do not grab us by the arms, but maintain a tight formation around us. While my heart beats faster, Beast’s continues its slow, steady rhythm.
We are not taken to the main hall, but to the smaller, more private chambers attached to the ducal rooms that the king has taken for his own. One of the men opens the door, and Captain Stuart very nearly shoves us inside. Beast does not even notice, but I must struggle to keep my footing.
As I look up, every fear I have had since first seeing the escort crystallizes at the familiar faces around me. Not only is the king here, but also the regent, the Bishop of Albi, and General Cassel, as well as two advisors I do not know. The Bishop of Narbonne is not in attendance.
The king sits rigidly in his chair, his face hard, as he watches us approach. Captain Stuart bows. “The traitors, Your Majesty.”
The word is like a slap, and I must fight to keep my temper in check. I sink into a deep curtsy as Beast goes down on one knee.
“Read the charges against them,” the king says.
General Cassel steps forward. “The two of you are charged with acting against the crown and trying to incite a rebellion among the barons and commoners against their true liege, escaping the king’s lawful imprisonment, and murdering one of the king’s guards.”
I do not dare look at Cassel for fear he will see that I know he was behind the murdered guard. I do not want to show my hand just yet.
“What say you to these charges?”
Beast’s voice rumbles into the chamber. “I have killed no one but your enemies, Your Majesty. I do not know what tale has reached your ears or been reported to you, but we rode here to put down the rebellion that was already underway. And while I did escape from the dungeon in order to do so, my only aim was to see that Rohan did not succeed in raising nobles to his cause.”
“And what cause was that?” The regent’s voice fair curdles my stomach.
“Asserting his right to the duchy over the queen’s and claiming she did not have the authority to sign a treaty on his behalf.”
“You lie.” The regent impugns Beast’s honor as casually as swatting at a fly.
“With all due respect, Madame,” I say. “He does not lie. If you were to speak with Lord Montauban, or Lord Châlons or Marshal Rieux, they would all support our claim.”
It is the king who answers. “All those men have been loyal to the queen. I cannot trust them in this. Besides, your actions speak louder than any words.” I can hear a faint thrum of fury in his voice.
“What we need you to tell us,” the regent interjects smoothly, “is how involved the queen has been with this plan.”
I meet her gaze, allowing all my righteous outrage to spill out. “She has only acted with honor, to ensure the dowry she brought to this marriage was not stolen out from under the king.”
“So she was involved.”
There is but the briefest moment to make a choice. “Only to the degree you saw in Paris, when she presented her arguments in front of you.”
“Is that true?” she asks Beast.
He does not hesitate. “Yes.” I allow myself a small, internal sigh of relief. We will at least be able to shield her.
“Yet another lie, I’m afraid,” she says lightly, before her face grows hard and smug. “English soldiers were among the dead at Morlaix.”
“They were not fighting for Her Majesty,” Beast explains, “but against her. Not only did Rohan initiate the rebellion, he invited France’s enemies to move against the queen as well.”
“Your Majesty.” I direct my words to the king. “If you do not trust us, all you must do is locate Viscount Rohan and put the questions to him. Find out where he was, who he was corresponding with. It will prove that we tell the truth.”
There is another long pause. “We have already done so,” the regent says. “And he has testified that he was approached by the queen to participate in such a scheme, but refused.”
She has gotten to him. The regent has gotten to Rohan and convinced him to implicate the queen to save his own hide.
“Take them away,” the king says with a wave of his hand.
Soldiers step forward then, holding chains and manacles as they approach Beast. I want to scream at them, but will not give them the satisfaction.