Page 68 of Degradation

“You did not offend me. I’m merely telling you that I am more than either of those things. I am the woman who will do anything to help the princes regain their throne. Even love all of them if that is what they ask of me.”

“We do,” Eadric said.

“In return for giving everything I am to help them free this kingdom from the queen, I ask that you do not judge me harshly for the choices I’ve had to make along the way or for the happiness I’ve found despite the hardships I’ve suffered.”

Her chaotic thoughts slowed as she grasped what I was saying, and she took my hand, her grip firm.

“Forgive me,” she said. “I was wrong to think ill of you.”

“Ill?” Liam echoed softly behind me.

“You will not be the last to think of me so. I do ask that you remind others of all that the princes and I have given in return. I’ve lost my mother. My father. Perhaps even my sister. But I am committed to staying and helping however I can until the queen no longer sits on the throne.”

The woman nodded, and I felt her embarrassment and wish to leave. Her shame for thinking ill of me was just a bit heavier than her thoughts of me lovingallof the princes.

After she left, Eadric led me to the lounge where I sat in Liam’s lap while Eadric fed me bites of a sweet biscuit Margret had delivered. I could feel the weight of their concern.

“Are you upset?” Liam asked finally.

“About Margret’s thoughts of me? No. About everything else? Yes.”

“Even the biscuit?” Eadric asked cheekily.

“Not the biscuit either. It’s one of the fluffiest I’ve had in a long while.” With a pang, I thought of Judith and the sweets she used to make in our kitchen.

“I am well-rested yet so very tired,” I said. “Although I don’t regret meeting all of you, I miss my old life—the simplicity of it.”

Their worry climbed, and I patted Liam’s arm. “None of that, now, or I’ll stop sharing my thoughts. I only meant that I am prepared to face whatever I must for all of this to end, and I look forward to the day I can spend hours lost in a book, learning about spells and casting, with only the interruption requests for affection from the needy men in my life.”

Liam hummed his agreement and kissed the back of my neck.

The door of the sitting room burst open without warning, startling me. Eadric was on his feet in front of me before I could see who it was. I could feel Philip’s tumultuous thoughts and his fear, though.

“Apologies, Your Highness,” he said in a rush. “I received word of a public hanging. All nobles are to attend.”

My heart shattered at one very clear thought, and I stood.

“Pogwid,” I said.

Philip nodded.

Intuition told me I needed to go despite the increasing tingle of warning. Why though?

My mind raced. The spell I’d placed on her would ensure she wouldn’t be able to speak my name and should protect her power, but what of her life? I couldn’t—no, I refused—to hide and allow the queen to take Pogwid’s life. While I knew I lacked the knowledge to face the queen, Pogwid did. Perhaps if I were there, I could lend her more of my energy.

“As your niece, it is right that I should go with you.”

“No,” Liam and Eadric said at the same time.

I turned and set my hand on both of their chests, just over their hearts.

“Forgive me. I am not a woman you can push into a corner. Cherish me, but never again attempt to cage me.”

Eadric groaned. “It was one time.”

I grinned slightly. “One time too many.”

“If you insist, then we will accompany you,” Liam said.

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