Dark Moon Fourth Arc (Thorns of The Black Throne) - 544. The Plan III

Fourth Arc (Thorns of The Black Throne) - 544. The Plan III

There was a pause. Then Jane's eyes widened.

Roric looked between them. "Wait. Interested in what way?"

Angel stared at him.

Roric stared back. Then understanding arrived. His face twisted. "Oh, for the love of..."

"Exactly."

"She's married to my father! And you're married!"

"Very happily."

Jane pressed her fingers against her lips. Her shoulders trembled.

Roric looked genuinely ill.

Angel continued with the calmness of a man discussing unfavorable weather. "Your stepmother has been attempting to attract my attention since the banquet. Unfortunately for her, I have excellent eyesight, functioning instincts, and a wife who is considerably more entertaining."

Jane finally laughed.

Roric dragged a hand down his face. "She's trying to seduce you?"

"Among other things."

"Does Queen Rose know?"

Angel gave him a look. "Who do you think helped me dodge her?"

Jane's laughter grew louder.

Roric closed his eyes. His stepmother had poisoned him, manipulated his father, nearly destroyed his sister, and was apparently trying to steal the neighboring king.

Was there anything that woman did not want?

Angel seemed to read the question on his face. "Ambition isn't inherently bad, Prince Roric. I encourage it among my officials." He smiled. "The problem begins when someone mistakes ambition for permission to take whatever they want. Your stepmother wants power. She wants control. And she seems convinced that whatever she senses in me belongs within her reach."

Roric looked at him carefully. "And does it?"

Angel's smile vanished. "No."

One word.

Absolute.

Jane felt the temperature in the room shift slightly.

Angel continued, "She can investigate my kingdom, study my reputation, or admire me from a respectable distance. I don't particularly care." His eyes darkened. "But if she touches my wife, she will discover that there are considerably worse things than losing a throne."

Silence settled over the room.

Roric suddenly understood something important.

Angel was not threatening Seraphine to impress them. He was simply describing a consequence. Like a physician explaining what happened when someone swallowed poison.

Roric looked toward the door.  "What about Queen Rose? Where is she?"

"Watching the situation at the castle," Angel answered. "Someone needs to make sure your stepmother doesn't decide to investigate my chamber while I'm entertaining her stepson."

Roric frowned."Doesn't that put her in danger?"

Angel smiled again. This time, there was genuine amusement. "Rose?"

The way he said her name made Roric hesitate.

Angel leaned against the table. “Prince Roric, my wife once waited for me in the bathroom with every intention of killing me after I conquered her kingdom.”

Jane blinked. "She did? And you weren't angry?"

"I married her."

That answer apparently explained everything.

Angel's expression softened for the briefest moment. "Besides, Seraphine isn't the only woman in Pontus capable of making someone regret accepting a cup of tea."

Jane laughed again. Even Roric managed a reluctant smile. But the amusement faded as quickly as it came.

He looked at the empty vial. Then at his sister. His future had become painfully clear in one respect. He could no longer pretend nothing was wrong.

"I need evidence," he said. "I need to know how much influence she has. Who serves her willingly, who is afraid of her, and whether Father knows anything." Roric's expression hardened. "And I need Jane somewhere safe."

Jane immediately frowned. "Brother..."

"I'm not sending you away again," he said quickly. "Not like before. But I won't let her use you against me."

Jane studied him. Then nodded slowly.

Angel watched the exchange with quiet satisfaction.

At least the prince had begun thinking. Not perfectly. Not ruthlessly enough. But thinking.

It was a start.

"And if Father refuses to listen?" Roric asked.

Angel did not answer immediately. Instead, he walked toward the window and looked out at the sleeping capital. "Then you'll have to decide what matters more."

Roric swallowed. "My father or my kingdom?"

Angel glanced over his shoulder. "Your father's pride or the lives depending on your judgment."

That distinction hurt more. Because Roric knew which answer a good prince should give. He simply did not know whether he possessed the courage to live with it.

Angel smiled faintly. "Don't worry. You don't have to become a villain tonight."