Warrior's Ransom (The First Argentines #2) - Jeff Wheeler Page 0,63

a poison. And you’ve drunk your fill of it.”

The king flinched, her words landing a blow. “And what of your pride? What of your conceit? You drove my sons to rebellion!”

“You blame me for their insurrection still. But it was you yourself who caused it. Your determination to persecute Occitania gave Lewis the opportunity to draw them in. I never told my sons that they were making friends of my enemies. I kept that pain to myself.”

The king held up his hand, visibly frustrated. “There is no point discussing this further. Instead of being grateful I delivered you from bondage to that wily king, you have castigated and condemned me. I’ll hear no more on that score. Tell me, then, truthfully. If Alix is your daughter and Lewis’s spawn, then she is no true heir of Bayree. Nor is she an heir of the house of Vertus. She’s illegitimate and thus cannot inherit anything. Do I understand well the laws of Occitania?”

“If you accuse her, yes,” said the queen. “But in doing so, you challenge the honor of Pree, and thus void the treaty of peace you’ve just established. To what end, Husband?”

He flinched at the word. “Do not call me that!”

“But I am your wife in the eyes of the Lady and our people. Think, Devon! If you deny her, will it not cast in doubt the legitimacy of your own sons, who also came from my womb?”

The king’s cheeks were flushed, his breathing growing sharper and sharper.

“I swear on the Lady that the sons I bore you are your offspring. I have been faithful to you, even though you’ve cast me aside. But if even one person sows doubts . . . That is why I’ve never spoken of this. To protect you and our sons. Leave the girl alone. None of this is her fault.”

Devon slumped into a chair, pressing his face into his hands. He coughed and then lowered his hands and glared at her. “She killed our eldest child, madam. And others. And if I send Ransom to her, she’ll likely kill him too. Or anyone else I allow to marry her.”

The queen stared at him in confusion.

“Lewis made her a poisoner! He must have sent her to that accursed place in Pisan when she was old enough. You never knew this?”

By the look of shock and horror on the queen’s face, it was obvious she had not.

“No, Husband. I did not know that.”

“So you’ve never seen her? You don’t know your daughter?”

The queen’s face crumpled in anguish. “Not since her birth. I placed one kiss on her bloodied scalp, and then she was rushed away from me and taken to Pree. I didn’t even give her that name. But I’ve heard of her resemblance to me . . . that it has caused rumors and idle stories.”

“Perhaps I should capture her and send her to the tower to be your companion!” said the king harshly.

The queen, who had been standing by the door the entire time, rushed forward and knelt by the king’s chair. “I beg you, Husband, do not be so cruel. Have I not suffered long enough? Release me.”

Ransom’s throat tightened as he listened to her plea. The entire situation was horrible, none of the possible outcomes desirable. Would the king force him to take Bayree and send Alix away in humiliation? He did not want that to happen either. Even if she had knowingly deceived him, he still believed there was good in her. He’d seen her tend to the wounded for days, tireless and unflinching.

“I’ll not hear of it!” thundered Devon. He clambered out of the chair and left her on her knees, her eyes wet. “You think I am fool enough to be convinced by tears to do something that would only hurt me?”

“Have you not had enough revenge?” the queen pleaded. “Send me to Auxaunce. Banish me there that you may never see me again.”

The king choked down a cruel laugh. “Oh? And what about when I give the Vexin to Jon-Landon? Will you be so keen to live there then? He’s not so fond of you as the others.”

The queen gazed at him, her mouth turning down in a look of dread. “Surely you are not that foolish.”

“The kingdom is mine to do with as I please. Benedict will be heir to Kingfountain, and the Vexin will go to Jon-Landon. Surely Bennett wouldn’t want it the other way around?”

The queen hung her head, her golden tresses hiding