Page 65 of The Prince's Curse

His thoughts returned to Haldric, picturing his smiling face, and Benjin bowed his head. Perhaps everythingwouldwork out for the best. But he couldn’t do that to Haldric…couldn’t strip him of that choice.

Dexil must’ve read the decision on Benjin’s face because he heaved a disappointed sigh. “Watching you stand up to the prince the way you did…I hoped you were better than this, Benjin. I truly thought you had the vision to help me.”

Feigning a calm he didn’t feel, Benjin raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, well, we all make mistakes. So, what now? Are you going to kill me, too? Erase my memories?”

Benjin’s pulse quickened as Dexil seemed to consider the proposition, only a fraction of his tension easing when Dexil shook his head. “No need.”

The Grand Magus’ fingers skirted over a section of his workstation. Glowing chains sprang into existence around Benjin, binding his arms and legs tight against his sides. Within seconds, he’d been restrained and rendered helpless. He hadn’t even had a chance to channel his runeflame.

“All I have to do is keep you locked away until I’ve enacted my plan,” Dexil said, striding over.

Benjin struggled against his bonds, but they were too tight. While he managed to draw upon his runeflame, he couldn’t direct it without the proper gestures.

“You don’t think the prince or anyone else will miss me?” he demanded, continuing his futile struggle.

Dexil paused in front of Benjin to regard him. “Of course they will. But no one will question it when I claim I sent you on some errand. With how his condition has worsened, Roland can’t have that long left.” He gave Benjin a sympathetic look that only made Benjin fight harder to free himself. “I know confinement for that long won’t be…pleasant. But trust me, when it’s all said and done, you’ll realize it was for the best.”

With a wave of his hand and a muttered incantation, Dexil levitated Benjin and sent him floating across the room, magical chains and all.

“Don’t do this,” Benjin begged. “Please. It’s not too late for you to reconsider. I know Haldric. He’ll listen to your concerns, do all he can to help the people. He’ll make a good king!”

Dexil brought Benjin to a halt before an unassuming cabinet. Benjin’s stomach sank. He’d drawn ingredients from it enough times to recognize the extradimensional space, its interior enlarged via a spatial Alteration. That must be where the Grand Magus intended to stash him.

“Perhaps he would,” Dexil said, his voice tinged with regret. “But I’d prefer not to take that chance.”

Benjin let out one last defiant shout as Dexil levitated him into the cabinet, set him down in the enlarged space, and slid the cabinet door firmly shut.

twenty-four

Haldric

Haldric missed Benjin theinstant he was gone. Goddess’ mercy, he wished he could have asked that Benjin stay and keep him company while he spoke with his father. But he’d already been more brazen than he should have by bringing Benjin this far in open defiance of his aunt. His father never would have let him get away with it—not without demanding an explanation.

And what could he have said?

Sorry, Father, but I need Benjin here with me. Why? Because I’m in love with him. What about Lady Katalin? Oh, well, that’s easy. I have no Void-cursed idea.

Clenching his jaw, Haldric tried to calm his restless thoughts as his father’s hand clutched weakly at his own. “How was your trip?”

Haldric decided against mentioning the ambush. The last thing his father needed right now were more reasons to worry. Haldric would tell him later once he’d recovered.

Ifhe recovers…

“Productive,” he said. “Despite a few…challenges.”

To his relief, his father didn’t press the way he usually would have. Instead, he gave Haldric an absent smile. “Good. That’s good. And Lady Katalin? Did our plan work?”

Our plan…

As though any part of this alliance had been Haldric’s idea. Yet, he hadn’t fought against it, had he? How could he not claim partial responsibility when he’d carried the task out willingly.

Haldric thought of Benjin, and for a single shining moment, considered telling his father the truth. That he loved someone else. That while he appreciated the need for allies, he had no desire to marry Katalin. That he wanted to call the entire thing off, find some other way to hold Ilthabard together.

But gazing into his father’s wan, hopeful face, he knew there was only one thing he could say.

Swallowing, he nodded. “It did. Nothing is set in stone yet,” he hastened to add. “But it’s clear that Lord and Lady Galax are invested in the union, as is Katalin herself. Things seem…promising.”

A heavy stone sank in his gut as his father’s smile widened. “I’m glad.” He shifted in his bed with a grimace, resting his head back against his pillow and closing his eyes. “I don’t have much time left now. Soon, the weight of this crown will fall to you. It warms my heart to know you’ll be well positioned ere I’m gone.”

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