do not!” she screamed. “Octavian!”
Tavian stared at his wife, who pleaded for this man’s life. It should have touched him. Instead, it disgusted him.
“Tavian! Leave him, take me!” Charlotte begged, tears welling up in her eyes. “It is my crime!”
Octavian looked at her. Her actions were treasonous, and she shamed him and their children. He would make her sorry for choosing to be disloyal. He had to find a way to get through to her. He was King.
“Take it,” Octavian ordered, meeting Charlotte’s wide, frightened eyes.
Barric bent Danvil over a large wooden block.
“No!” Charlotte cried out.
She ran to stand just below him, and he stared at her, his pupils large with panic as tears ran down his face.
“My Queen,” he trembled as he called out to her.
Charlotte turned, running toward the platform’s stairs, but a guard grabbed her.
“Let this be a lesson and warning to you all. If you will not obey my laws, then that is treason, and for that, the punishment is death.”
Octavian paused, looked from the crowd to Charlotte, and said, “Regardless if the Queen asks. Your loyalty is to me, the King.”
“My Queen, please help me,” Danvil cried, tears streaming down his face.
Charlotte stared at Danvil, shaking her head, “It’s okay,” she whimpered, “It’s okay. It will be okay.”
She did all she could to hold back her tears as she tried to bring him comfort in his last moments.
“Oh, God, be with me as I breathe my last breath. Take me into your kingdom,” Danvil mumbled over and over.
Charlotte nodded, “Yes, it will be okay. You will be with God.”
She tried to smile at him, looking him in the eyes. She did this to him. She would not spare herself the horror; she would stay with him and watch him die.
“Queen Charlotte?” he cried out, trembling. “My queen, I only did as you asked.”
“Yes,” she smiled, tears clouding her eyes as she stared into his, “ I am so sorry,” she cried, losing the battle as a tear slid down her cheek.
Danvil continued to mumble his prayers and looked at her as the ax sliced through his neck; his head dropped and rolled. Charlotte closed her eyes, pushing the wall of tears down her face, listening to the crowd’s gasps behind her.
She fell to the ground sobbing, watching as the headless body of the young man who only tried to help her was carted off the platform. Guilt soared through her like a tidal wave; her stomach convulsed, and she vomited.
Octavian turned away, unable to bear the scene that unfolded before him. He hated himself for what he did, but worse, he hated Charlotte for driving him to this point. She was changing him, and he didn’t know how to make it stop.
Charlotte wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as she wept for Danvil.
Mary, who made her way down to the ground, crouched beside her. “It seems to me anyone that gets close to you ends up hurt or destroyed.”
Charlotte glared at her, unable to speak.
“Perhaps it is you who should be up on that platform,” Mary stated.
She stood up and walked away as the King approached them.
Tavian knelt beside the sobbing Queen.
“You did this,” he hissed.
He stood and looked at her guard, “Take her.”
He watched as two guards lifted Charlotte, one on each side.
“To the tower room, Your Grace?” one asked.
“No. Back to a cell,” Tavian ordered.
Almost
Tavian spent the rest of the day preparing for Henry’s trial, taking advice from his counsel and wandering the castle alone, lost in his thoughts.
He avoided Ursula, trying to get a grip on what his reality had become. He fought with himself over going to the tower and visiting Charlotte. As much as he wanted to, he knew he could not. He had to be strong and make sure she didn’t think she was forgiven.
Soon, night fell over the kingdom; exhausted from the day, Tavian made his way to his room. He avoided making eye contact with anyone, hoping to slip away into his bedroom.
“Your Grace,” Ursula said as Tavian walked up the stairs.
“Sula,” he responded with little effort.
“Are you alright?” she asked concerned.
He stopped on the top step and looked at her, “I am just tired.”
She moved a strand of hair behind his ear and whispered, “Would you like me to tuck you in?”
He gave her a small smile, “Not tonight. I need my eyes to close.”
Ursula placed a kiss on his forehead, “Sleep well.”
“And dream better,” he whispered.
“Yes,” she smiled at him, “Good night.”
“Good night, " he said, walking down the red-carpeted hall to his room.
The servants had started extinguishing the candles that lined the walls—lighting the corner lanterns that would burn through the night and provide a small amount of light.
Once Ursula was gone, Gwen hurried around the corner, running from Mary’s room.
“Your Grace!” Gwen called out.
Tavian stopped and sighed in defeat.
“Yes,” he turned to look at Gwen.
“Your Grace,” she bowed, “let me start by once again thanking you for your mercy shown upon me.”
“Gwen.”
“Please, Your Grace, let me speak.”
“Very well.”
“I am so grateful to be Lady Mary’s chambermaid; however, I care for our Queen.”
“I know you do, to a fault,” he said, annoyed.
“Yes, perhaps. I am worried about Charlotte. I know,” Gwen hesitated, “I know she must serve her punishment, but could she not bathe and maybe change clothing.”
“Gwen, she is a prisoner,” Tavian reminded her.
“Yes, she is.”
Tavian inhaled and then let it out as he thought about Gwen’s request, “I will have Daniel bring her to you tomorrow afternoon. You will bathe and dress her.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Gwen smiled.
He pointed his finger at her, “I warn you, though, do not speak to her about anything you may have heard in my mother’s company.”
“Of course not, Your Grace.”
“I like you, Gwen. I always have; from the moment you discovered the mishap with Charlotte’s wedding gown, I knew you were a valuable family member.”
“Your Grace.” Gwen blushed, “You remember that?”
Tavian chuckled, “Of course I do. You told me that day with such assertiveness that you were loyal to Charlotte. Your words impacted me, and your actions have backed it up. That is why you are still in employment here.”
Gwen nodded, “Thank you.”
“I will have someone come for you tomorrow before they fetch Charlotte from her cell.”
As Tavian turned away and grabbed his doorknob, Gwen placed her hand on his shoulder.
