Heart of Stone

Chapter 5

A hand pulled her back, Patrice turned to Evander. His face was sincere as the pleading eyes looked at her.

"I ask for just a few minutes to make a couple of alterations."

Patrice nodded and returned to the throne room. Evander moved to the table and picked up the book.

"Your attention, please."

The clerics stopped what they were doing and turned to the prince. When he had their attention, Evander cleared his throat. He didn't like having to go behind his brother's back, but Evander knew that Jarek was stubborn and would fight him every single step of the way. This was his duty. He was charged with the care of Patrice while she was here. It was unsaid, but he knew that it was clear that his duty extended to caring for his brother too. After all, the crystal had bound itself to Patrice and if it didn't return to Jarek, he would die. They might argue and continually butt heads, but Evander loved his brother and wanted him to be in this world, alive and healthy. If he was in love with a wonderful woman, that would be just as incredible, in Evander's opinion.

"We will conduct a vote on the passage, and if you believe that it applies to the situation. Raise your hands if you agree that Jarek and Patrice are bound by the stones intention to make them lovers."

Patrice was not surprised that they all raised their hands. She sat down, waiting for these alterations to happen. Patrice didn't know what they were or what the prince had planned, but after hearing the first vote, she knew that it would not be pleasant.

"Keep them raised if you agree to the statement that Jarek will die if their union is not completed in marriage and fornication."

Evander glanced at Patrice, giving her a grim smile.

"Sorry," he murmured.

Patrice rolled her eyes. She was sick of this conversation and this world. She was also annoyed that not one of the clerics lowered their hands.

"Thank you. Please, lower your hands. If this is your vote, then you will undoubtedly agree that we must move them in a direction that adheres to the natural law of what the stone wants. Fate has determined this and wielded its magic through the stone. We have it written in this book that when a stakalis stone leaves its owner and binds itself to another, that fate has intervened in their lives, and they must join to become lovers. For any of that to happen, we must remove the obstacles that hinder natural progression. The largest obstacle is in the garden with the king right now. I ask you to raise your hands once again if you agree that Adella Remec should be removed from all aspects of the king's life."

Patrice was stunned to see their hands rise quickly. It was unanimous and obvious that Adella was not liked. Patrice wasn't surprised. Their interactions were limited, but in each of them, Adella had been quite rude to her.

"It is done."

Evander gave the guards at the door a firm nod. With a heavy stomp of their feet, they turned to cross the hall and enter the private courtyard. Seconds had barely passed before her loud protests could be heard. Then Jarek started. He stormed into the throne room, his wrath ready to be unleashed.

"How dare you." he hissed a heavy growl.

"If you are going to start something, brother, I would suggest that you don't. The kings were notified that the clerics found the passage and are waiting for word of your acceptance. If I do not report to them, then they will come here to investigate. Anything that you do against me, Patrice or the natural law of what the stone wants will see you stripped of your title. Accept that your life has turned in a new direction and that you cannot change it."