Page 44 of Enamored
“The sword holds great sway.”
“Even if the law is changed, the king must approve of the union.” Maxim’s tone remained unruffled. “The king has his heart set against me. He’ll dispute the match of a commoner and royalty and influence the Noble Council to do the same.”
A bitter sickness roiled through my stomach as the information finally took form. Maximwasplanning to free the sword, feign worthiness, and change the law—the one prohibiting royalty from marrying commoners. No doubt he believed by winning my affection, I would champion the change of the law, too, so we could be together.
I’d believed he genuinely cared about me, that I was his everything as he’d claimed. But all along he’d been collaborating with Rasmus to gain my love so that, ultimately, he could take the throne.
“You will have no need to worry about opposition from the king.” Rasmus’s voice dropped a notch, almost so low I missed his statement. “The danger in battle shall be grave indeed.”
I cupped a hand over my mouth as horror raced through my blood, turning it to ice. Rasmus was insinuating that the king would soon face death in battle. From within or without the ranks of his army, I did not know. But one thing was certain. I’d uncovered a plot to murder the king. And the man I’d thought was my best friend, a man I’d quickly developed affection for, was involved.
A trembling began inside and worked into my limbs. Within seconds I was shaking with enough force I was afraid I might collapse in the passageway in front of Rasmus’s door. Then when Maxim exited, he’d find me there and realize I’d overheard their plans.
I had to go. Had to get away from this part of the castle. Had to act like nothing was amiss when it seemed my entire world had suddenly come crashing down upon me.
I retreated from the door as silently as I’d come. My bare footsteps hardly seemed to touch the floor as I flew down the passageway. By the time I reached my chambers, I knew what I had to do.
Chapter
15
Maxim
Rasmus’s schemes wereworse than I’d believed possible.
As I stood near his desk, the darkness of the rainy day slithered around me, invading my soul and threatening to overwhelm the flickers of hope still burning there.
Everything Rasmus had just revealed had been systematically laid out in a careful progression, one statement upon another like the building of a pyramid, until he’d added the capstone—the revelation that he planned for the king to face demise in battle. Was that why he’d insisted the king go into battle against Canute? Perhaps he’d influenced the other Sages to agree with him, so unbeknownst to them they were sending the king to his death.
If I raised charges of treason against Rasmus, he could easily deflect accusations. He’d left no trail of evidence that could incriminate him. Rather, it would point to me as the one making plans to become the next king. In the end, ’twould be my word against his.
I didn’t need to ponder long to know everyone would believe Rasmus and shun me. Especially once word spread about my offer to marry the princess when we’d been but children. Rasmus would lead everyone to believe I’d always had aspirations for the throne and that’s why the king had sent me away in the first place.
From the calculated glint in Rasmus’s eyes as he studied the scroll upon his desk, I could almost believe he’d planned my leaving Vordinberg those many years ago. Perhaps he’d instructed the tutor to stir Elinor’s young emotions over the courtship issue, then encouraged the king to send me away, intending to use my mistake later to control me.
I struggled hard to keep my expression from revealing the disgust and frustration rioting within me. I’d come into Rasmus’s chambers to inform him I could no longer deceive the princess, nor could I free the sword. But somehow, over the past few minutes, instead of freeing myself from his web of deceit I was firmly wrapped into it like a fly in spider silk.
My muscles tightened, cutting off my breath. I had to find a way out of his trap. Surely I could analyze every angle of his plot and find a crack. But until then, I had to convince Rasmus I was his willing pawn.
The light coming from the stub of wax left in the candleholder revealed more of the ancient cuneiform on the parchment spread out before him, a piece of the ancient writing likely giving away more secrets of the Sword of the Magi.
Over the past two hours of studying the scroll Rasmus’s scribe had delivered to me, I’d finally uncovered the method of freeing the sword from its case. The severing of the bond required sacrifice by blood, although exactly how, I didn’t know.
Rasmus ignored me, likely sensing my inner turmoil and giving me time to accept my fate. But I wouldn’t, no matter how long he made me wait.
After precisely one hour, he broke the silence. “Fourteen days.”
The inner workings of my brain began to spin, calculating fourteen days. A fortnight would give the chieftains time to receive and reply to their missives regarding changing the law. A fortnight would also provide enough time for the fight with Canute to commence and for the king to face mortal danger.
“Having needed only two days to entice the princess to kiss you,” Rasmus said, “you will have no trouble convincing her to marry you in fortnight.”
Though I’d suspected word about my kiss would get back to Rasmus, I’d wanted to keep it private, sacred, cherished. But with Rasmus, my life was an open scroll, a blank story he was determined to author.
Words of protest pressed for release. But I had to keep Rasmus from learning of my objections to every part of his plan if I had any hope of thwarting him. With the great reservation I’d developed during my past interactions, I simply bowed my head.
“You are dismissed.” He flicked his hand.
I measured my steps to the door with caution, not wanting to give Rasmus the satisfaction of knowing just how eager I was to leave his presence. Once the door closed behind me, I continued with the same pace and kept my head and shoulders straight even as my emotions raged within me.
