Page 38 of Reign of Wicked Temptation

Henry sat up and took a deep drink. He grimaced at the taste but consumed it without question. “My thanks.”

“Both of you will need some rest if we are to venture into the lion’s den.” She gestured to the grass. “Sleep. I shall keep watch.”

“Do we have a plan?” Henry glanced at Crispin. “We cannot just walk up to the gate and demand entry. Francis will have planted his lies already and put the guards on watch for any that may be loyal to Crispin.”

“He has done as much already.” Marian sighed. “You both have been branded traitors to the crown. My little mouse inside the castle informed me earlier.”

Crispin smiled. Of course, she would have eyes and ears inside the castle. Marian was truly a resourceful woman. His admiration for her grew with every revelation.

Henry threw his hands up. “Then how the devil do we gain entry if no one will listen to reason?”

“Oh, they will listen.” Crispin stroked his hand along his jaw. “Once we locate Ruby, we will make them see reason.”

“And how do you intend to breach the walls?” Henry pressed his lips together.

“Trust me.” He gave his friend a firm pat on the shoulder. “We will have Ruby and be gone before anyone realizes it.”

Henry collapsed against the grass. “Trust is not the issue. But you are daft if you think we can find a way past the guards. I trained them myself. There is no way anyone is getting through.”

Crispin and Marian exchanged a long look before she nodded.

“Sleep. I shall wake you in a few hours.” Marian took watch beside them.

As he settled into the grass beside Henry, Crispin fought against the apprehension building in his chest. ’Twould be simple to snatch Ruby from Francis’s hold and escape without notice. But deep in the pit of his stomach, he knew his conscience would never allow him to find peace if he did not interject on behalf of the people of Meradin.

Ruby was not the only one in danger. They all were. Francis would not be complacent with being king, he would be a tyrant. And Crispin could not allow his kingdom to fall to ruin at the hands of such a villain. But if he killed his brother, he would create a martyr and become the criminal everyone believed him to be.

Perhaps it would be wiser to run and leave Meradin forever, but could he subject Ruby to a life in exile as a wanted criminal? Either way, a battle lay on the horizon, and for once his fears lay not for himself but those he loved.

Chapter Seventeen

“The bruises are fading, my queen.” Mina’s innocent comment left Ruby unsteady.

She nodded as the young maid aided her in donning the heavy blue velvet gown trimmed with ermine fur. ’Twould keep her warm, but she loathed anything Francis chose for her.

Having returned to the castle, she allowed her mind to tuck aside the horrible events of the past fortnight. It would not do to dwell on them while Francis still held sway over the kingdom. Over the past several nights, she watched him methodically taint every aspect of life inside the keep.

His instructions for her clothing and her daily routine burrowed beneath her skin, but ’twas his demand she surrender all her weapons which left her bitter. He insisted with grand statements it would ensure her safety. She attempted to hide a dagger in her chamber, but he searched it thoroughly and found the blade stashed beneath the frame of her bed.

The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air. He would kill Crispin and Henry if she should cross him. Even mentioning them or the details of her ordeal would earn her a harsh punishment. He also restricted her time with Vivienne. Of course, he spun a tale of how she required rest to recover after such a harrowing experience.

In the few moments she spent with Vivienne, Ruby saw the tension bracketing her mouth, knowing she held her tongue. How could she speak out against one of her sons when the other was branded a traitor? Ruby longed to comfort her with the truth, but it would shatter the illusion of her elder son. There would be no easy way to address such a conundrum.

If only she had her mother to give her guidance, something to ease the painful twisting unease in her chest. She smoothed her hand over the soft skirts as Mina laced the gown.

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