“Yes.”
Although, they’d drifted apart once her mother learned of Edward and Angelique’s secret relationship. Beverly hadn’t approved of her daughter warming the king’s bed and they’d argued about it frequently. But, he ruled the land and even if she hadn’t wanted to be his lover, Angelique might not have had a choice in the matter.
“I can see that you are truly heartbroken and have been wronged by Gaylen, who I don’t particularly care for. As much as I’d like to help, I cannot as he is a demigod. If you serve me, however, I promise that one day… you will stand before him as a suitable opponent. One who will have the tools to destroy him, if that’s what you want.”
And that’s exactly what Angelique had done. She became Hecate’s attendant, jumping to her every whim dutifully, for the last two decades. During her servitude, she also became her apprentice, learning how to cast spells, create potions, and use enchanted objects. Angelique knew that she would never be as powerful as a goddess, but she was now a formidable adversary to Gaylen. Especially with the wand Hecate had made for her. Although she couldn’t kill Gaylen with it, she could cast some pretty powerful spells that could make life very difficult for him.
After scurrying around the castle, in search of King Edward, Angelique overheard a conversation his sons were having in the north solar room.
“Do you think that Father will be able to find Gaylen?” Prince Mathias asked.
Griffin, who was playing chess with Aiden, shrugged. “I don’t know. From what I overheard, Gaylen has made himself scarce for the last few years.”
“Why?” asked Mathias.
“I don’t know. I’ve only met the wizard a couple of times,” he replied.
“I’ve never met him at all,” Mathias said.
“Nor have I,” said Zackary, who was sitting next to Aiden and looking bored.
“Do you think it really was Angelique?” Mathias asked, scratching his cheek.
“Yes,” said Aiden. “Unless there are other sorceresses stalking our castle.”
“Was she an ugly old hag?” Zackary asked.
Aiden shook his head. “I don’t think she looked any older than Mother. As far as being ugly, I couldn’t see her face; she was too far away.”
“I bet if she is beautiful, it’s because she bathes in the blood of virgins,” Zackary said, with an impish grin.
The other boys laughed.
“Where do you get these things?” Griffin said, shaking his head with a smile.
He shrugged. “I heard someone mention it I guess.”
“What do you think Gaylen will do to Angelique?” Aiden asked, looking up from the chess board.
“If she was banished and has returned, he’ll probably kill her,” Griffin replied.
“Yes and if he doesn’t, Father will probably hang her or chop her head off,” Mathias added.
Anger burned in Angelique’s stomach as the young princes went on about the different ways the king might end her life.
Suddenly, Queen Lizbeth entered the room. “Time to get ready for bed, boys,” she said, walking over to the table.
“Let me beat Aiden first,” Griffin said with a smirk. “It won’t be long.”
“Fine. Finish the game and then it’s off to bed for you two. Zackary and Mathias, let’s go. It’s getting late.”
The younger boys groaned and protested.
“No pouting,” she warned. “Or you’ll turn in even earlier tomorrow.”
Zackary stood up. “Can’t we wait for Father to return?”
“Yeah,” said Mathias. “We want to know what’s going to happen to the witch.”
Lizbeth’s lips tightened. “He won’t be home until late, I’m sure,” she said, wearily, a troubled look on her face. “You can find out in the morning.”
“Did you ever meet her?” Aiden asked.
Looking at him, she shook her head. “Remember, I didn’t grow up in Syracuse. I grew up in Darylsyle.”
Darylsyle was across the Red Sea and ruled by King Stephen the Third. Angelique had learned that he was Lizbeth’s great uncle.
“How did you and Father meet again?” Mathias asked.
“We met at your father’s inauguration. When he was crowned king of Syracuse,” she replied with a wistful look on her face.
“And it was love at first sight?” Mathias asked.
Her cheeks turned rosy. Lizbeth absently touched the large emerald pendant hanging from her neck and smiled. “For me it was.”
“I bet he fell madly in love with you too, Mother,” Zackary said. “You’re the most beautiful woman in all of Syracuse.”
Chuckling, Lizbeth ruffled his hair and then leaned down and kissed his head. “You’re going to make a fine husband someday, my handsome boy.” She looked at her other sons. “You all are.”
“I’m never getting married,” Zackary replied with a disgusted look on his face.
“Sure you are. You’re going to marry Mariselle,” Griffin teased.
“No, I am,” said Mathias, wagging his thumb at his chest. “Plus, she won’t expect me to kiss her. Yuck.”
Griffin laughed. “One day you’re going to feel a lot differently about kissing girls.”
“And what do you know about that?” Queen Lizbeth asked, her eyes twinkling.
Griffin’s face turned serious. “Nothing… much. I just know that if it was so disgusting, you and Father wouldn’t still be doing it.”
Jealousy burned in Angelique’s stomach at the very idea of Edward kissing Lizbeth. Just thinking about it made her nauseous. Damn Lizbeth for being so beautiful, with her pale blue eyes, light blonde hair, and perfect cheekbones. Unlike Angelique, everything about her screamed aristocrat, from the top of her perfectly coiffed hair to the expensive slippers peeking out of her jeweled plum-colored velvet dress. Not to mention the opulent crown resting on her head and the numerous rings on her fingers. Queen Lizbeth obviously enjoyed the riches her husband lavished upon her, whereas Angelique would have given up all of the gold and jewels in the world for his simply his love alone.
Lizbeth smiled. “That’s because your father is very good at it.”
All of the boys groaned.
Lizbeth chuckled. “If you don’t want to hear any more about our love-life, then I suggest you get ready for bed.
“Fine,” Griffin said, staring down at the board with a victorious smile. “The game is over anyway. Checkmate, little brother.”
Aiden sighed. “I don’t know why I even bother playing this stupid game. You always beat me,” he muttered, pushing away from the table.
“Don’t be a poor-sport,” Lizbeth chided. “Someday you’ll win. You just need to focus and practice more.”
“It’s boring,” Aiden grumbled. “I didn’t even want to play in the first place. That’s really why I lost. If I thought it was worth my time, I would have done much better.”
Lizbeth put her hand on his shoulder. “Son, it is worth your time. Learn as much as you can about the world around you, because you just never know… even something like this might just save your life one day.”
“How could playing chess do that?” he asked scornfully.
“It’s not always about the game itself, but the strategies involved,” she replied and looked at each of the boys “This world is unpredictable. I can almost guarantee that each of you will be backed into corner at least once in your lifetime. Know how to get out of it.”
A maid rushed into the room. “The king is back, Your Majesty. He’s in the Great Hall.”
Lizbeth’s face brightened. “Good.”
“He requests that you all join him,” she added, wringing her hands.
Lizbeth’s eyebrows shot up. “Is there a problem?”
“I’m not sure. The wizard is with him, though, and neither appear to be happy,” she replied, looking uneasy.
4
Mariselle lay silently in bed, waiting for her father to check on her, as he did every night. Normally she would be fast asleep at such an hour, but all she kept thinking about were her kittens out in the barn, and it made her anxious. As much as she wanted to go to them, however, she couldn’t sneak out until her father returned home.
At one point, she dozed off. Fortunately, she heard his footsteps retreating from her bedside and woke back up.