Page 77 of Entangled With You

Magnus said, “Bella, Lady Mairead needs ye tae accompany her tae the upcoming battle. Minister Donahue will inform ye of the time and place.”

Bella said, “Oh.”

Magnus said, “Ye can go home then. I see nae need for ye tae remain.”

“You’re being so cold to me, My Magnus⁠—”

My head shot up.

Magnus’s eyes held a quiet fury.

He watched her for a moment. “I winna argue with ye about the things ye said and did tae me, because I daena care enough tae discuss it. I told ye the truth when we were imprisoned together and I haena changed my mind.” He looked down at his hands. But then raised his head and met her eyes. “Ye kent Kaitlyn was there, Bella, and ye dinna tell me. I understand why ye did it, twas because ye wanted tae survive, but twas her death sentence. So there is nae comin’ tae an agreement about it with ye.”

She said, “Fine.” She stood and smoothed out her dress. She asked the room, “Do you need anything else then?”

Lady Mairead said, “Nae, ye can go home, Bella.”

Bella wove her way through the artifacts to the elevator doors.

Magnus slumped down on the newly vacated couch: his elbow on the armrest, his fingers on his mouth, watching me.

I met his eyes.

He nodded and mouthed, “Are ye okay?”

I nodded and mouthed back, “Thank you.”

Lady Mairead said, “I suppose ye art proud of yourself, Magnus?”

I interjected, “If he isn’t, I am. He managed to get through this whole evening without flying into a rage, I think he’s amazing.”

He grinned and his eye twinkled. “Why thank ye, wife.”

Minister Donahue cleared his throat. “Speaking of — to get down to business. There’s the matter of a warrant that has been issued for the arrest of Kaitlyn Campbell for the charge of murder against Donnan the Second on the night of the Equinox Gala⁠—”

Magnus said, “Twas self defense.”

“Well we are a kingdom of laws. A court will need to decide it. I am bound by the law to turn her over⁠—”

Magnus stayed completely still, relaxed on the couch. “I am the next king, ye winna touch her.”

Lady Mairead said, “Magnus, what I think Donahue is trying tae say is that he winna turn her over, but he is bound tae do it. You will need tae move tae take your throne fast if ye want tae keep her from going tae trial. When you are king ye can have her pardoned, isna that right, Donahue?”

“Yes, you could pardon her after her arrest. There would need to be a semblance of propriety, a trial, but yes, you could pardon her.”

Magnus leaned forward. “Ye are sayin’ that as the king, my wife would be put on trial for murder? Most of the kings have taken the throne by killin’ the man that stood in their way — tis nae fair.”

“It’s different for the king, Magnus.”

“Well that is the first rule I will change then. How do I challenge Samuel?”

“He’s taken over the castle, and the running of the kingdom. He’s challenged your bloodline through the courts. The case will be heard two days from now. You have a great many people in the government on your side, but the challenge will need to be fought, as you know, in the arena.”

Lady Mairead asked, “Does it? A bit of poison perhaps, a tastefully done accident? Or a lowly prostitute could take him tae bed and kill him as Kaitlyn⁠—”

Magnus jumped from his seat, crossed in a step, and yanked the arms of her chair to get her attention. He leaned over her eye to eye and growled, “Watch your tongue. I winna stand for another word of disrespect from ye. I am either a dead man or a king. Kaitlyn is either a widow or a queen. Ye best show us the respect we deserve.”

“I was only laying out our options.”