Page 98 of The Huntsman's Heart
He steps closer until he’s close enough to hold me, but he only waits. “Who could not? Your father was a good man, and you are his daughter. They see the princess who would deny her claim out of care for her people.”
“I belong in the woods.”
“And I will follow you wherever you go, but stay at least a while. Consider what they ask.”
My lip trembles and the bite of sadness stings my eyes. “I’m scared,” I tell him.
“What are you afraid of?”
“Of becoming like her. Or worse.”
He pulls me into his arms then and tears fall onto his solid chest.
“You could never be like her. Never.”
“Promise?”
“Would I have given you my heart otherwise?”
I’m silent after that. He just holds me until I pull away. “Could you bear to stay?”
“Princess, I would do anything you asked of me. You know that.”
“Do you think the others would stay?” I’m suddenly very anxious, thinking about their reaction.
Alaric only laughs. “Princess, if you have any doubts they would follow you to the ends of the earth, you don’t know them as well as I think.”
I let out the breath that’s crept up to form a tight knot in my chest. “Come on. There is one more problem to deal with.”
After I return to the hall I order Melantha removed while I confer with the nobles. When we’ve reached a decision, I have her brought back to stand before me.
The nerves I felt before evaporate when I sit on my father’s throne and look down at Melantha. My frown hardens. “I haveconsidered how to kill you for so long I think I must have imagined all the ways. Leaving you for the monsters in the forest, burning you like you did to me, but in the end, I think that would be too kind. So I have decided to let you live.”
I see the look of realization spread over her expression, but she lifts her chin. “What is the price?”
I smile. “There is always a price, is there not? But do not worry. The cost is not too steep. You will live here in the palace under guard. You will even be fed. You will eat what the townsfolk had to eat under your rule. Of course, there might be some days where you go hungry. But you will be too busy to notice because you will be put to work in the kitchens making food for others. Every night you will prepare food and mend clothing for the poor. We will dress the people in the clothes you had made for yourself. And perhaps you will learn some compassion.”
“You cannot be serious?” She yanks at her chains. “Kill me now. It would be more merciful. I will die soon anyway and you know it.”
I turn away. “A quick death is too good for you.”
The guard leads her away still protesting, but she is ignored by the nobles, all of whom watch as I cast my gaze over each in turn. “Do you still want me as queen?”
Lord Gruyer looks around at the others and then back to me with a nod. “We do, Your Highness.”
A sick feeling in my belly overtakes me and I press my hand there, focused on keeping my back straight. “Even though you know what I am?”
The lords say nothing. My restless feet, unable to keep still, stride forward until I’m pacing. “I will not be like any queen or king we’ve ever had before. I will not take a husband.” I glance at Alaric. “I will not make a political match anyway. I have lovers. I will not give them up.”
If I thought this would shock them, the reaction I get is surprisingly little.
Lady Leina shifts in her seat. “A queen’s private business is her own.”
The others look around at her with raised brows.
“What? Can any of us say we don’t have our own… dalliances?”
The silence stretches on until I start pacing again. “I can never have children.”
