It seems she’s grown close to the prince and their family.”
“If she can’t follow orders, then I have no use for her,” King Basil grumbled. “She would be better off dead. In fact, after we take the kingdom of Baist, I want you to see to her demise. Make it look accidental.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty,” Earlsgaarde said softly. He rolled up the map and turned toward the door. I backed up but wasn’t fast enough before the door opened, and I looked into the whiskered face of Earlsgaarde.
“So we meet again, Allemar,” I sneered.
Earlsgaarde grinned evilly. “The truth has come out. Although, I’m surprised you didn’t notice sooner.” He reached under his tunic and pulled a wax string that was threaded around a small finger bone. A bone that probably had at one time belonged to the real emissary of Florin. With a tug he snapped the necklace off and tossed it to the side.
Allemar’s body shifted, the white-mustached emissary disappearing. I expected to see the healer with his exotic skin and sharp features, but instead he became a tall man with slicked-back gray hair and a peppered goatee. His fingers were long and boney, his dark eyes hidden under hooded lids and his teeth curled up into a cruel grin.
“You were the one who tried to kill the royal family!”
“If it wasn’t for you. I would have succeeded.”
The door to the drawing room swung open and King Basil stood there, not surprised in the least by the sorcerer standing in front of him. “What is going on, Allemar?”
“We have a snoop.” Allemar flung me down on the floor in front of the king.
“You’re a liar,” I accused my father. “You were never going to leave the kingdom of Baist alone.”
“Really, Rosalie. I’m very disappointed in you,” the king sighed. “I had such high hopes that you would see we’re your family. That you would understand your place here.”
“My place,” I sneered as I pulled myself up to a standing position, “is to stand in opposition right between you and Baist. If you want to get to them, you will have to go through me.”
The man who stood before me transformed, his round face turned dark and ugly, his eyebrows narrowed. “No one stands between me and what I want.”
“I know. Because you wanted a son and were willing to throw me away.”
“It was the best decision I have ever made!” King Basil bellowed.
My voice had gone cold. “I agree. The day I was taken from you was the greatest day of my life. I will gladly sacrifice it if it means keeping you from getting your greedy hands on Baist.”
King Basil swung his thick, meaty hand, connecting with my face and knocking me to the ground.
I reached for my power, but the bands burned into my wrists through the bandages, the pain agonizing as I tried to break through the enchantments binding me.
“Do you like them?” Allemar asked capriciously as he leaned over me. “I made them just for you. Let’s see who’s more powerful now.”
He reached for my skull, and white-hot pokers blinded me as my eyes rolled back. Gasping, unable to take a full, deep breath, I could feel unconsciousness coming back.
“Take her from my sight,” the king said. “Make sure she never crosses my path again.”
“With pleasure.” Allemar grinned.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I awoke in a dank, dark cell. From the little light that trickled in through the barred window no larger than a loaf of bread, I estimated that it had to be almost sundown. Sitting up, I pressed my back against the wall and looked out the window.
“Xander,” I muttered, hoping he would come but knowing he wouldn’t. He had found a way to get rid of me for good.
Tears of frustration burned my eyes, and my heart ached at the betrayal. I had known love for a few hours and now knew heartbreak. This feeling—it was horrible. My chest was empty, like someone had carved out my heart with a dull spoon and filled it with a burning stone.
The agony was unbearable.
But the loneliness was worse.
No one came for me. I was left to rot in the cell with no food or water, but then a heavy rain started, causing rivulets to run in through the window and down my wall. I was able to cup my hands and fill my palms with water to quench my parched throat, at least.
Another full mark came and went, and the rain, once the answer to my prayer,