The Shadow, the Orc, & the Princess: Part 6 (special preview)

Darkness settled before I even saw the palace. What I once felt was my favorite place in the world looked like the maw of a beast by the time I arrived. The shadow of the palace was jagged, and the inky blackness of it made me see fingers reaching out to grab me and prod me, possibly claw me to shreds.

Inside I put the horse away and I went to my armory to fetch my favorite sword. I left it behind, and I am glad I did. I took it off the wall and made my way through the silent palace. Everyone I had ever loved was lying to me. All my life they had looked me in the face and told me nothing but the most absolute lies.

My father was not my father. My mother was a conspirator to kill a king. Brevalan had removed himself from my side and saw eye to eye with a man who possibly wanted me dead. My father promised me a throne, but all this time he was watching me to see if I was anything like Julain. Even the shadow man had been a mirage. I lied to myself, thinking he was possibly my equal. But that was all smoke, all my ideas placed upon a blank canvas.

I stopped short outside of my parents’ chambers. I had my hand on the door, but I hesitated to open it. I looked down the hall and saw Bronn’s door was cracked. I walked to that door and peered inside. A small lantern was lit and hung above his bed so I could see his soft cheeks and pouted lips in sleep. He was so small, but he was the crux of my problems.

I walked inside, standing beside his bed. He slept while my mind raced with the most awful things. If he hadn’t of been born, none of this would matter. I could be ruler. I could replace Falko. There would be no question who was rightful. There shouldn’t have even been a question now.

“Leo,” a voice whispered in urgency behind me.

I looked back, seeing Falko standing there in his nightclothes. His eyes were wide and frightened as he looked at me. “Darling, when did you get home?”

I made no reaction to his presence.

He stepped into the room quietly. “It’s late. You must be exhausted.”

“Are you scared of me?” I growled at him.

He stood perfectly still. “Leopoldine.”

I pushed my hair away from my face, nearly ripping it out at the root. “I asked you a question, Falko. Are you scared of me?” I hissed.

“Falko?” He chuckled.

I stiffened my jaw.

“Oh darling,” he breathed. “I knew this was a bad idea.”

“You’re damn right it was. All these years…when were you going to do it? Huh? I guess it would have been too suspicious to do it when he was born!” I pointed back at Bronn, still blissfully asleep as we spoke in hushed, harsh tones.

“You’re sick,” Falko whispered. “You need to go-”

“Go where?” I laughed. “You’ve been waiting for this haven’t you? Waiting for when my real father appears in me!”

He turned to stone, standing there with not a hint of expression upon him.

“I’m right aren’t I?”

Falko brought his hand to his mouth and closed his eyes. In the shadows I could barely make out his face at all.

“Admit it!” I cried out.

“Leo?”

His small, soft voice stabbed through me, sharper than any arrow or balde that had touched my skin.

“Leo! You’re home!”

I looked back to see Bronn sitting up in bed with a huge smile on his face. It quickly faded when he saw me.

“Leo? What’s wrong?”

“Stay in bed, son,” Falko’s voice tremored. “Your sister has been away so long she got confused.”

Bronn didn’t listen, he got out of bed anyway and walked over to me. He hugged onto my leg and wouldn’t let go.

“I miss you so much!”

My eyes burned and I patted the top of his head. “Go back to bed, Bronn. I’ll see you later, okay?”

He continued to hug, only letting go once he was happy. He crawled back into bed and I tucked him in while Falko watched fromt he doorway. I kissed Bronn’s forehead and watched him beam.

“I’m glad you’re home,” he whispered.