Page 29 of A Touch of Iron
13
ANSEL
Iwatched Violet foolishly agree to the duel and storm out of the throne room with Alec, Rook, and Tessa quick on her heels. She refused to even glance my way, which made me stare at her even more longingly. Deep down I knew she’d never forgive me, but I hoped –hoped– that maybe she would consider forgiving me once she was reunited with her mother. What I did was unforgivable. I knew that now. But still … I hadhoped.
“Ansel?” the King called out, a knowing look on his face. “Did you receive the envoy from the Queen?”
I nodded and walked toward him. “Yes, Your Highness. She’s due to arrive tomorrow.” The Queen was tired of waiting for news and had decided to travel to the Unseelie Court herself to meet Violet. Since they believed she was the last dragon reincarnated, her cache had certainly increased. Both kingdoms were all abuzz with Violet’s comings and goings.
“I hope there’s no funny business,” the King warned. “Remember, you’re inmycourt.”
I bowed slightly. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“Very well.” Our business concluded, the King stood and stepped down from the throne. He strode from the throne room without another word, leaving me alone with Kazimir.
I approached him tentatively, close enough to whisper. “The Queen’s arrival may put a wrinkle in our plan.”
Kazimir placed his hands in his pockets and affected a nonchalant air. “Our plan is already in motion. It doesn’t matter if the Queen is here or not. Everything is in place.”
“Can you count on the others?” I asked. The uncertainty made me nervous.
Kazimir shrugged. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”
I stepped forward, grabbing his arm. “No! We need to know for sure. It’s notyourhead on the chopping block if things go sideways!”
Kazimir ripped his arm from my grip and glared. “Watch where you lay your hands.” He smoothed the wrinkles from his suit. “Have no fear, boy. You are well protected.”
“Your word isn’t a guarantee,” I scoffed.
He rolled his eyes and started to walk away. “It’s not merely my word that guarantees your safety. If you weren’t so self-absorbed, you might know who’sreallybehind your safety …andyour freedom.”
Before I could gather my thoughts enough to form a response, Kazimir was gone. I stood there dumbfounded, wondering what he meant by his parting comment. My freedom? When had that ever been in jeopardy?
I strode out of the throne room more confused than ever and ran into Alec. I tried to walk past him, but he stopped me.
“You can’t ignore me, Ansel.” I froze in place. “We have to talk at some point.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” I muttered. “She’s made her decision.”
My brother sighed heavily, as if he felt the weight of the world. “She’s justifiably mad, Ansel. You can’t expect her to just brush this off. You involved the person she loves most—her mom—and you didn’t let her in on your plan.”
I whirled around to face him. “I know!” I shouted. “You don’t have to keep reminding me about all the ways I screwed up, Alec.”
“I’m not trying to be a broken record, but you need to realize that she won’t forgive you as easily as you hoped. You might actually have to talk to her and beg for forgiveness.”
I ran a hand through my hair, tugging at the roots. “She won’t even look at me, Alec. She’s made her decision, andI’mnot the brother she chose.” I glared at him, knowing full well how their relationship had shifted. The idea made me sick.
“You don’t know anything about us!” Alec stormed toward me and pushed me. I stumbled back and gaped at him in shock. “As much as I hate to say this, there’s nothing between us.” He worked to control his temper with great effort. “If you … if you spoke to her, maybe you could fix things,” he grimaced.
I knew full well how Alec felt about her. It was clear in his face and obvious to everyone around him. I knew he was trying to help and make me feel better, but his condescending tone only pissed me off further.
“Whatever,” I grumbled before stomping away. Without realizing it, I found my way outside Violet’s chambers. I sighed and hung my head. Even if she was upset, even if she hated me, I still had to warn her about the Queen.
Rook stood sentinel outside her door, his face impassive. I softly knocked twice and waited. She cracked the door and was about to slam it in my face, but I wedged my hand in the slivered opening with a grimace.
“Wait!” I pleaded. “Can you give me five minutes to explain?”
Her voice was colder than I’d ever heard. “I don’t want to hear your explanations, Ansel! They’reworthless.”
