Dividing Eden (Dividing Eden #1)(62)
“Are you saying you don’t believe I can draw that line?”
“Me?” Elder Jacobs shook his head. “No. But there are others on the Council who have . . . concerns.”
“What kind of concerns?” Andreus demanded.
“Your lack of enthusiasm for your training with the guard, your willingness to work with commoners on the windmills, and your fondness for the boy who you rescued make many wonder if you are weak. A kingdom this large must be ruled in part by strength—a strength your sister showed at the tournament today. The Council and the kingdom know that she will deal swiftly and permanently with any who seek to injure the kingdom or the crown. I fear by tomorrow the Council will be tailoring the Trials to ensure they can award points to Princess Carys. Unless, of course, you do something to change their minds.”
Two lords and their ladies walked over to extend their sympathy to Prince Andreus.
He clenched his fists at his side, but smiled and thanked the nobles for their kind words. Then, he apologized for needing time to confer with the Elder about an important and private matter.
“Of course, Your Highness. Please tell the Queen she is in our thoughts.”
He assured them he would even though he knew he wouldn’t. As far as he knew his mother was still in a drug-induced stupor. He hoped she would stay that way until he could secure the crown.
If the Council was turning toward Carys, it meant they were once again seeing Andreus as second best.
He wouldn’t let them. Not this time.
Once the nobles were out of earshot, he turned back to Elder Jacobs and asked, “Do you have a suggestion as to how I might change those minds? I would be happy to speak to each of the Council members if that would gain their support.”
Elder Jacobs sighed and quietly said, “I fear words will not do much good. You see, many on the Council believe you are not capable of tempering your desire for approval in order to instill fear, which is a tool all effective kings must be willing to command. The court and the commoners alike must know you are capable of punishing those who do you harm or there can be no respect for the crown. Without that respect the kingdom will falter. The Council of Elders is waiting for a demonstration that you can instill fear. I have assured them you will not disappoint. If I am right, the Council will shift their allegiance to you. You will be declared the winner of all the trials, for appearance’s sake, and the throne will be yours.”
Andreus glanced back at the gold-and-sapphire seat on the dais behind him. Still studying the glistening throne, he heard Elder Jacobs say, “I expect you will not let me or the kingdom down tonight, Your Highness.” And with that, Elder Jacobs strolled into the crowd.
As others approached to curry favor and offer their sympathies, Andreus looked around the room for Imogen. She had to be warned that Elder Jacobs was aware of the two of them. Elder Jacobs’s words felt like a threat. If Andreus didn’t take advantage of the Elder’s desire to be an ally and rally the Council to his side, then the Elder had made it known that he had the tools to be a very dangerous enemy.
He would not lose Imogen or the throne that Carys promised would be his, and he fought to bite back his frustration each time a new noble stopped to talk with him as he moved around the Hall searching for the seeress.
“Your sister is not at all acting like your mother would,” High Lady Rivenda sniffed as she looked to where Carys was standing—closer than she should be—to the man she had been dancing with not long ago. “I had heard she had overcome her . . . difficulties. Clearly, not.”
“My sister is just feeling the stress of this terrible week, my lady,” he said, automatically defending his twin. When he realized what he had done, he changed tactics and offered, “It has been difficult for us all. I guess you can’t blame her for resorting to whatever offers comfort.”
“She is lucky to have a brother who is so understanding,” Lady Rivenda gushed. “I am so sorry for your losses and wish you luck in the Trials. My Lord Wynden and I are rooting for you.” She pointed to the yellow jewels she wore and Andreus smiled before extricating himself from the conversation.
Where was Imogen? Her worries about Carys’s jealousy pulled at him as he spoke with several other lords and ladies, several of whom wished to introduce him to their daughters. Then he spotted Imogen speaking with Elder Ulrich and he couldn’t help but smile. Lady Imogen’s gown of rich yellow, a public pledge of her belief in him, made his entire being swell with pride. She was his. Micah might have wanted her, but Imogen loved Andreus. Just as he had loved her from the first. He would do whatever it took to give her the home she always yearned for as a child. If that meant—
A scream scraped over the music and the laughter. Then another.
Reaching for his sword, Andreus looked around for the cause as Captain Monteros and several of the castle guard emerged from the crowd with a screaming young man in tow.
“Leave me go. I just wanted to see what a ball was like. I didn’t cause no harm.”
The crowd parted and the Council of Elders appeared at the base of the dais in the front of the Hall. Elder Cestrum nodded at Captain Monteros as he grabbed the boy and threw him to the white stone floor. Andreus stepped toward the front of the room and saw his sister appear on the other side. The man she had danced with was at her shoulder as she watched the trembling youth sprawled face down on the ground.