word was like a dagger to her heart. She listened.
“One night, while Henry and the other Warriors were traveling together to Londa, your father and an army of men invaded Silvergarden and killed my father in his bed.”
Willow burst into tears. “I’m sorry my father took your father from you, Shauna.”
“Dearest, it isn’t as if you did it,” Shauna tried to reassure her.
“How did you and Caleb escape him?”
“Henry returned four days later and found us and took us to Shondravar.
“Immediately after your father took the throne, he signed the water over to the Desert Countries. The Warriors tried to stop him, but there were only nine of them left, and there wasn’t much they could do but watch our lakes become dirt. Baltrasard figured it would rain and we would get all our water back, but the rains slowly stopped. He killed the nobles in the other cities and forfeited their land to his own men, men who were loyal to him. Most of them are all dead now, killed by my brother’s own hand.”
Shauna wiped her eyes again, leaving the sorrowful memories behind. “That was many years ago, Willow. My brother has waited patiently to reclaim what is rightfully his. But he cares more for Predaria than about being king. And that is what makes him such a great king. That’s why the people love him. I used to think he was wrong, that he should have made your father his first priority and not the land, but he was right. What good was our inheritance if it became a desert? He’s made it rain, Willow. We have crops because of him. God has given my brother knowledge of the ground, and how it affects the skies. Predaria will be livable again and when it is, Caleb needs to take back his rightful crown.”
Willow went to the window, walking like one who’s life was about to end. She was quiet, looking out for so long, Shauna thought she wasn’t going to say anything, but then, “I knew none of this, you must believe me.”
“I do,” Shauna told her gently.
“And what you told me pains me deeply. My father has destroyed many lives. But should I hate my own father, Shauna? What does your God say about that? My father is sick, and I’m going to see him. As for your brother, he should have told me the truth.”
Shauna sighed painfully. “Please, try to understand—”
“I’m going. I’ll tell my father that I know everything. I’ll tell him the Warriors will spare his life if he abandons the throne and never returns. He’s afraid of Caleb.” She turned on her heel and when she looked at Shauna, the Warrior saw a whole new resolve set into the delicate face she had come to love. “But I’m telling you this, if I’m followed by any Warriors, or if I’m used as bait to capture my father in any way, I will never forgive Caleb. Never. And I don’t want Caleb to bring me home. I want to hear him give the orders and then go back to Shondravar.”
“My brother will never agree to sending you home without a Warrior escort.”
“No. I’m sorry.” Willow shook her head. “If my father is ill, he won’t last five minutes near the Warriors, especially the one who has the most to gain.”
Shauna nodded knowing she meant Caleb, then, “Caleb’s never loved anyone the way he loves you, Willow.”
This time her resolve did not falter, but Shauna caught the heavy rise and fall of Willow’s breath. “If my father isn’t harmed because of me, I’ll come back. You have my word, Shauna.” Willow twisted her gown in her fingers then, and bit down on her lip until it bled. “I…I love Caleb so much…” The moment she said the words, she seemed to crumble where she was standing. “Do you realize that today I found out my life was lie? And the man I love, who I thought was a simple commoner, is really the King of Predaria? Oh!” she sobbed, “What you must think of me!”
Shauna hurried to embrace her. “We weren’t laughing at you, Willow,” she promised as she stroked Willow’s hair. “I give you my word we weren’t. Caleb thought you would hate him once you found out the truth, so he forbade us to tell you. Only the people of Shondravar and a few in Prandar know who he really is.”
“The true king.” Willow breathed, still looking stunned.