THE BLOOD ROYALS Book 2: Long Live The Queen!

Chapter Thirteen: Conspiracy

Carperia
Queen Mother's POV
It's been hours since Cathan told us that Reli could be dead. We still haven't gotten any news. Am I being paranoid by thinking someone is picking us off one by one? What is really going on?

If Reli is dead, Cathan is the only one left. I'm not counting Nilsa. Her children have a different name from the House of Kaelan. Besides, I don't want her to become queen.

My mind can't help but go back to my wedding night. Events leading up to my marriage to the king were swift. Dargan had just subdued Cray Thera. He was at the height of his glory when he decided to take a wife. The king could have had anyone he pleased but he decided to take a wife from the Chrystal Isles, a place here people were not fans of the monarchy. Out of all the women, he chose me.

I had never met him before that day when I found him in my home. I didn't sleep in my father's house that night. He left with me. Nothing was even packed. He was in a hurry. Dargan was a schemer. He liked to plot and sometimes it was borderline wicked or selfish. Whatever he wanted, he took. I was something he wanted and he didn't shy away from showing it.

On my wedding night, he made it clear that he wants an heir and it is all he cares about. I may have had career ambitions but like any other woman, I wanted love. I wanted my first time to be special. When duty is above the matters of the heart, well, let's just say that duty wins.

A month later, I was pregnant. When Cathan was born, I didn't get to hold him. He was taken straight to his father before I got a chance to hold him. When Reli came along, the kingdom had a prince and it was cause for celebration. Thinking he's dead is crashing my heart but what can I do if not hope that there's a slight chance my grandson survived? Did he?

"Queen Mother."

"Takara. Is there news?" I asked her.

"Nothing. Should we go to Saine Neane? Or maybe that cursed island? What if he's stranded and he's barely holding on? He can't be dead!"

She's still hysterical.

There's a difference between Takara and I. She can't handle stress or pressure. She unravels quickly. She also struggles to accept hard truths. Yes, there's a slim to impossible chance that Reli is alive. But there's a bigger chance he's dead.

"Don't do that to yourself. Sit calmly and wait. Reli is a highly trained soldier. If he survived the explosion, he will survive that little island."

"I want to ask Rowan to help."

"Rowan?"

"He's closer than we are. Stephen has advised that with the current events it would be in our best interests to stay in Carperia. It's for our own security. I think Cathan is planning to go to Saine Neane anyway."

"He's hard headed. Of course he will go." I looked at a photograph of Reli and I. It was taken a few hours after he was born. It was one of the happiest days of my life. We have always been close. I think I love him more than my own son. I think I do. "Dear, be honest. Are you sleeping with Rowan?"

That question has been puzzling me. Takara is not bothered by Cathan's unfaithfulness. I don't see a scenario that explains it better than her having someone else in her life. 

She suddenly moved away from me and got on her feet. "What?"

"It's a horrible time to bring it up but are you?"

"What would make you say that?"

"There's a lot an old woman can see from her window. During the festival, he kissed you. You pushed him away obviously but I saw it."