far, it’s boxed in with castle walls on two sides and an archway entrance on each end leading back into the castle, but it’s a quiet, outside space. He leads me over to one of the benches that are placed around each fountain, and we take a seat.
Leaning my head back, I look at the sky, the clouds floating past. The sounds of the gentle fountains are soothing, and if I close my eyes, I can almost pretend that I’m somewhere else, someone else.
“I want to kill him.”
I whip my head to the side to look at Jacob, my eyes wide at his statement. Glancing around, I pray that no one overhears. Thankfully, the courtyard is empty, but there are listening ears everywhere. I turn my attention back to the prince, but he’s staring up at the sky.
“Jacob, you can’t say things like that,” I warn a hushed voice, placing a hand on his arm. He never said who it was that he wants to kill, but I know who he’s talking about—the king. “Didn’t you just tell me that talk like that would be considered treason?” Voice low, I know I need to get through to him. “You could be killed if anyone hears you, just like your mother.”
My hand on his arm seems to gain his attention, and he looks at me as I speak, wincing at the mention of his mother’s death. His eyes harden and glitter with something I’m not used to seeing on his face—hate. Scooting back, I feel my heart hammer in my chest, and I have to remind myself who I’m with.
But do you really know him that well? My inner voice tries to make me doubt myself, and it might have worked, except Jacob seems to notice my fear.
“I’m sorry, Clarissa. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Concern creases his face and his eyes soften. Leaning towards me, he reaches out, stopping when he sees me flinch again.
“He will kill you if you say things like that. Him or the priests. You can’t trust them. You have to be careful,” I rush out, my terror suddenly changing from fear of him, to fear for him. That tingle runs through me, and I know this feeling is coming from the Great Mother, she’s sending him a message through me. Not that I can tell him that though, it would only cause too many questions.
“Okay. I will, I promise.” He nods emphatically, and I know he’s telling the truth.
I open my mouth to say something else, perhaps to warn him some more, but a strange feeling runs over me. It feels a bit like when someone is using magic nearby, but it’s unlike any magic I’ve felt before. I get the urge to walk over to the far fountain. I push the impulse away, not understanding what’s happening.
“Is everything okay, Clarissa? You seem really distracted...” Jacob asks, his voice trailing off as he glances towards where I’m looking. Something in my gut screams not to let him go over there, and before I even realise I’ve done it, I reach out and take his hand.
“Oh, I guess I’m just tired,” I answer quickly, pulling his attention back to me as he stares at my hand which is now linked with his. He then glances up at me, trying to read my expression. While I might have used it as an excuse, it is true. I am exhausted. “Everything the king said… The slaves…” I feel sick as I speak, thinking of those poor, innocent children and their families. My familiar rage is back, but I try to tamp it down—now is not the time to be angry.
Jacob makes a sound of disgust. “I fought with him about that, even Michael voted against it, but Rhydian was the one to suggest it,” he explains, and I raise an eyebrow as he speaks. I knew Rhydian followed in his father’s footsteps, but I’m surprised at this piece of news. He has been away for a long time, fighting in the war, but I’ve heard what he is capable of.
“Everyone thinks it’s my father who is harsh and cruel, but it’s my brother who is behind a lot of this, him and that priest,” Jacob continues, and as I listen, I find my gaze being pulled back to that fountain, the need to go over increasing with each moment. Pushing it away, I try to focus on the prince.