Page 59 of Dead Crown
Until he’d snapped earlier.
“I attacked him because he took Jacqueline away. He’s going to be so mad…”
He’d also gone downstairs to retrieve her. What was Tivar going to do when he found out? Jaki was right because he’d never be allowed to keep her. A deep tremble started in Lumi’s stomach because he wasn’t sure what to do anymore. He hadn't thought anything through, and he was too weak to protect Jacqueline on his own. He imagined Tivar finding them later…he’d punish Jacqueline too.
“No parent wants to be separated from their baby, and that’s exactly what will happen if you stay here.” Jaki fiddled with a necklace he pulled from his shirt. A faint shimmer slid down his body as his features went back to normal, and he looked like his typical self. He sat on the couch next to Lumi. “If he took her away once, he’ll do it again. If he returns to see you have your baby, he’ll take her right back out. I’m not leaving this Castle without you, and that’s final. You’ll both be safe back home, and you’ll never have to return. He will never touch you again, and you can keep her. Do you understand me? I’m not leaving without you, and I swear I’ll keep you safe. He’ll never get his hands on either of you again.”
Lumi sniffled and nodded.
“How long ago did you give birth?”
Lumi had to think. “This is the third day. He said I could keep her, and I had to give him a son next time. He came in while I was asleep and took her. I tried to attack him when he came back. I panicked, and I was so enraged, but he’s stronger. He beat me down on the bed.”
Jaki sucked in a faint breath as his ears flattened. “I should wait here until he comes back and gut him. But…”
Even in Lumi’s state, he could see complications with killing Tivar. “His lightning tracks.”
“I won’t be the drunk one. I can’t hide him anywhere. I can’t risk being seen if I haul him outside, and I have to get you over the border. The servants would remember me, and men would be everywhere and after us once they found his corpse. They’d also send guards to execute the real Lord Smith. Well, the one who lives down south. That’s who I’m impersonating.”
“Won’t they go after him and think he has me?”
“Perhaps. They might not execute him when it becomes clear he has nobody. Also, no one can say he’s responsible for Tivar’s death. Tivar will soon understand that someone in disguisetook you.” Jaki stared at the Crown on the mantelpiece. “He’ll definitely send whoever he trusts most to look for you, but he won’t be able to say who you are and admit you’re Edur or why you were locked in his bedroom. He’ll have to be careful about what he says in case anyone questions the urgency of why an unknown man needs to be found as fast as possible.”
Lumi could see men fanning out to search, and without knowing that they needed to find Tivar’s sex slave and baby maker who was also the true heir, they might start to grow lax. They’d think it was a hopeless mission and maybe even a waste of time to only catch someone who’d displeased Tivar regardless of whatever lie he made up with no proof to back it up. Eventually, they’d assume their quarry was over the border.
“If I kill Tivar, and they find his body, half of the damn Kingdom would be searching for the killer,” added Jaki. “That’s a concrete reason. The ruler is dead, and the killer must be caught. Plenty would think Iceland is done and over at that point, thanks to Tivar’s claim. I can't risk not getting you over the border, and if we both die…Iceland would be well and truly fucked.”
“Why did you come at all?” Lumi couldn’t imagine he’d traveled so far and risked himself just for one person. It was preposterous.
“You’re my brother. I don't care if we’re half.”
“I committed treason.”
“Yes, but you weren't given a choice. I sent a lord as a spy to get info and the layout of this place. I tried to get Father to do something, and he continues to sit on his ass. I made a couple of changes at court and said I had to go south to visit a friend.” Jaki pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ve tried to get him up and moving before…Sit there so I can wash your face. You still have a little blood on you.”
“What if Tivar had been here?” Lumi asked once Jaki returned with fresh water in the bowl and a rag to dab at his face.
“I would have tried not to gut him to start with. The Lord Smith here in West Iceland has a son by a Mistress. I would have said he ran off with a trollop, and I’ve been desperately searching for him. His lover has family in this area. I stopped here to rest and ask if he’s been seen. I also would have pretended I needed to send a letter to my Mistress to let her know how my search is going.”
Tivar likely would have believed it. He might have even offered to send out a couple of guards to look around Lilling and ask.
“And then what?”
“I would have tried to get him drunk. I’ve got medicine in my bag that’ll knock out a man. A little in his wine would put him to sleep but leave him alive so no one would be chasing after me, the killer. If things didn’t work out, I’d have taken the risk of killing him.”
The beating, finding his daughter, and listening had worn Lumi out beyond belief, so he remained quiet while Jaki finished cleaning him. He found balm in the privy room and applied it to Lumi wherever needed. Lumi started to cry again because nobody had given him a truly nice touch in forever or done anything to take care of him as if they gave a shit.
The last person to touch him gently was Jaki.
“I’m sorry, Lumi. I should have come earlier. I can’t pretend I wasn’t scared to come this far. If something happened, and we both died…”
Iceland’s death would be final then.
“I found herbs in your room. I guessed what Tivar intended.”
Lumi avoided his gaze. “He said I was broken because I never conceived. I took the herbs just in case because I wasn’t sure. I didn’t want a random courtier’s baby.”
“You’re not broken,” said Jaki. “I guess I should call you Edur since that’s your real name.”
