The Emerald Prince (16 page)

Authors: Kayci Morgan

But then Elliot thought of the cost. Blaine would have killed him, the king would still be under a spell, Victoria and her fiancé would have been executed. Of course Blaine would sacrifice himself before allowing that to happen. He was a good man. And that’s what good men do.

Elliot sat on the edge of the bed and took Blaine’s hand in his own. He kissed his forehead.

The door opened and Elliot became excited, thinking the High Priestess had finally arrived, but Victoria stepped through with ratted hair and the same torn dress she had been wearing in the dungeon.

Marla, who had been standing quietly in the corner, knelt before Victoria and raised her sword above her head. “I have broken all my vows. I have betrayed your trust. I beg that you end my wretched life.”

Victoria lifted Marla’s chin. “You were under the spell of a witch. There is nothing to forgive. I’m just glad to have you back.”

Marla ran from the room without another word.

Victoria started after her but then turned back to Blaine. “How is he?”

“He’s alive. But barely. The healer is on her way.”

Victoria rested a hand on her brother’s shoulder. “Thank you. Thank you both.”

Once again the door opened. This time the High Priestess poked her head in. “I was told I’m needed?”

Elliot gestured for her to join them. “Yes. Blaine is injured. I was wondering do you have the ability to…can you heal him?”

“I can try. The power belongs to Arye, not I. Only she can decide to give him his life.”

“Do everything you can,” Elliot pleaded.

The priestess placed her palms against Blaine’s chest and began to pray. A moment later, Blaine started flopping in bed like a fish snatched from the water. Elliot and Lord Rynden locked eyes, both wondering if she was helping or killing him.

Before Elliot could decide what to do, Blaine’s body went limp. “Is he…” Elliot couldn’t bring himself to say the words.

“He’s alive. Arye has granted your prayer. He will live.”

Elliot sighed in relief and collapsed on Blaine’s chest, relishing the steady beat of the knight’s heart.

The king entered the room. “Will he live?”

“The High Priestess says he’ll be fine.” Victoria answered.

The king swept his daughter up in a tight embrace, lifting her off the ground. “I am so sorry. I want you to know if I could have stopped her, I would have never…I am so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?”

“Depends,” Victoria replied.

The king sat his daughter back on her feet. “What does it depend on?”

“It depends on if you support my marriage to Lorr or not.”

“You want to marry a slave?” the king yelled.

“Well father, since slavery is illegal in Entia, he’s not a slave. Isn’t that right?” Her tone almost dared the king to disagree, to admit he’d been allowing Entian nobles to keep slaves, to state outright one of the hypocrisies of his reign.

“Yes, of course.” The king reached out and shook Lorr’s hand. “Welcome to the family.”

Elliot wondered if Victoria had somehow managed to steal Zariya’s powers.

Blaine’s eyes fluttered open, and he smiled up at Elliot.

“Welcome back, husband,” said the prince.

Blaine’s smile widened at Elliot’s words.

The king patted Elliot on the back. “You saved us all.”

Elliot pointed to Blaine. “I believe the one that jumped off a balcony saved us all.”

“Well yes. I know. I just meant that today you proved you will someday make a fine king.”

Elliot stared into Blaine’s eyes, it only took a nod from the knight for Elliot to finally say it. “I abdicate.”

“What do you mean you abdicate?” asked Victoria. “You’re the only heir, you can’t abdicate.”

“You will make a far better ruler than I ever will. You care about the rule of law and what’s best for the kingdom. I just want to be free and happy, and I can’t do that here, not with people trying to kill me all the time and my every step being measured against how kingly it is.”

The king stepped closer. “Look at all you’ve done today. You’ll make an excellent king. Just because your sister sometimes puts you down doesn’t mean…”

“It’s not that I can’t do the job. I don’t want to. The one thing my trip to Storm’s Edge has taught me is how little I know about the world outside of this palace.”

Victoria put her hands on her hips. “If you don’t want to be king. What do you want to do?”

Elliot watched Blaine’s face for confirmation before answering. “Everything, but starting with the governorship of our Fezam colonies. Blaine and I could do a lot of good there, and I want to see the world.”

Blaine reached up and brushed a lock of hair out of Elliot’s eyes. “And I want to show it to you.”

Chapter Thirty One

Victoria stared at Zariya through the iron bars. The witch’s dark hair hung over her dirty face. She was chained to the wall by her wrists and throat. “Have you come to gloat again?”

“Now why would I come to gloat? After all, everything is for the best, now. You must be able to see that. Everything is exactly as it should be, and there is nothing you can do to change that,” Victoria said in the same belittling tone Zariya had used with her earlier.

“Why are you here?”

“I’ve come to let you know it’s finally been decided what to do with you.”

“And what’s that?”

“Three days from now, you will be tied to a stake and burned alive.”

Zariya laughed manically. “Real witches don’t burn.”

Victoria turned on her heels and headed back upstairs. She had looked forward to giving Zariya the news of her execution. A chance to gloat the way Zariya had when it was Victoria who was cornered. But the witch’s response chilled her to the bone. She got no satisfaction from it.

Zariya had cost her so much. Even though Marla knew that what she did was beyond her powers, she couldn’t forgive herself for her betrayal. Now she was gone, and Victoria missed her dear friend terribly.

A young page ran up to Victoria and handed her a folded piece of paper. “His Highness asked me to give this to you as soon as his ship left.”

Victoria nervously unfolded the paper and began to read:

My Dearest Sister,

Please don’t be angry, but I ordered the army back north and gave Storm’s Edge to the Ghas. In return, they’ve promised to swear their allegiance to the crown. I only did this because I think it’ll have the most benefit to our house. Could you do me a favor and inform father before the army returns?

Love,

Elliot

The princess stepped out onto one of the balcony’s overlooking the sea. She balled up the letter and tossed it into the water. One diplomatic mission and he not only gives away part of the kingdom, he informs the king as an afterthought. Her brother’s ship had just set sail, and she could see it making its way out to sea. If she jumped now, maybe she could swim out and catch him.

Arms wrapped around her waist, hugging her tightly. “Wife,” Lorr whispered softly in her ear.

Victoria smiled, relaxing against her husband’s chest. “You say
wife
the same way you used to say
Mistress
.”

She could feel Lorr shrugging behind her. “Different word. Same meaning.”

All she could do was laugh. “Do you think they’ll be okay?” she asked, staring out at the ship.

“They’ll be fine. Marla will take good care of them.”

Victoria watched in silence as the ship vanished over the horizon.
May the gods protect them.

Dedication

I’d like to dedicate this book to my mother, not only for believing in me, but also for teaching me to believe in myself.

About the Author

Kayci Morgan has had a passion for romance and fantasy for as long as she can remember. She lives in Chicago with her family. In her cozy apartment, she spends endless nights tapping away at her keyboard and playing computer games unheard of by normal people. Her English Literature degree serves as a superb coaster for her 20oz mug of coffee. Follow her sleep deprived ramblings at her website:
http://www.kaycimorgan.com

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/kcmwriter

Twitter:
@kaycimorgan

Other Works by Kayci Morgan

Scott and Scamp

When a young man is rescued by a delinquent, he falls in love, risking everything to walk in this bad boy's world.

Games We Play

When a gay rights activist is assigned to the same dorm room as a devout Christian, he prepares for a year of hell, but much to his surprise, he and his new roommate have more in common than either of them could have imagined.

Dragoste Academy: Bayne and Lucas

When a lecherous werewolf falls for an aloof nymph, he pursues the dryad's affections, only to realize his persistence may be killing it.

Dragoste Academy: Chad and Sekou

When a lonely ghost fights with the shaman he has a crush on, he finds himself cursed. Isolated from the world, he must battle his inner demons to rid himself of the curse and possibly win his shaman's affections.

Dragoste Academy: Art and Nicolai

Thirsting for vengeance, a jealous Illusionist plots to kill his former lover, but first he must get past an ancient vampire with thirsts of his own.

The Meetup

A reclusive romance writer is shocked to discover the devoted fan he invited over to his place isn't a woman.

Pillaged

When a young hunter finds his sister has been kidnapped by marauders, he heads out to rescue her only to get captured himself. Tormented and toyed with by a group of sexual sadists, how will a young man hold on to his sanity long enough to escape?

Seized by a Mercenary

When a mercenary takes a captured nobleman home as a slave, he finds love blossoming; only to learn he must trade it for his indentured sister's freedom.

Four of a Kind

Erotic Poly Romance. Passion and love drive four people together over the course of a decade and together they shape their own kind of family.

Enthralled

When a young vampire picks up a first time prostitute, both get more than they were expecting.

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Table of Contents

Chapter One