A Usurper's Cause (Book #4)

Chapter Thirty

Mercia sure had a lot to say. Or maybe she liked listening to her own voice. Either way, Eldon found himself more interested in the butterflies fluttering through the hedge maze. He flinched when she touched his elbow. Then he moved his arm and arched an eyebrow as he looked at her.

"I apologize," she said, giggling. "I believe you were not listening to me."

Eldon frowned and stopped walking. They turned to each other, and she smiled sweetly.

"Perhaps I was talking too much about myself," she said. "Tell me something about yourself, Eldon. How is it being the captain? I imagine it is as strenuous as being a king."

"Yeah, don't let His Majesty hear ya say that." Eldon continued toward the fountain. Mercia quickly caught up with him and looped her arm with his.

"Oh?" she laughed. "You do not sound too fond of King Udolf. Don't let him hear that either." She winked at him.

Eldon sighed. "No, it ain't that. It's just..." He spotted the bench up ahead, but he stopped and faced Mercia again. She released his arm and beamed at him.

"I ain't gonna lie to you. This was his idea." Much to his surprise, Merica's smile widened.

"I know," she said, nodding.

"You do?"

"Why, of course! I am the one who informed him that I"—Mercia trailed her fingers up his arm—"quite fancy you, Eldon. I did even before this. We knew each other briefly, and I envied Elouise, because you only had eyes for her." She withdrew her hand and scowled. "She had everything she could possibly want, and she appreciated none of it."

Eldon tilted his head and blinked.

"Daisy and Ofelia are too soft," she went on, making her way toward the bench. "They do not understand that Aristol deserved a stronger leader than Elouise. She couldn't handle the responsibility. That is why King Udolf so easily took her place." Merica sat down and patted the spot next to her. Eldon dragged himself over.

Mercia scooted even closer to him. "For the most part, she was kind to us. I don't wish her any more harm, but things are better this way."

Eldon furrowed his eyebrows and stared at the ground. Mercia tried to touch him again, but someone cleared their throat. Eldon looked up and found Leanne standing in front of the path to the ash tree. She had her hands on her hips and her eyes narrowed like she was ready to give him a lecture.

"Sorry to interrupt," she said, nodding at Merica. "I need a word with the captain."

Eldon glanced at Mercia and saw the strain in her smile. Then she stood and excused herself before walking off into the maze. Leanne plopped onto the bench, staring at Eldon with that same accusing glare.

"You can't be serious," she hissed.

"How 'bout you mind yer business." Eldon leaped onto his feet, but she—of course—followed suit. He hurried into the path she'd come from.

"What's it gonna take for you to remember?" she demanded.

"I already know what I care to know 'bout," he shot back. "Nothin' else matters."

"Yer friends matter, Eldon." Leanne rushed in front of him, forcing him to an abrupt halt. He glowered at her, but that hardly fazed her. She then pointed a finger at his face. "None of us were ever the enemy, 'specially not Elouise."

Eldon rolled his eyes. "Why makes ya think I'm gonna believe you? Why should I?"

She gestured between them. "We're from the same place. We both came from Ilsen. I've known you since we were just kids, Eldon. I know ya best and we've always trusted each other. You don't remember, but you need to trust me. They've got you fooled."