Page 77 of Besotted
I hoped the soldiers would see reason, would realize Margery could no longer be their queen. They had no loyalty to so cruel a queen, did they? “Choose this day peace between Mercia and Warwick forevermore. If you do, I shall return to Mercia with no thought of taking Warwick for myself the way Queen Margery has always envied Mercia. I shall even allow you your own king. Prince Ethelbard will take over ruling the country in his mother’s stead, and she will be locked away where she can do no more harm for the rest of her days.”
Several of the guards lowered their weapons. I waited for more to do so, the silence stretching.
Suddenly, a clicking and creaking rent the night air. The soldiers glanced around trying to place the noise before realizing, as I did, that it was coming from the chains lowering the drawbridge.
Ruby had done it. I let some of the tension ease from my body, knowing we may still have a bloody battle ahead if the soldiers continued to resist surrendering.
The closest guards bounded toward the tower, likely intent upon keeping the bridge from falling in its entirety.
But it was too late. The momentum downward went much too quickly, and the bridge landed upon the opposite side of the ditch with a bang that reverberated and cracked the beams. Some pieces fell into the pit below, but regardless of its sturdiness, those on the opposite side charged across with the cries of battle.
As they spilled into the courtyard, Queen Margery’s soldiers must have realized they were defeated. While several lifted swords to engage in fighting, the rest lowered themselves to their knees and placed their weapons in front of them in the symbol of surrender.
My heart swelled as I watched our troops stand back and cease their fighting, thankful that we’d come to a peaceful resolution.
I was surprised at how many soldiers continued to cross the drawbridge and pour into the courtyard. With numerous blazing torches lighting up the complex, I caught sight of Pearl hugging Ruby, swaying back and forth, both of them crying. And I was glad for their reunion, wishing Pearl could become Warwick’s next ruler instead of Ethelbard. But I would only anger Warwick if I attempted to usurp their tradition of primogeniture going to the oldest son instead of the oldest child.
Behind Pearl, I caught a glimpse of two warrior-like men with the same broad shoulders and tall build as Kresten. I guessed they were his brothers, the other princes of Scania who’d come to the Great Isle for their Testing. They were all handsome men with a strong family resemblance.
What would they say when they learned their brother had sacrificed his life so everyone else could have freedom?
Ill and overcome at the thought of losing Kresten, I grabbed Jorg’s arm. “Take me to Kresten. Please.”
Jorg nodded, his expression grave. After whispered words with Chester, he led me back into the complex, but not without several of Chester’s guards accompanying us. As we reached the chapel, we found Kresten lying where we’d left him, unmoving. I rushed inside, my heart thudding a misery I hadn’t allowed myself to feel until this moment.
I dropped to my knees beside him and did what I’d longed to do since the instant he fell. I threw myself over him and let silent tears wet his cloak. Beneath my cheek, I could hear the soft thud of his heartbeat and feel the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
He was still alive.
But if Chester was correct about the slumber of death, then Kresten would remain asleep forever, until he died.
I held him at length, until I became conscious that others were in the room. I straightened from him, seeing first Pearl and Ruby kneeling on the opposite side of Kresten. Pearl’s expression was somber as she reached for my hand and squeezed it. Ruby did likewise.
“I am truly sorry,” Pearl said softly. “I know your loss is great. But Prince Kresten is a hero for his sacrifice.”
I nodded and wiped the moisture from my cheeks. At the sight of Kresten’s brothers nearby, I stood and walked toward them with as much dignity as I could. Upon reaching them, they both bowed, kissed my hand, and introduced themselves.
“He saved my life,” I said, “and in destroying the white stone, I believe he saved many more people from experiencing heartache.”
“I believe this as well.” Prince Mikkel, the brother with the fairer hair had a leader’s authority about him. He was Pearl’s husband, and they made a handsome pair.
“If it pleases you,” Prince Vilmar said with a sad smile, “we shall make him comfortable for the duration of our stay here while we make arrangements for his transport back to Scania.”
I wanted to deny his request, but to do so would be foolish. I needed to return to Mercia and take my place at court as queen. Erelong, I would wed the man chosen for me. And I couldn’t delay simply because I was brokenhearted.
Kresten had shown us all that we must oft do hard things—even impossible things. If I would be a queen worthy of Mercia’s throne, then I must do this hard—impossible—thing and let him go so his family could care for him as they rightly should and so I could get on with my life as queen as I rightly should.
Chapter
28
Aurora
“We must go, Your Majesty,” Chester said from the doorway of Kresten’s chamber.
I’d hardly moved from the chair beside his bed over the past two days since he’d destroyed the stone and we’d captured Queen Margery.
Even now, I clasped his hand, unwilling to part ways. Vilmar and his bride, Gabriella, planned to travel with Kresten and attend to him. They would take Kresten south to the closest river, and from there they would go by boat to the East Sea before they sailed to Scania.
