Jack (Eidolon Black Ops #8) - Maddie Wade Page 0,63
Father has some asinine idea he should be King?”
“That about sums it up, dear, yes.” His mum patted the bed, and he sat beside her taking her hand.
“Why now? Why keep this secret and tell us now? If I’d known before, I would’ve known what I was facing with Dad and his special brand of crazy.”
“Because I’ve been released from my promise, and I fear your father is planning something that will end with my two most precious boys hurt. I know I didn’t protect you before and I should have. I should’ve stopped his bullying and I didn’t. For that I will be eternally sorry, but I do love you, and I’ll do what I can to make it up to you.”
“It’s okay, Ma, we know you tried.”
Jack glanced at Will, who looked stunned and hurt, the pain that had been caused by their father so much worse than what he’d had. Frederick had done nothing but show Will contempt from the beginning.
Jack gripped his brother’s shoulder in support. “Why was he harder on Will than me?”
“Frederick wasn’t always the man he is today. He was kind and gentle, but he was the product of a strict father who wanted him to be the best and always found fault. When the Queen passed over him, it almost killed him. Will was born around the same time, and I think that coupled with the fact he couldn’t control his youngest child, he lashed out. I should have left him then, but I didn’t, and I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t need Dad. I had Jack and you.”
“It is not okay, but I love you for saying that, baby boy.”
Jack chuckled at his mother’s name for Will. He was so far from that scrawny child now. He was a man, a protector, an inventor, and could buy and sell this country he loved over and over so great was his wealth, which he barely touched.
“Why does Dad want Eidolon destroyed? Is it pure jealousy?”
Carolyn looked at him then. “He wants the throne, and in his head, if he can take down the Queen, he can make that play. He has reams and reams of paperwork pertaining to his lineage. Plus, I think there’s a little revenge for the Queen passing him over and a lot of hurt pride.”
“Jesus, what kind of father tries to ruin his own sons for pride and power and some title?”
Will looked at him with sad eyes. “A shit one.”
“So eloquent, William, no wonder Aubrey loves you.”
Will smiled as he gave him the middle finger.
Jack saw his mother yawn, and he and Will stood. “We should let you get some rest. Two things before we go, though.”
“Yes, love?”
“How do you know all this? And who was the promise to?”
His mother smiled sadly. “Your father told me when we first married, and the rest came over time as he’d rant and rave about it. I didn’t know he was targeting Eidolon, or I would’ve told you sooner.”
“I know, Ma. We kept it from you on purpose. We didn’t want you dragged into this shit with us.”
“Language, Jack.”
“Sorry, this nightmare.”
“Well, I am now, and I support my sons completely. If I hear from Frederick, I’ll let you know, but I doubt I will now.” He could hear the slight melancholy in her voice as if she remembered the past and better times.
“Who was the promise to?”
Carolyn smiled wide. “My good friend Lydia.”
Jack felt his jaw go slack in shock, sure he must be hearing his mother wrong. “Not the Lydia, the Queen?”
“Yes, exactly. Who do you think got on a train to London to warn her of your father’s intentions all those years ago?”
“Holy crap. Go, Mum.”
“I may have loved him, but I wasn’t blind to the threat he posed to the Queen, and I didn’t want that for my sons. Unfortunately, I may have made it worse for them.”
Jack leaned down, his hand on his mother’s head and kissed her forehead. “Love you, Mum. Get some rest and Astrid and I will be in to see you tomorrow.”
“I do love that girl, and she suits you so well.”
Jack smiled, unable to help it when he thought of Astrid. “Yeah, she does.”
Jack moved back so Will could say goodbye, and he and his brother walked out of the department to find Astrid and Aubrey in silence.
Halfway down the corridor, he angled his body towards Jack. “Can you believe all that?”
He shook his head. “I believe it because Mum wouldn’t lie