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.”

“Your mother took her away, didn’t she?”

He smirked. “That’s enough talking, I will get my throne, one way or another and the way I see it, I’ve already won.”

“Why is that?”

“Because, you stepped right into my trap.”

Before I could ask what he meant, my world exploded. We were thrown back by the force of the explosion and I was lucky enough to not be at the forefront. My ears were ringing as I struggled to get 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 like lead.

I looked around trying to find Frederick but it was almost like he had disappeared. I muttered a small curse knowing he was heading for the palace.copy right hot novel pub