Page 69 of Frost and Death
Yet Mother’s signature is small and tentative, stamped with her signet ring, the only evidence proving she did this.
I run my fingers over her name, questioning her actions.
I’ll never forget the sound of Mother’s screams, her constant words repeating that Father was gone, and she knew he was dead.
I wished I could have known—could have done something to stop it.
Mother took on Father’s responsibilities but was still unable to forget they were separated. She would wail and weep, long into the hours of each night, distraught and broken that her love was taken away.
Mother fought with her advisors, claiming Palaena and King Ivan were behind it, insisting he needed to meet his end. She only backed down when she was advised repeatedly that she needed evidence before making such an accusation and that a fight would only bring more tragedy.
Not only that, but attacking Palaena would be the first time a kingdom disrupted the peace the Makers, and all kingdoms had upheld forgenerations.
But Mother was more adamant than I ever was.
She traveled to other kingdoms to seek help, especially Unterkirch, building a relationship with Queen Verena when her husband passed. And then Mother decided to draft a trade proposal between Axidoria and Palaena, one that would grant her an audience with King Ivan and a chance to find Father or get answers.
But when she packed her bags and never returned, I was left to believe Palaena was behind it.
But why is my name on amarriageagreement? Was this the trade proposal Mother devised?
It couldn’t be.
The parchment in my hands falls as eyes bore into me, waiting to drag me further into my demise.
I look at the window.
The room remains silent as my thoughts twirl in chaos, trying to connect this information with everything I know.
Surely, this is all a sick, twisted nightmare.
“Did you force my mother into this and then kill her?” I demand, meeting Jerrick’s face.
Jerrick’s arms fold while his stern gaze regards me, choosing his next words very carefully.
“We did not kill her.”
“You’re lying!” I scream, tears forming from the blunt discussion of her death.
My mother is dead because I have inherited magic. If theyclaimthey didn’t kill her, what the Oblivion happened to her?
The men know exactly where my thoughts are because they glance at each other briefly when Jerrick repeats, “We did not kill your mother.”
“You’re all liars!” I shake my head.
Jonas’s voice fills the void. “Why would we lie whenshewas the one that came here?Shewas the one who drafted this document and convinced our father to sign it! Why would she—”
Jonas stops, staring at the arm wrapped around his. The brothers silently communicate.
Jerrick shakes his head as Jonas heaves.
The hold lessens when Jonas nods, shaking his brother’s lingering touch off and facing me.
“We didn’t kill your mother, Queen Tove. We swear it,” Jonas vows, frustration making his promise sharp.
He and Jerrick clasp a fist over their hearts and lower their heads.
The inside of my cheek scrapes against my teeth, and the tale they tell forces me to break away from their stares.
