She remembered the respect and admiration Caleb received from the villagers, and from Jonas. Still, something about what Jonas had just told her didn’t sit right. When she looked up just in time to catch Jonas and Shauna exchange a warning glance, her blood ran cold. She closed her eyes and asked them the question that stilled her heart, not really wanting an answer, but needing one.
“You wore war paint when you attacked Silvergard. Were the Warriors going to kill the king without trial?” Again, Willow caught Shauna cut him a nervous glance. “Tell me the truth, Jonas. Please.”
“We didn’t go there to kill him right away,” Jonas told her quietly, all traces of mirth were gone from his eyes. “You should speak to Caleb on this matter, princess.”
“No,” Willow said just as quietly, but with a determination that made Shauna look away from her. “I am asking you, Jonas.”
“Very well. King Baltrasard was to be brought back to Shondravar and…hanged publicly.”
Willow hands flew to her mouth, the look of horror on her face made Jonas rise to his feet and go to the window.
“By Caleb’s orders?” Willow asked them.
“He killed our father and brought destruction to all of Predaria, Willow,” Shauna explained, glaring openly at Jonas now.
“By Caleb’s orders?” she repeated.
“Yes.” Jonas finally turned to her again, his face a somber mask of regret. “By Caleb’s orders.”
“So Caleb’s orders are always carried out?” When Jonas nodded, her heart slowed a bit.
“Caleb promised to spare my father’s life.”
Shauna released an audible groan and sank into her chair, shaking her head. Seeing Shauna’s reaction worried Willow. She was thankful that it had been Caleb’s orders and not his sister’s, or Jonas’. “Will the rest of you honor his decision?” Willow asked both of them.
“We must.” Jonas rubbed his forehead. “It’s late, I had better be leaving.” He prepared to go, holding out his hand to Shauna.
“Jonas?” Willow unfolded her legs and stood up to face him, realizing now what didn’t make sense to her before. “You said there were other Warriors in Alare and Prandar.”
“That’s right, princess.”
“And they would obey Caleb as well?”
“Of course,” he answered quickly.
Willow tilted her face to look at him straight in the eyes. “Tell me why is that? You said Caleb was the leader of Shondravar. Is he the leader of Prandar and Alare as well, that they should obey him?”
Shauna clenched her teeth and stepped forward, tired of this charade. “He is…”
“He is the commander of the Warriors,” Jonas bit off Shauna’s words. He didn’t look at his beloved but offered Willow a tender grin. “Rest well, princess. If Caleb said he would spare your father’s life, then spared it shall be.”
Jonas left the cottage without another word. When he stepped out into the night air, Shauna was right behind him.
“We can’t honor this, Jonas.” She stepped in front of him, clenching her teeth.
“We have no choice, Shauna.” Jonas lifted his fingers to smooth a pale tendril off her cheek. “Your brother is the king and it’s his word that we live by. We all swore to do so when we became Warriors, including you.”
“But this is…”
“No, Shauna.” Jonas eyes flashed with something dark. “The only reason you get away with disobeying him is because you’re his sister, and the princess.”
“I don’t care,” she argued defiantly. She glared at him as he passed her and began to walk home. “How can he become king if he lets Baltrasard live, Jonas?”
“He only needs to take the crown and strip Baltrasard of his title. Caleb is the true heir to the throne. Killing the present king only becomes necessary if you are usurping his title.”
“I know all that, you lackwit,” Shauna seethed at him, catching up.
Jonas tossed her a menacing smile. If he didn’t love her so he would take great pleasure in throttling her good. “Maybe Caleb doesn’t want to be king, Shauna. Have you considered that?”
“I don’t care if he wants to or not!” she shouted, then looked around and lowered her voice. “It’s his destiny. My father was the king, and Caleb is his only son. He has no choice in the matter.” She set her shoulders and thrust her delicate chin at him. “If Caleb doesn’t kill the bastard, I will.”
Jonas adored her, but he was above all else, loyal to Caleb. “No, Shauna. You won’t. You’ll do what your brother says, or I will whip that lovely rump of yours until you can’t sit down for a week.”