Chapter 84

RYKER’S PO.V

I could feel Camilla’s annoyance surging through our bond and it took everything for me to pull that wall between us down. I knew that she wanted to help but I wasn’t willing to risk her safety. She was safest behind those walls and if that meant gaining her anger then it was a good deal. I could feel Steven’s eyes on me but I ignored him and turned on my heels.

The guards and soldiers were already preparing with their weapons. I had very little interest in actually fighting a battle but if that was what Frederick wanted then so be it. As soon as the soldiers saw me, all eyes went on me and everyone went quiet.

“The important thing is to make sure they don’t get into the palace,” I reminded them. “Meet them as far away from here as possible. The guards will remain here in case something happens but remember that under no circumstance is anyone supposed to breach the palace walls. Defend it with your life, are we clear?”

There was a chorus of yes, your majesty before everyone dispersed. Steven kept close to me and I wasn’t sure if it was because he was used to it or if there was another reason. He explained that they were coming from the East so majority of the soldiers gathered that way. The closer, we got, the more I could hear them. From what I could shear, he had a substantial army with him.

I stood in front waiting for them to arrive. When they did, Frederick raised his hands and they all stopped. I looked through the men around him and I saw a few familiar faces but I noticed that there were also rogues present: I couldn’t help but wonder how he got so many rogues to agree to fight for him. He must have promised them something but the question was what.

“I didn’t think would come out to welcome me,” Frederick began with a small smirk on his face. “Where is

you sister? How is she doing? I was expecting to see her too. I may or may not have another special surprise for her.”

my

dear

I knew he was trying to goad me into making the first move and as much as I wanted to rip his face off, I had to force myself into silence. Camilla wasn’t here and he was never going to get to her- that was what mattered. Once I was calm, I looked up at him once more and I saw his smile waver from my lack of response.

“This is your last chance, Frederick, call this thing off. You don’t want to die like this.”

He scoffed. “This is my birthright; the road was opened for me. I was supposed to be king but Camilla came out of nowhere and snatched it out from under my nose.”

“What are you even talking about?”

“Haven’t you ever wondered how she just managed to go missing?” he asked and the entire forest went silent. I knew what he was implying but I wasn’t going to believe it until he said it. “My mother did everything to ensure that I had a clear path to the throne and it was working until she came back.”

her

I will get my throne, one way or

“Why is that?”

you stepped right into my trap.”

to my feet and I saw Frederick’s men attacking. It took me a second to realize that the explosion wasn’t to hurt us but rather to throw us off balance. It was only by luck I was able to deflect the strike of the rogue who attacked me because my arms felt

trying to find Frederick but it was almost like he had disappeared. I muttered a small curse knowing he was heading for the palace. I wanted to go after him but it was like he had instructed

quickly side stepped and stabbed him with my sword.

were handled, I dropped my voice to a whisper.

darted off in the direction of the palace. The few

but know that he wouldn’t walk in through the front doors. I would have followed into the tunnels but I didnt know them as well as he did, they were his territory and it would be a sure recipe into dying quickly. I mind linked the spies and instructed them to assemble in front of all the tunnel entrances while I

nowhere to be seen. I had received a mind link saying that the main battle was already over and his men had been neutralized. That didn’t give me as much comfort as I needed it to. Steven was still by my side

why would he leave

he just

you were Frederick, where is the first place you would

I knew I was going to lose, I wouldn’t attack in the first place. He

how I didn’t even think about it. “I know where he is, come with

was the only place that made sense considering that the one thing Frederick wanted was to be recognized as king. As soon as I opened

I asked. Once the door was shut, I made my way into the room until I was standing in front of the throne. “I should

take you longer than I expected to find me. I was beginning

I noticed that he had a knife in his hands

doesn’t have to end this way,”

up to me, I would have just killed him and been done with it but I knew that if Camilla were here, she would have offered him the chance

or sympathy. I want what was mine by birth. I

heir to

am his

think that?” I asked making him fall silent. “He could have easily had another child with

if they are too weak

cannot have it.”

will

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