Besotted (The Fairest Maidens #3) - Jody Hedlund Page 0,82
to make gold.”
I pinched my eyes closed and prepared for death.
Chapter
26
Kresten
the infirmary was deserted save a lone old servant asleep on a pallet. The noises from when I opened the window and dropped through hadn’t awoken him. Or perhaps he was too ill to care. Whatever the case, I’d been able to make my way easily into the lodge. It was the traversing of the hallways that proved to be more difficult as servants and soldiers alike scurried everywhere.
The attack efforts at the gatehouse had thrown the queen’s men into confusion. I hoped it was enough distraction that no one would stop to question my presence.
I crept along the west wing of the compound, checking each room, while Jorg and Chester were each in their hallways doing the same thing. One of us would find Aurora. She was here somewhere.
I just prayed we weren’t too late.
At the slapping boots of another guard on the run, I ducked into the closest open doorway and hid out of sight, hardly daring to breathe. When the steps faded, I resumed my search through the deserted chambers. From the plainness of each one, I guessed the monks resided in this part of the lodge, where they could act as caretakers to the sick.
I paused before an ornately carved arched door. Was this the chapel? Of course, the monks would reside near a chapel to perform their duties there as well.
Carefully, I opened the door and peered inside. At the sight before me, my blood turned to ice. Aurora was tied on the altar, a priest standing above her, a knife poised above her heart.
“Stop!” I cried out.
The priest fumbled with the knife, his eyes widening at the sight of me. Next to him stood a second priest and a beautiful woman I assumed was the queen, and they, too, startled at my shout.
With my axe in one hand and my knife in the other, I sprinted down the aisle, the chill racing through me giving me an extra burst of speed and strength.
“Kresten?” Aurora strained her head to see me. “What are you doing here?”
I made it to the prayer rail before the queen reacted, grabbing another knife from the table in front of her and pressing the blade to Aurora’s throat. “Halt! Or I’ll slit her throat.”
I froze as the blade pressed into Aurora’s throat and drew blood.
“Drop your weapons,” the queen commanded.
“Please. I beg of you.” I lowered my knife and placed it on the prayer cushion. “Let’s talk rationally about this.”
“Kresten?” The queen held the blade so tightly that Aurora winced and closed her eyes.
“Yes, I am Kresten.”
“I have had the delightful opportunity to meet your brothers.” Her tone was derisive. “And now I am fortunate to meet the youngest Scanian prince.”
Aurora’s eyes flew open to meet mine. Confusion swirled in the beautiful violet-blue depths. While I’d discovered her true identity, she’d yet to learn mine.
“I am Prince Kresten, third-born son of King Christian of the Holberg kings.” I didn’t let my gaze waver from hers as I announced the truth. “Aurora, I’m sorry I did not tell you sooner.”
The queen raised one elegant brow. “Then the two of you know each other?”
“I love Queen Aurora and will do anything to free her, even become your slave.”
The queen’s lips curved into a small smile. “How sweet of you.”
I gauged Aurora’s reaction and could see she understood what I hadn’t told her, that I knew her identity already and was there to rescue her. Yes, I had a duty to my country to become the next king. But Aurora’s life was more important than anything else, and I had to find a way to save her.
The knife against her throat didn’t waver.
I tightened my grip on my axe, trying to decide if it would reach the queen and knock her back before she could make the slice that would end Aurora’s life.
“Put your axe and sword down too,” the queen said, as though sensing the direction of my thoughts.
“For what purpose? Either way you intend to slay Aurora. At the very least I shall kill you and put an end to your tyranny, ensuring you never have the chance to make gold.”
Never have the chance to make gold.
The golden chest with the white stone sat within my grasp. If I destroyed the white stone, the queen would no longer have the means for carrying out her alchemy. She’d have no need for Aurora’s heart.