Shuddering, Angelique refused to give it to him.
“How long do I have to stay here?” she asked, when the guard placed her in a cell. Thankfully, it was down the hallway from the others.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” he said, locking the door.
She sighed.
“Careful for the rats. Some of them bite,” he said as one raced across the hallway floor, just outside of the cell.
Angelique hated rodents, but was used to them. The cave, where she’d been staying, had been infested with them until she’d used her wand to clear them out. She didn’t dare try the spell in the dungeon, however. The entire place would light up and she needed to keep her wand a secret for as long as she could.
The guard’s bloodshot eyes roamed over her body. “If you want to make your stay here more bearable,” he said with a lecherous grin. “I can help with that.”
“For a price, right?” she said dryly.
He winked. “Just a small one.”
“Thanks, but no thanks,” she said, turning away from him.
“Your loss.”
Angelique glanced around the dank, disgusting cell, wondering how she’d make it through the upcoming days. Reminding herself that it would be worth it in the end, she walked over to the far wall and sat down. Closing her eyes, she prayed that the king’s promise to find a Truth Stone wasn’t a lie. Especially since his ethics were almost as questionable as his wizard’s.
18
THE QUEEN WAS livid. She’d seen the longing in the witch’s eyes and had witnessed her pathetic proclamation of love. That had been irritating enough. What infuriated her, however, was that she’d noticed something in her husband’s eyes. A look of longing that shouldn’t have been there. He was obviously spellbound by the sorceress, which meant trouble… and in more ways than one.
He was such a fool…
She loved Edward. He was the father of her children. Her husband. Her king. But, she wasn’t blind or stupid. He’d had his share of whores throughout their marriage, as did his father before him and his grandfather before that. He was a good king, but far from being a perfect husband. She tolerated it, because she had to.
This thing with Angelique, however, was dangerous.
Lizbeth pictured the two of them together, intimately, and it made her sick with jealousy. Somehow, she just knew that the witch was plotting to take him away from her and that her stay in the dungeon was all part of a greater plan. After all, what kind of a fool would give herself up to be executed? Especially after being banned from Syracuse by the man she claimed to want to help.
It didn’t make sense.
As far as Angelique’s accusations, in regards to Gaylen, there was something about the wizard that left a bad taste in her mouth. She would definitely send a message to her father, and his wizard, and if there really was a Truth Stone, Lizbeth would make sure it was used. What worried her was that if Angelique’s accusations turned out to be true, Edward might pardon her.
That couldn’t happen.
Angelique had to go. This time… for good.
19
SOMETHING WOKE ANGELIQUE. She opened her eyes and gasped.
“Hello, Angelique,” said Hecate staring down at her, amused. “I’m sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?”
She blinked. “Am I dreaming?”
“No. I’m really here,” the goddess said, walking around the cell, her long gown trailing behind her. “Although, nobody else can see me. Just you.”
Sniffing the air, Angelique recognized the scent of jasmine, which accompanied Hecate wherever she went. As usual, the goddess was a vision of beauty, with her large amethyst eyes, radiant complexion, and cheekbones that some said rivaled Aphrodite’s. Tonight she looked exceptionally pretty, especially with the white flowers laced through her long, black hair.
“I’m honored,” she replied, standing up and curtsying. “How may I serve you, Goddess?”
“I’m not here for me. I’m here for you.”
“Oh?” Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. Being in Hecate’s presence was both frightening and exciting at the same time. The woman was powerful enough to take out a small city with a simple hand gesture.
“There’s not a lot of time, so let me get right to the point,” she said, her eyes full of concern. “I fear that the queen will be visiting you soon and that she means you great harm.”
Her eyes widened. “How certain are you?”
“Very. I had a vision.”
Hecate could sometimes see into the future. She complained that it was both a gift and a curse. “What will happen?”
“I saw death. Yours, to be exact.”
The blood rushed to her ears. Die?
She wasn’t ready to die.
She’d barely lived…
Hecate put a hand on her shoulder. “Relax, child. As I’ve said before, the future isn’t written in stone. You can change it.”
“Who are you talking to?” the scarred guard asked gruffly, appearing in front of her cell.
Angelique looked at him. “Myself.”
“If it’s a conversation you want, I’d be happy to give you some company,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows.
Hecate sneered. “Disgusting swine. He smells as if he’s been wading in orc dung.”
Angelique grinned.
The guard, mistaking her smile for an answer, began unlocking the door. “I knew you’d come around.”
“I haven’t,” she said coldly, backing up. “I do not wish your company.”
His eyes hardened. “You must also wish not to eat or drink?”
“I’m not hungry. Nor am I thirsty.”
“Nor desperate,” added Hecate, shaking her head. “The man is truly vile, isn’t he?”
Angelique nodded. “Indeed.”
“There you again. Talking to yourself. You’re going to regret not being nice to me,” the guard said with a cold smile. “Some have waited weeks for execution. We’ll see how you feel when your mouth is so dry… you’d be willing to swallow anything,” he said, grabbing the front of his pants.
“I’d rather drink rat piss,” Angelique replied.
Hecate grinned. “That’s my girl.”
The vein in his forehead began to throb. “It can be arranged.”
She didn’t reply.
Whistling, the guard turned and walked away.
“Why are you putting yourself through all of this?” Hecate asked, looking around the cell in disgust. “The guard is bad enough, but this place is repulsive. I sense that they haven’t taken your wand. You could leave whenever you wanted to.”
Angelique told her about Gaylen and his plot to try and kill the Rothhavens.
She rolled her eyes. “His antics never surprise me. But, why do you care? I thought you wanted to take your revenge out on the king anyway? Have those plans changed?”
“I don’t know,” she said honestly.
Hecate sighed. “Let Gaylen kill Edward and then you can take care of the wizard afterward.”
“He means to kill Edward’s children, though,” Angelique replied. “You know I can’t allow that.”
Hecate sighed and shook her head. “You are far too soft hearted, Angelique. I can’t believe that you’re sitting in this cell just to save the lives of children who fear and probably, if we’re being honest here, despise you.”
“I don’t care. No matter their feelings for me, they are still innocent children and don’t deserve to die. I will not sit back and watch it happen. Nor will I allow Gaylen to become king. Imagine what would happen to Syracuse if that despicable wizard sits on the throne? He would have too much power.”
“Only for a short time. Segomo would eventually come for him. Especially in times of war, which Gaylen would surely bring upon himself.
“Maybe, but too many would be hurt in the interim.”
“True.” Hecate touched her shoulder. “But, how does sitting in this cell help your cause? Why didn’t you just kill Gaylen and be done with it? Or at least try. With the wand, you could have taken him out by now.”
“I need Edward to know the kind of evil his wizard is capable of. Maybe then he’ll…”
“Take you back?” she asked, smiling wryly.
“No.” Her eyes hardened. “I would never wish that. I just want him to realize how much he’s wronged me.”