Page 108 of Charmless
I started to retort, but what could I say? It was true. My best friend lay unconscious, perhaps dying only yards away from me, all because of the insane jealousy I had inspired in this treacherous prince. That was bad enough but by allowing Horatio and Ryland to help in my mad scheme to save Mal, I had doomed them as well.
For a moment, I was overcome with a sense of guilt and the hopelessness of the situation. But I forced my shoulders back as I stepped forward to confront Florian.
“You are exactly right. I am a witch.Andwithout a license.”
This admission elicited a gasp from Smedley.
I raised my hands, hooking my fingers into claws, trying to emulate Delphine when she threatened to cast a spell.
“You all saw what I can do, making my head disappear, conjuring a mist out of thin air. Back off and let us go before I turn you all into slugs.”
I must have sounded fierce and convincing enough because the men surrounding us took a wary step back. Even the Chief Warder twitched with apprehension.
But, although he was vain and vicious, Florian was not stupid. Well, not entirely. He folded his arms and dared me, “Go ahead. Do it, then.”
“I will. I really mean it.” I waved my arms muttering meaningless incantations.
Smedley whimpered and fled back toward the prison. I prayed that the rest would follow, but Florian commanded, “Stay where you are, idiots. If she had any such power, she would have already used it.”
The prince’s words carried more weight than my useless babble. As the guards closed in on us again, I lowered my arms. Florian snapped his fingers at the head of the prison guards. “Chief Warder. Arrest all the three of these men and my betrothed! Chain them in your deepest, darkest dungeon.”
The Chief Warder licked his lips nervously and faltered, “Even your own brother?”
Florian glared at Ryland. “Especially him.”
“No, wait,” I cried, making one last attempt to save my companions. “I am the only one who should be punished. I enchanted the Commander and Prince Ryland. I forced them to?—”
“That is not true,” Horatio interrupted. “This escape plan was entirely mine. Ella is innocent.”
“No, it was all my idea,” Ryland said.
“Shut up! All of you. You will all pay the price for this treachery.” Florian shouted. “Warder, carry out my order or I’ll haveyouclapped in irons.”
I braced myself to be seized but I was more terrified for Horatio and Ryland. They were unarmed, but they looked ready to fight to the death to protect me.
One of the prince’s men took a step in Horatio’s direction but froze beneath Horatio’s steely gaze. Not only did my beloved present a formidable figure, but he commanded a certain respectfrom most of the kingdom’s scutcheons, even the palace guard. As for Ryland, no one appeared eager to be the first to lay hands on a member of the royal family.
“Are all you all deaf?” Florian howled. “Arrest them!”
“Ignore that order,” Horatio said. “You all know that the prince has no authority to issue such a command. Only the king can?—”
“Iamthe king.”
Florian’s assertion was met by a stunned silence.
“Or I soon will be. The royal physician has declared my father will be dead by morning.” Florian did not bother summoning his usual fake tears. His voice vibrated with satisfaction.
But Ryland cried, “No! If that is true, it is because you have killed him.”
Florian looked startled by the accusation, but he rallied. With a forced laugh, he addressed the warder and the men surrounding us. “My poor bewitched brother appears to have run completely mad.”
“You are the one who is mad if you think you can get away with this. You have been poisoning our father since he fell ill on the night of the ball.”
I smothered a gasp. I had thought much the same thing, but it still came as a shock to hear my suspicions verified.
Florian attempted another sneering laugh, but Ryland’s accusation sent an uneasy murmur through the assembled men. The Chief Warder appeared taken aback.
Florian ground his teeth and his hand dropped to the hilt of his sword. “Hold your tongue, brother. Any more of your insane lies and you’ll lose more than your hand this time.”
