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She turned around to face him. “You can try, but it won’t do any good.” Then she took a step back.
He sighed. He could feel her stare, cutting at his core. He lowered his gaze. The damage was done, but he had to find a way to fix it, he had too.
“I swear it isn’t as bad as it seems.”
Aironell exhaled. “So you didn’t conspire against my parents, your king and queen?” She folded her arms and tapped her fingers against them as she continued. “You didn’t take part in traitorous acts? You didn’t send…me…away?”
Alzerion opened his mouth but nothing came out. He shook his head. He moved closer to her. He reached out but hesitated. She didn’t push his hands away so he placed them on her shoulders.
“It sounds bad, I know. I never meant to do anything to really hurt you. I-I, ugh, everything I did was for you.”
Aironell turned away from him. His one hand cupped around her cheek until she faced him. He felt the dried tear stain on her cheek. She grabbed his hand, grazed her fingers against him, and then pushed his hand into his chest. “I can’t trust you. Do you understand?”
He could hear her voice quiver. “You keep everyone at a distance, Alzerion. So much you keep to yourself.” Her voice cracked as tears flowed down her face. “All my parents have done for you and this is how you repay them.”
Alzerion took a deep breath. He felt the heaviness in his chest. “I’m sorry. Aironell, I-I truly did what I thought I needed to keep you safe. My feelings have always been real.”
Aironell wiped her eyes and walked away. “You can explain to my parents.” She didn’t turn back-just kept walking.
Aironell stayed ahead of Alzerion. He was probably staying back. She knew that he could keep up with her if he wanted. She needed the space anyway. So many thoughts playing out in her mind. It all came back to one thing, can he be trusted? She was open with him, but has he ever really been that open with her? She shook the painful thoughts away as she climbed the stairs to the palace and walked to the Great Hall.
She placed her hands on the doors and glanced over her shoulder to Alzerion. “Stay here.” Her voice was firm.
Then she pushed open the doors and strolled to her parents.
“Aironell, what’s wrong?” Queen Evalyn asked. Her face softened. King Francisco looked up and stood at once. “Sweetie?” He placed an arm around her.
She told them. Left no detail out. The sat with a hand to her mouth, while the king’s eyes blurred a bit. She sensed he was fighting tears. She sighed after she finished. King Francisco, hugged her. “I’m sorry.”
She wrapped her arms around her father. The tears streamed down her cheeks once more. The warmth and love of his embrace was comforting. He wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. “Sweetheart, send Alzerion in. Your mother and I must speak with him.”
Aironell looked over at her mother. She had a pained expression. She knew they both were in some form of shock. They had to be. She certainly was. Aironell nodded and opened the door.
She held the door open and then held her arm out and pointed to her parents. The king had repositioned himself back on the throne. Alzerion walked in, looked at her but she turned away. He made his way toward her parents.
“Thank you,” King Francisco said. “We would like a private word with him.”
Aironell nodded and left the room.
Alzerion approached them. He couldn’t meet their gaze. The queen looked pale as she covered her mouth. Where the king’s face didn’t give much away. His lip curled. Neither said a word. It was quiet. Eerie. Alzerion found the courage to look at them. The king’s face looked hard, like stone. He gulped.
“Is it true?” the queen looked like there were tiny pools of water in her eyes. Alzerion opened his mouth but no words.
“Think carefully about your answer,” King Francisco boomed. “Did you do those things, thisWarrensaid?”
Alzerion breathed out. “Not entirely.”
“Alzerion, we want a straight answer.” Queen Evalyn grasped the arms of her throne.
Alzerion ran his hands through his hair. “I can’t give you one.” He looked up to see the king glaring and the queen tapping her nails into the arms of her throne.
Alzerion’s eyes glistened. His chin dropped to his chest as he spoke. “I never meant for things to go this far and I didn’t plan for any of it.”
“Then explain,” King Francisco demanded. “What happened?” His head tilted to the side as he sat firm, unmoving, like a statue. He never realized how imposing the king could seem.
Alzerion shifted his feet as his arms hung at his side. “It started the night Aironell was kidnapped.”
“Wh-what?” the queen’s voice wavered. She cleared her throat. “Alzerion that, that—”
