The Devastation (Unexpected Circumstances #7)(16)

Whatever else she was going to say remained stuck in her throat as I backhanded her across the face. She squealed like an animal and fell to the side before Parnell could right her again.

“Get your hands off my daughter!” Margaret screeched from across the room.

“Where is my wife?” I snarled again at Whitney. I pulled back my hand to hit her a second time while her mother yelled at me.

“I said stay away from her! Do you hear me? She is my daughter and a princess! You will not treat her so!”

I turned and eyed Margaret standing in front of one of my soldiers with her arms pinned behind her back. I stalked slowly over to her and leaned down until my face was but inches from hers.

“Do you know where my wife is?” I asked her quietly.

“No, I do not,” she said in her haughty tone. “And if I did, I would not—”

Margaret’s sentence ended in a choking gasp as my blade slid easily into her. I placed my hand on her shoulder and pushed down at the same time I pulled up with my sword arm, impaling her further with a twist of the blade.

“Then I have no more use for you,” I told her lifeless eyes.

As her body dropped to the ground, I turned back to Whitney. Her eyes were wide as she tried to take a step forward but found herself still in Parnell’s grasp and unable to move. I could hear the muffled cries of Jared and Hedda through their gags.

“King Branford,” Parnell said quietly, “are you sure you want to—”

“Every tower razed.” I repeated my statements from this morning. “No one loyal to Hadebrand survives. No one.”

My gaze moved briefly to the twins where they cowered in the corner of the room. Hedda’s wide eyes were red and swollen as she stared at her mother’s lifeless body. I swallowed hard and turned back to the older princess.

“Tell me now.” I growled as I pointed my sword at her.

Whitney’s gaze moved slowly from the body on the floor back to mine. Her breath came in short, choppy huffs as Parnell yanked her backwards to hold her steady.

“Where is Alexandra?” I yelled again.

“She can rot right where she is!” Whitney screamed back at me, apparently not even realizing her admission.

She knows.

It was revealed in her eyes as well as betrayed on her lips. Edgar…Edgar had not known the plots of his daughter though he had also answered for them. The deed itself, though, had all been Whitney’s. The woman was obviously insane to think such a plot would work to bring her into my good graces, and now she was going to tell me where to find Alexandra.

“Erik,” I called out, and my young page appeared at my side.

“Yes, King Branford?”

“Fetch four horses and bring them to the field just outside the castle walls.”

“Yes, sire!”

“Parnell?”

“My king?”

“Bring Whitney to the field.”

Our eyes met, and I could see within his that he knew exactly what I intended to do. He had not the stomach for it, but he nodded his acceptance and began to push the princess out of the chamber.

“What of those two?” Rylan asked.

I looked to Hedda and Jared, both still bound and gagged with tears running down their faces. They had just watched their mother die, and they had to know Whitney was next. Jared was a stranger to me since he had only just begun to battle in tournaments, but I recalled Hedda. Alexandra had even talked of taking care of her as a babe. She had grown much since I had last seen her a few years ago.

“No supporter of Hadebrand survives,” I said simply. I waved over one of the soldiers, and he came forth to bow before me. I leaned close to him and put my hand on his shoulder. “Kill the offspring of Hadebrand. Be quick and merciful, and deliver the heads of the royal family to the front of the castle when it is done.”

I could see the man’s throat bob slightly as his gaze met with the young girl’s fearful expression. He nodded quickly, and I could see the resignation in his eyes.

“Yes, my king.”

“Good man,” I said quietly as I took my hand from his shoulder. He looked up to meet my gaze, and I could see the questions in his eyes. “Survivors with grudges lead to future wars. With each of their lives, you save the lives of your kingdom’s future children.”

I saw the understanding in his expression, and I knew the deed would be done quickly. I did not look at Jared or Hedda again but looked instead to their sister, whose blood would soon be on my hands in a much more direct way. I took one more glance at the soldier who would be the executioner of the youngest of Edgar’s children.

“It will be done,” he said. His voice was hoarse and caught in his throat.

“You will perform this duty,” I said, making sure we both knew there was no question about it.

“It is my honor to serve Silverhelm, King Branford,” he said with a more definitive tone.

I nodded and followed Rylan out the door to the tournament arena behind Hadebrand’s castle. It was the very same place I had first laid eyes on my beautiful wife. I remembered it vividly.

“What is your name?” I questioned the beautiful creature before me. I was glad for my armor and the ability it had to hide my excitement and lust.

“Alexandra, my lord.” She responded so quietly I only barely made out her answer. I watched the color brighten her cheekbones until she dipped her head, causing her hair to fall across part of her face.