Page 40 of Crowned In Sin

“Your Majesty,” I say, and bow to the king. “Casen. What has happened?”

The boy the king sent for paper returns, running it to my brother. He takes a pencil from his pocket and writes something, then hands the note to me.

I need to speak to you. Now.

A chill runs through me. Has he changed his mind? I take a deep breath and fold the note into my palm. “Your Majesty, forgive us. My brother wishes to speak with me about some urgent matter.” It takes great effort to look the king in the eyes. The unsettled nature is not one of a king or even a prince. I’ve brought chaos to his castle.

“Very well.” The king claps us both on our shoulders and sweeps out of the room. “Where is my daughter? She seemed to take a turn. Is she all right?”

Someone answers him from the hallway. I don’t pay attention to what they say. I face my brother. “What is it? Why have you come down? This was not what we agreed upon when we spoke last night.”

Casen holds out his hand for the scrap of paper, then writes again.

I felt I had no choice.

“Why not?”

Irritation mixes with a deep sorrow. Although he is marred, his expression is one of regret.

I love her and I know he could too. She could love him, I know she would in some capacity. If only they would give this a chance.

“What is it?” I question when he doesn’t make a move to confess why this morning has gone so poorly.

Tension strains between us and I feel as if I will go mad. My brother could have come to me this morning. He could have found me in the garden. He knew I planned to speak to Princess Cora there. Casen knew he was supposed to meet us in the garden as well, so that I might introduce her to him privately. I wanted him to be present for that introduction. He is my brother. He knows the secret I have not yet told Cora. Casen will remain by my side after I am wed, because that is the promise we made to each other after we came home from the war.

Casen writes more slowly this time, but his eyes are hard when he hands me the paper.

I have had the princess. Many times.

The blood drains from my face as I read his words. At first I cannot comprehend them. Words fail me for a moment. The thin parchment between my fingers trembles in my grasp.

“Princess Cora?” I question, my throat dry. “You mean to tell me that you have had—” I drop my voice to keep this shocking betrayal from reaching anyone who may be able to hear me from the hall. “You mean to tell me that you have had Princess Cora?”

My head is light with a haze of confusion. She’s been with another man, that I know. But it cannot be.

He grabs the paper out of my hand and writes, then holds up the note so I might see it.

She was in need. Many times. Many nights. And I came to her bed. I’m sorry, brother.

The parchment itself is blasphemy and must be burned at once. No one can know of such things of the princess. And yet, I cannot move. I’m paralyzed as I stare at him, unable to think. My heart pounds with anger. My hands curl into fists. My brother stares back at me, his scarred face all I can see. There is always guilt when I look at him, and it is no different now, but his actions are like a sword through my guts.

My vision clouds with red. I pace away from him, endeavoring to get myself under the control befitting a prince. The princess didn’t tell me how long it had been. Or if it was ongoing. A betrayal. My brother. My lover.

When my vision has cleared and I have caught my breath, I stride back to him. Casen stands impassively in the middle of the sunroom.

“What did you say to the king?” I demand.

He shakes his head.

Nothing, then. He said nothing to the king.

“Then why couldn’t you wait until I introduced you? It would have been a matter of minutes.” I have to compartmentalize it all. Strategy and logic taking over.

Casen’s scrap of paper is running out of room, but he finds a bit of space at the bottom.

I wanted her to know. I could not wait any longer.

“No, you couldn’t, could you?” The sarcasm and anger mix in my tone.