Page 63 of Polestar
“As am I,” Magnus smiled at his son, letting all his barriers melt away.A true, open smile.
The footsteps stopped.“Elias, I forbade you from coming here today,” the woman’s voice snapped through the room.
Elias stiffened.
Magnus’ smile disappeared before he slowly turned around to face her.
“Ulla.”
Ana looked from Magnus to Ulla’s barely suppressed triumphant expression.
Her heart dropped.
This can’t be good.
Her gaze met the apology in Magnus’ eyes.
She slowly closed her eyes, resolved, and returned his gaze.
I trust you.
His face tightened, but he locked his feelings down before they gave him away.
Regret.
“Elias, you are to remain in your room until I decide your punishment,” Ulla’s hard voice made the boy flinch.
He said nothing to his mother.
His expression full of longing as he spared Magnus a last glance, he strode out of the library through the main door at the far end, rather than squeeze through everyone gathered here.
Poor kid.
Ulla ignored Ana, walking up to Magnus.“The banished are forbidden to speak to anyone in Barentia without official cause.Especially the royal family.I charge you with treason for attempting to influence the true heir of the realm.”
Satisfaction roiled off of her like a heavy perfume.
Ana’s fingers curled into a fist, as she wanted nothing more than to punch the woman in the face.Twice.No, twice wasn’t even enough.
Ulla had used the prince to entrap Magnus.
Of course, Elias would defy her order to see his long-lost father.Possibly a once in a lifetime chance.What youth wouldn’t rebel against an order like that?
They’d both expected it—Elias and Magnus.Both accepted the risks.
Did Elias understand the magnitude of the risk for Magnus?
Ana didn’t think so.
“Lock these two up separately until I decide what to do with them,” Ulla said to the guards and walked out.
Rage ripped through Ana.She shook with it.Struggled to control it.
It wasn’t Magnus’ feelings.
They were her own.
She’d never ever felt that about anyone in her life before.
