Page 3 of Breaking Briar

My voice stays in my throat, never escaping. All I can do is rant and rail in my mind.

Impotence.

It’s a word I’ve heard used regarding my father, but until today, I’ve never truly understood its meaning. A vow churns in my guts as I watch the woman writhing in front of me, her body jerking about in wild abandon.

Maybe not today, but she will die at my hands for making me feel so small, weak, and insignificant. A loud roar swirls in my head, an anger I do not understand. It also doesn’t come from me, but somehow, it feels familiar.

The rage washes over me, soothing me in a way I’ve not felt since I was a small child. It comforts me and shores me up. Let this woman do her worst. I will survive, even if it’s only to make her pay for her sins against me this day.

“Abomination,” she finally cries out, coming back to her senses. “You cannot have her. You shall not have her. The daughter of the king will never be your bride!”

As if her words hold the key to the spell binding me in place, I collapse onto the floor, no longer being held aloft by the shadows. Once more, I am alone, as if she was never here. The sword, too, is gone, disappeared into the ether with its creator. Looking down at my finger, I note the prick. It’s the only proof this ever happened.

Shaken, I make my way out of the room, my body trembling with each step I take. Around me, everyone bustles about, their minds only on the celebration to occur. A baby. A princess. The one who is meant for me.

She’s the one everybody has been trying to get me excited about. But now, after the witch’s proclamation, do I even dare? Rage floods my veins at the thought of giving in to her evil machinations. I will not be ordered about by some malcontent such as she.

Vibrations pour through my body as my heart pounds in my chest. The witch thinks to keep me from what’s mine? Before now, I cared nothing about this new child or the alliance our marriage would bring. After hearing the witch’s shrieked commands, I cannot allow my future bride to slip through my grasp.

If anything, I have to keep her safe. It’s imperative, an unspoken command that threads its way through my body until it fills my mind. There is nothing else. Only my infant bride.

Glancing up, I note a figure darting in and out of the people, making their way to my side. Master Balcom. His hand grasps the hilt of his sword as he hunches down, making his eyes level with mine.

“You are well, my prince?”

Could he know? Could he possibly be the only other person to understand what happened here today? I open my mouth to ask him, but something in his eyes tells me to stay quiet.

“I am well.”

With a familial grasp on my shoulder, he nods before standing. “Today is a good day for the House of Godwin. A covenant between us and the House of Kendrick is a thing to celebrate. Is it not?”

The words I long to say lie scattered on my tongue like thick ash. I don’t want this. I don’t want any of this. It’s my pride and anger propelling me forward, and nothing more. All thoughts of keeping the baby safe flee from my mind as my wits return.

If I were being honest with myself, I would not want to marry a stranger just to align our house with that of another. It should be a union of my choosing and not out of desperation. My father shouldn’t be making alliances with others. He should be a show of strength on his own.

If only Master Balcom was king… But then, it’s not as if my father would make a good captain of the guard. He’s useless. Good for nothing. The only thing he ever did right was marry my mother. It’s for her I go through this charade.

Perhaps she thinks the same thing. I’ve seen the glances she directs his way, especially when she thinks no one else is looking. But I see her. I see the longing there. Even if it’s just for a brief moment in time.

But such wishes do not come true. Just because I want a man like Master Balcom to be my father, such things don’t happen. Shrugging off his hand, I pull away, needing to rid myself of the witch before I stand before the assembly to marry an infant I never wanted. All for the name of safety and peace.

“Many will certainly celebrate today,” I finally manage to croak out as I turn and go back to my room.

The servants will no doubt be in a tizzy over my late arrival, but I cannot find it within me to care. All I can think about is the witch and her words. Abomination. How dare she speak so boldly in front of me?

A shiver wracks down my spine as I stand there, allowing the others to attend to me. I almost do feel them fixing my clothes. I’m far too consumed with my thoughts. There was something in her eyes, something which spoke of coming retribution. But who would dare touch a crown prince?

CHAPTER 2

PHILIP

The throne room buzzes as dignitaries flit about, oohing and ahhing over the baby. Somehow, the House of Kendrick thought it would be a good show of faith to travel here for these celebrations. Something about goodwill and a show of force? But it doesn’t make much sense to me.

In my mind, it’s just one more way to make my father look weak, as if he couldn’t travel the distance to Kendrick. They’re probably correct. Even now, my father looks pink, flushed with all the excitement. He’s the complete opposite of Kendrick, who looks calm and reserved. Lethal, if I’m being honest.

Pulling my mind back to the reason we’re all gathered, I glance over at the crib, noting the ribbons and gems bedecking every available surface. It’s far too ornate for this throne room. But then, I’m sure that’s completely the point.

With a sigh, I shake my head. How can Father not see what’s directly in front of him? Is he that blind? Is he that desperate for an alliance?