Read The Stolen Brides 02 -His Forbidden Touch for Free Online Page A

so
long now appeared to be within reach.
    But at a price that must be pure torment for
the king.
    Royce glanced up from beneath the dark hair
that had fallen over his forehead, observing the man on the far
side of the chamber: the very picture of a king, so silent and
solemn beneath those purple robes that now all but hung on his
war-weary frame.
    Aldric always put his subjects’ needs before
his own. It was the quality Royce used to find most admirable about
him.
    And the most maddening. Because to Aldric,
the needs of crown and country also came before the needs of his
family. Of those he loved.
    And that, Royce would never comprehend.
    Crossing his arms over his chest, he cleared
his throat. “Your Majesty, I still do not understand.”
    Aldric glanced over his shoulder,
silent.
    “It sounds as if all the arrangements have
been made, as you said yourself. What is it you want of me?”
    Aldric sighed, the sound barely noticeable
even in the empty dining hall. But when he turned, his eyes
glittered with a look of determination. “There are those who do not
want this wedding to take place nor the peace accord between
Châlons and Thuringia to succeed. Rebels.” The silkiness of his
voice as he said the word was more potent than venom. “They
apparently believe that instead of bringing peace, the agreement
will only make Daemon more powerful. Their fear and hatred of him
is so great that they will risk anything to thwart his plans.”
    Royce found himself instantly sympathizing
with these men, but he kept his opinion to himself.
    “The fools do not understand what they risk
in stirring his wrath,” Aldric continued. “This agreement is the
last hope I have to save my people from further suffering and
death—but these heedless lackwits would destroy it. They have
already tried. A fortnight ago, the night before the wedding
procession was to leave for Thuringia, my daughter was attacked. In
the palace.” His voice remained calm, but the blaze in his eyes
bespoke fury. “In my own solar.”
    Royce’s gaze narrowed. “An assassination
attempt?” Any sympathy he might have felt for the rebels
evaporated.
    “That is how it appeared to Princess Ciara,
and to me, though she escaped with only a wound to her arm. Some of
my advisers think it may have been a failed abduction. Neither
possibility endears these rebels to me in the least. They must be
insane to even consider such treachery.”
    “And did you question this man who attacked
the princess? Do you know who their leaders are?”
    “Nay, we could not capture him. The incident
occurred during the betrothal feast. A man appeared at the door of
the solar, calling out that the princess had been hurt. A throng of
people rushed to her aid, and the man blended into the crowd and
escaped before we even knew what had happened.”
    “Clever,” Royce murmured.
    “Aye,” the king agreed darkly. “He was gone
before anyone could identify him, and the princess did not see his
face. All she remembers is what he said—that he meant to stop the
wedding.”
    Royce began to see why Aldric had summoned
him here. “Are there any other clues as to who these traitors might
be?” He started to pace, thinking.
    “Only one. We had guards posted throughout
the palace that night, and no one but our invited guests attended
the betrothal feast. Which means it was either someone who pretends
to be my loyal subject—”
    “Or some of your own guardsmen are lending
aid to the rebels.” Royce swore under his breath. Now he understood
why the king needed the services of someone from outside Châlons,
someone far removed from the palace and its intrigues.
    Someone who gave no pretense of being a
loyal subject.
    He stopped pacing, absently rubbing a hand
over his stubbled jaw. “I assume you have the princess under
protection?”
    “The only protection I trust at the
moment—my own.” Aldric moved to one of the trestle tables, where he
picked up an empty cup and reached for another.