Page 86 of Polestar
Elias nodded.
“I see.”
“She said you had spies sneaking around Barentia and that you would push Grandfather to give up the throne so you could have it.She said you were cold and calculating.That you were abusive during your marriage and would be again, should you be allowed to return.”
“She said I was abusive?”Magnus gaped, then laughed.
“What’s so funny?”Elias demanded.“There’s nothing amusing about abusing your wife.”
“No, Elias, there isn’t.And I wasn’t.”
Elias glared at him imperiously.“Explain.I want the truth.I’m tired of everyone hiding everything from me.I’m not a child anymore.”
Magnus considered this.
“No, you’re not.And I saw that my fath—the king is very ill.You may ascend much sooner than I could have ever imagined.”
“The truth.About mother.”
“I never abused your mother.She would lose her temper and injure herself while striking me.”
“You pushed her to it.”
“No.I simply did not rise to her impulsive, unrealistic demands.I would not cooperate, and she would frustrate herself.”
After a few moments considering this, Elias nodded.
He isn’t blind.Thank the Gods.
Should I ask?
Magnus swallowed, chewing over the words.
“What happened to your grandfather?How long has he been ill?”
“I-I don’t know.I don’t know what’s happening.”
“Hasn’t the shaman been able to do anything to help him?”
“The shaman is dead.”
Magnus’ heart skipped.“Dead?And no one has replaced him to ensure the king’s strength?”
Elias shook his head.“Do you think Havard has something to do with it?Do you think he’s betrayed us?”
“Why would you think so?”Magnus straightened his spine, mind racing.
The boy shrugged.“He’s been… different.Different since Grandfather became ill.”
“Do you know where your mother went?”Magnus said, bringing the conversation back to Ulla.
“No.Maybe.”
“And she went with Havard and the other guards?”
“No, she went with Yvan.”
“Yvan?Yvan Gorbinson, the stonemason?”
