Would Segreti still wish to live in their kingdom? What of the trust and friendship between him and Khalon? Segreti had looked so hurt and angry when he’d met Khalon’s gaze. What if their relationship was forever lost? Would Ezra be forced to choose between his kingdom and his love?
“Ugh, this is torture!” Ezra buried his face in his pillow. He refused to dwell on this a moment longer. Instead, he dwelled on it until the sun rose, its soft light filtering in through his windows, announcing a new day. “Bloody hell,” he said through a groan. Forcing himself to get up, he went to his washroom, grunting at his reflection. His eyes were puffy and red, his hair sticking up in all directions. He was a mess. The minutes seemed to go by like droplets of molasses in their near stillness.
Showered and dressed, he left his chambers and skipped the dining hall. He couldn’t so much as think of ingesting anything. The sound of revelry floated up through an open window in the hall, and he frowned. Outside, the festival carried on as normal with everyone eating, drinking, and joining in the festivities. Perhaps some fresh air might help ease his stormy thoughts. He had wandered the gardens for what seemed like an eternity when he spotted a lone figure sitting on a stone bench, his chin lifted to the sky and his eyes closed. An Orso.
Ezra approached and was greeted with a sad smile as he stopped in front of the Orso, who stood and bowed.
“You’re Ezra, the healer,” the Orso said. “I’m Fausti.”
“Oh!” So this was young Fausti. He appeared as young as Segreti mentioned, though nearly as big, with handsome features and amber eyes with creases at the corners that showed he smiled often. “Segreti often speaks of you.”
Fausti blinked at him. “He does?” His cheeks went pink. “I fear you must think me a cad.”
“On the contrary. He speaks very highly of you, of how honorable and good you are. He’s clearly quite fond of you.”
“Oh.” Fausti beamed brightly. “He’s always been good to me. A grumpy older brother of sorts.” His smile dimmed. “And now there is nothing I can do to return his kindness. The Soldati king won’t even see me to plead Segreti’s case.” He dropped onto the bench with a frustrated sigh. “How can Queen Verity allow this injustice?”
“It’s only for a day. He’ll be with us again very soon.” Ezra wasn’t sure who he attempted to console, Fausti or himself.
Fausti’s frown grew deep as he regarded Ezra. “A day?”
“Yes. Until, um, the matter is cleared.”
Fausti shook his head, his expression puzzled. “Then the trial is cancelled?”
“Trial?” Ezra’s blood turned to ice. “What trial?”
“Segreti will be on trial for treason against the Soldati. Word is, a plot to murder the king was discovered by his second this morning. Rayner intercepted a letter from Segreti to one of his supposed conspirators, a letter which is to be presented as evidence against Segreti. They say it describes his hesitancy in carrying through with the assassination, as circumstances have changed.”
“Lies!” Ezra refused to believe it. Segreti plotting to murder Khalon? Absolute madness! “Excuse me. I must go.”
“He would never do what he’s been accused of,” Fausti insisted, his eyes glassy. “Segreti is the best of all of us. Believe in him.”
“I do. I will see to this. I promise you.” Spinning on his heels, Ezra ran for the castle, but instead of searching out Khalon or Rayner, he made straight for the winding stone staircase that led to the small prison beneath the castle. The cells were all empty but one. Segreti sat on the cot, his broad shoulders slumped and head lowered, fingers laced between his knees. His clothes had been brought to him, the same clothes he’d worn in Ezra’s bedchamber before they’d made love. His hair fell over his face, shielding him from Ezra’s view as he approached.
“Segreti.”
“My love.” Segreti lifted his head at the sound of Ezra’s voice and smiled, but it quickly faded. “You shouldn’t have come.”
“How could I not?” Ezra held on to the cold bars, standing as close to them as possible, trying his best to be as near to Segreti as he could. Segreti stood and came to him. He placed his hands over Ezra’s.
“Then you’ve heard.”
“It’s not true. I know it isn’t.”
“Your king believes otherwise,” Segreti growled.
“I’ll speak to him. Demand your release. He can’t possibly believe this farce.”
“He has evidence.” Segreti all but spat the word.
“Did you write it?”
“Of course not.”
“Then you’ll be found innocent.” Khalon was reasonable, always had been. His compassion was renowned throughout the land. Ezra refused to believe he would condemn Segreti so quickly and ruthlessly. Something sinister was at work here; Ezra felt it down to his soul.
“You can’t be so foolish.” Segreti released Ezra and returned to the cot, where he resumed his seat.
“What?”
“Khalon will never release me. I’m a threat to him and his realm. He won’t trust me again after this.” He closed his eye and shook his head. “I should never have come into this damnable kingdom.”
“Why did you?”
Segreti glanced in his direction. “It no longer matters.”
Ezra flinched. “And what of me? Do I no longer matter?”
“You were a fairy tale,” Segreti replied hoarsely. “One I should’ve known better than to believe in.”
“You don’t mean that.” Ezra’s words were almost a whisper. How much more could his heart take?
“You… you would do best to forget me.”
“How can you say such a thing?”
“It’s over, Ezra.” Segreti motioned around him. “My fate lies in the hands of your king.” His gaze grew hard. “And you’ve seen for yourself where it’s led me.”
Ezra gasped. “You can’t possibly compare Khalon to that bastard.”
Segreti released a heavy, weary sigh. “No, but that doesn’t mean I can trust him.”
“Please don’t give up. We’ve—”
“You should go.”
Ezra sucked in a sharp breath, tears stinging the backs of his eyes. That was it? This was as far as Segreti’s love went? “I was wrong.”
Segreti glanced at him but remained silent, his expression guarded.
It pained Ezra to say the words, but he forced them out regardless. “When I said you could never disappoint me.” He angrily wiped at the tear that rolled down his cheek. “All this talk of mates and love was simply pretty words. You never meant them.”
Segreti closed his eye, his brows furrowed as he averted his face. “Ezra, please.”
“No. You lied, General. You told me you read those stories because you could lose yourself in the notion that someone might love another so completely they’d face any threat, no matter how great.”
“Please, stop.” Segreti’s pleas were barely audible, but Ezra heard them clearly as if he’d shouted them. He heard the words not spoken.