Page 88 of The Dark Prince
The king fell back as a coughing fit overtook him, and no one noticed as I backed away and others rushed forward, the object still clutched in my hand.
“The king! Help him!”
“He can’t breathe!”
“Prop him up lads, come on now!”
“Get away, everyone! GET AWAY!”
The last voice was Tyr, commanding everyone, as was his nature. Every man backed away except Bennett. The two of them stayed kneeling over the king as his struggles lessened, then eventually stopped.
Everyone stilled.
Bennett pulled back first, his face white, and his eyes haunted. He blinked a few times, then searched the king. First the former monarch’s hands, then patting him down on either side.
“Where is it?” he asked Tyr.
Where was what?
Tyr didn’t make any movement to show he’d heard what Bennett said. His back hunched, every muscle tense as he hung over his father’s body. The same father who had brought so much responsibility and suffering down upon his son’s shoulders.
“Lord Tyr, we have to find it,” Bennett insisted, a bit of panic laced at the edge of his voice. “Without it, you aren’t—”
“Aren’twhat?”
Bennett physically drew back at the pure venom in Tyr’s voice. I stepped forward at that and put my free hand on Tyr’s shoulder. It didn’t help. If anything, he tensed more, the cords of muscle under my fingertips knotting more tightly.
“My … er, Lord Black. We need his signet ring. I was a witness when he wrote the will. The throne passes to the eldest son if the princess is unwed, unless he decrees otherwise.”
“I know the law,” Tyr grit out, his teeth clenched tightly. His dark hair hung his face, covering the disfigured side of him just as effectively as his mask used to.
My heart pounded as I clutched the heavy metal the king had thrust into my hands. I didn’t hate the king, but I held a lot of resentment for the way he’d treated the women in his life, and the enormous amount of pressure he’d piled upon the man I loved. And yet … I think he just handed me the key to my husband’s salvation.
“He gave it to me.”
I didn’t recognize my voice as I uncurled my hand and revealed the large, golden signet ring sitting in my palm. I sounded older; more mature and commanding than what I was used to. The gold in the ring was immaculate, with a bright red ruby in its center bigger than the fingernail of my thumb.
Tyr’s head jerked up, and he twisted around to look at me. Panic and fear bloomed in his eyes, his horrified gaze flitting from me to the ring, then back again. Blood-specked spittle covered his face from his dying father. I wiped his brow with my sleeve without a second thought.
“No,” he whispered. “Fuck no.”
That cemented my decision.
Bennett made an odd sound of dismay in his throat, then hurriedly dropped to his knees. The remaining guards automatically kneeled with him, their faces full of confusion until they saw the ring in my palm. Tyr’s men followed faster, grinning and hiding their smirks as they elbowed each other on the way down. Gold exchanged hands in a quick flash, then was tucked away.
Men.
I put the ring on my thumb, having no other finger where it fit. Tyr stayed on the ground next to his dead father, his hands covering his face.
“Please,” he begged. “Don’t do this. I know you think you’re saving me. Don’t. I am already damned. I’m already hated. Don’t let it stain you. Don’t let it touch you. If it breaks you, I—” His voice went rough with despair. “I will have nothing without you.”
I put my hands on his and gently pushed until he stood.. Everyone around us followed suit, but I only had eyes for Tyr. “Nor I you. That is whyImust do this. Don’t you see? You have done enough. Let someone else help for once.”I gave him a quick grin. “Besides, it’s only temporary.”
I spun from him, not giving him a moment to protest. “Get my husband’s father off this floor. Have him placed comfortably in my room and find him some clothing befitting his station. The rest of you go into the town and help set things right where needed. Help people bury the dead and fix their homes. There will be meals available for all to partake in on the castle lunch at dinnertime,” I paused, eyeing them all, “for all those who haveearnedit.”
I stopped Leif as he started to stride away. “Find Bessy and anyone still hiding in the castle. Tell them we need to clean and set the castle to rights, and we must prepare a feast.”
As everyone hustled around, I caught Bennett by the elbow. “Stay awhile. We must make plans for the late king and talk.” I eyed Tyr. “A lot.”
