Brotherhood

Chapter 18

Amy didn't get very far before Charles took her by the elbow and pulled her outside into the gardens. Never again in her life did she want to spend time with him alone, but it looked as if she had no choice with no one around to save her, no excuse she could possibly make to escape.

"I don't know what lies that werewolf is filling in your head," Charles started as they took a turn around the garden, "but that's all they are. They're lies. You can't be serious about wanting to marry him."

"I'm absolutely serious," Amy responded. She sighed before turning to Charles. Even though she didn't like him, he probably didn't deserve this sort of treatment. "I'm sorry I didn't talk with you about this first before I made my declaration. This is what I think is best for my kingdom. Even though I do not believe that you're a good fit here in Colmar doesn't mean that you won't be a good fit somewhere else. I'm sorry, Charles. But this is just how it's going to be."

Charles' face contorted in rage as he took a step toward her, using his height to intimidate her. "That is not how it's going to be. In my kingdom, I'm captain of the guard. If you don't reinstate our engagement, I will bring war to Colmar. Mark my words. I will bring war."

He huffed and turned on his heel, leaving Amy standing alone in the gardens with fear icing over her heart. She didn't know what to do. No matter which way she turned, there was going to be war, and either way, there was going to be a lot of bloodshed, most likely including her and her parents. There had to be some other way...

Amy slumped down on a stone bench beside a row of roses and put her face in her hands. She so desperately wanted her parents to like Geric. What if they never liked him? It was possible that the wedding would never happen let alone Geric being claimed as next in line to be king. And they only had six more days left. What if they couldn't do it?

So much worry and so much doubt churned in her mind, and no matter which way she turned, she faced even more worry and doubt.

"Look!" a little girl gasped while pointing through the bars of the gate and holding her mother's hand at the same time. "It's the wolf princess!"

Amy chuckled softly as she waved at them before making her way back inside the castle. But then she got a glorious idea. Her father could never say no to a leisurely horseback ride. And if Geric came along...

"Daddy!" Amy called as she ran right past Geric who seemed to be on his way upstairs and into the next room where her father sat at the window of the parlor, watching the sunset. "Do you want to go on a trail ride with me and Geric? I know you've been under a lot of stress lately and I thought that might help you unwind."

His eyes were soft as he glanced up at Amy, but then his gaze moved toward the door where Geric stood and his eyes hardened immediately. "Not if that werewolf is coming. Besides. He can go exercise himself when the moon comes up."

"Come on, father," Amy giggled, not wanting to take him seriously. He had a soft heart, it was sometimes just difficult to dig deep enough to find it. "Geric won't bite." She cringed at what she said but continued as if she didn't say it at all. "I need to practice riding more on Fox, and you're the best riding partner I know."

The king huffed as he stared out the window again. "Fine, I will accompany you on horseback, but the werewolf stays in the back. I don't want to see his face if I don't have to."

"Thank you, father!" Amy clapped before grabbing his hand and helping him to his feet. "I've already sent the guards to saddle the horses, so they should be ready when we arrive. Get your riding gear on and we'll meet you out there."