Honor the Throne - Part 2 (EXCERPT ONLY)

I

Abbie was distraught. Strong men hurriedly dragged her from the cathedral where a merry celebration had been tarnished. She was tossed onto a horse-drawn cart and surrounded by strangers in the dark.
"Perhaps, His Majesty will let us have our pleasure before you die." A burly guard spoke with longing. His fingers skimmed across Abbie's jaw.
She flinched at his touch. "Please, I am innocent."
"There is nothing innocent about you." Another guard sneered at her. "You are a filthy animal. How many innocent children have you killed for your satanic rituals? Your kind is evil."
"Richard, you are speaking of fable." The first guard chuckled.
"Shut your mouths." An older guard spoke with authority. "We cannot touch the girl. We will deliver her to the Tower of Evergreen and be done."
The journey seemed endless. Abbie's sobs never quieted. One of the guards struck her across the face. She begged for her parents and was answered with foul threats. When they arrived at the tower, she was dragged inside and locked in a dark and damp chamber with stone walls. There were no windows.
"Someone, let me out of here!" Abbie cried hysterically. She passed the night kneeling with her hands clasped beneath her chin. Her prayers were sobbed.
A young man with porcelain skin and dark hair entered the chamber. He exuded a regality, although his clothing was that of a commoner. "I am Sir Brandon, the inquisitor. I have come to get your confession."
Abbie's eyes widened. "I am innocent! I have nothing to confess."
Sir Brandon clasped his hands behind his back and gave a single shake of his head. "A witness has identified you. Your punishment may be less harsh if you divulge the truth. If you need more time, I will leave you be for now, but I will return for the truth from you." The sound of the heavy, iron door slamming shut caused Abbie to stiffen.
Carter waited in the corridor. "She is subservient. You can make her falsely confess." It was the morning after the poisoning. Carter had managed to sneak away from the court to visit Brandon. He needed to further his plot.
"What do you want me to do?" Brandon questioned. He had been given his position because of Charles's favor. He was eager to please the man's family.
"Torture her if you must. We need her to be guilty." Carter spoke carelessly. He turned leaving the dark corridor.
~~*~~
Thomas remained awake all of the night, pleading for the king to listen to him. Maxwell stayed by Mary's side as the physician worked tirelessly over her. Cadhla locked herself away. Byron refused to speak to anyone, even his new wife.
"You have to get him alone," Christopher advised his uncle. "His Majesty will not see reason until Chelsea is no longer in his ear."
"He will not leave Mary." Thomas's voice was grave. He sat at his writing table void of hope.
"Write a letter. I will deliver it." Christopher offered desperately. They had to save Abbie.
"A letter is no use! We must find who is truly responsible and force him to confess." The aging man stood abruptly with a deep scowl upon his face.
Christopher watched his uncle warily. "How will we do so?"
Thomas turned to Christopher with narrowed eyes. "Find the cook and bring him here. Have Byron go with you."
"We will save her," Christopher vowed before taking his leave from the chamber.
Byron was pacing the corridors of the palace in thought. He knew the king's history with those who crossed him. Those persons were deemed guilty and ordered to be executed. The king was a fair man unless he, or someone he loved, was wronged. There was no one he loved more than his daughter.
"Byron." Dana nervously fidgeted with her hands as she looked around the corridor. "Can I speak with you?"
"Not now. I need to-"
"It is about Abbie." Dana interrupted him. She turned to a darkened corner and motioned for Byron to follow her.
"What is it?" Byron demanded.
"I know who paid the cook."
Desperation flooded Byron's bones. "Tell me now."
"I saw Carter hand the man a coin purse."
"Your husband?" Byron clarified. Dana nodded her head. "You must be mistaken. Why would he poison Mary? She is his sister's child."
Dana needed Byron to believe her. It may be the only way they could help Abbie. "Carter and Chelsea want to be rid of your sister. I believe Carter poisoned Mary to blame Abbie for the act. He knows the king is not lenient to traitors. Abbie will be killed if she is found guilty. Carter plotted with Sir Brandon. If we do not hurry, they will force her to confess."
Byron wildly shook his head. "Why would Chelsea agree to her daughter being poisoned?"
"She feels threatened by Abbie. You, of all people, should know that she will do anything to secure her own future. Do not be blinded by your familial ties. Who do you love more, your cousin or your sister?"
"Is it such a tale to believe?" Christopher spoke having followed them into the corner.
Dana turned with a start. "I did not see you." Her frantic eyes looked passed him.
Christopher held up his hand. "I am alone. Carter will not harm you or George." He promised her.
Byron scowled at his cousin. "Do you believe your siblings are capable of such evil?"
"I have seen Chelsea and Carter plot ridiculous things in an attempt to scorn an enemy. There is nothing they are not willing to do." Christopher spoke with certainty. He had suspected his brother's role in this trouble since Abbie was accused. Now, it was time to find evidence to present to the king.
~~*~~
​Chelsea was surprised when the king summoned her to his bedchamber. They had both spent much of their day watching of Mary. The child was so still. Maxwell's summons caught Chelsea unaware. Hurriedly she disrobed down to her night shift. A maid placed a scarlet over-gown around the mistress's shoulders. Her hair was released from its pinning and arranged to curtain her face. Chelsea followed hastily after the guard as he led the way to the king's bedchamber. She inhaled deeply as the doors were opened. She stepped into private space on the opulent floor that she had kneeled upon many times before. Maxwell stood before his large bed already disrobed for bed. He did not acknowledge her entrance. He stood quietly facing the burning fireplace. Contemplation marred his handsome face. One of his hands stroked his chin. The other was tightly clenched at his side.
His mistress went to him placing her own hand over his clenched one gently. "My love, you summoned me." His eyes tightened but he said nothing. "Is there something you need from me?"
Suddenly Maxwell looked down upon her. A sigh heavier than any she had heard before escaped his tautened lips. "Chelsea, we may lose her. We may lose our girl." His voice was heavy filled with masked fear. "Mary is my only living child." He gripped her slim waist in a fierce grip. "She is my only living child, and someone has tried to take her from me."
Chelsea framed his face in her hands. "What do you need?" Her voice was soft. It was sign of surrender. She would surrender herself to Maxwell. She would do whatever he needed of her.
Maxwell accepted Chelsea's surrender without a word. He yanked her into his chest smothering her mouth a severe kiss. He consumed her. His hands working with precision untying the over-gown and pushing it from her shoulders to the floor. Chelsea could not get enough of him. She was tired from barely sleeping for worry over Mary. Her head ached with fear. None of that mattered anymore. She wanted the king. No, she needed Maxwell to handle her body in a way he had not in so long. She happily allowed him to pull the night shift over her head. Maxwell tossed the garment over his shoulder without a care. He stepped back from her his dark and hungry eyes taking in her naked body. She reached for his sleeping shirt untying the laces at the neck. Boldly she gathered the bottom of the garment in her hands and pushed it up his body. Maxwell took over shedding his only article of clothing as swiftly as he had gotten rid of hers. Chelsea ached with desire as her eyes fell upon his naked form. He was perfection right before her eyes. His chest was wide and faintly chiseled. A sign of his active life despite the duties of his throne. Dark curls circled his navel marking the path down his narrow hips to startling cock that Chelsea knew would fill her to the brink. Her hands wrapped around his engorged member massaging it sensually. Her pink tongue flicked out of her mouth coating her lips. She lowered herself to her knees puckering her mouth around the tip of him. Maxwell hissed intertwining his hand in her hair to guide himself further into her eager mouth. His rocked his hips back and forth feeling him grow bigger and harder inside her mouth. His hand took control of her head moving it harshly along his member. If the sensation was painful, then Chelsea did not complain. She took him until his body was tight. He could feel himself edging closer to ignorant bliss.
Maxwell placed is hands on Chelsea's shoulder pushing her away. "I will not waste my seed in your throat." His voice was husky as he pulled her to her feet and walked with her to his bed. His hands gripped her waist tightly as he roughly placed her on the bed.
Chelsea gasped as his cock filled her. She watched at Maxwell rutted inside of her. Sweat coated his chest dripping onto her heated skin. He felt deeper inside of her than he ever had before. His mannerisms were different than before. Usually Maxwell started slow and calm with Chelsea before allowing his desire to overcome him and thrusting with abandon. He did not waste time with slow movements tonight. His hands held her arms above her heard. The king had gone mad. He bucked and bucked filling his bedchamber with the sound of skin slapping skin. Chelsea moaned and cried out at the feeling. Her head lulled back in the comfort of his bed. He moved so roughly idly she thought he would split her in two. This was not a man wanting to indulge in physical love. This was man determined to sire another child. Maxwell worked Chelsea's body until his seed spilled deep inside of her. His fear of losing Mary blinded his reason. He had been without his children before. It had been a dark and depressing time for him. When the grief lifted, Maxwell vowed he would never feel that pain again. It was all he thought of as he gave a final thrust shoving his seed further inside of Chelsea. He lifted and heaved himself off of her spasming body. He rolled onto his back. His chest rose and fell with stunted breaths.
Chelsea clasped her breasts. "Oh, Maxwell I love you." She panted. He did not say it back. He said nothing as his eyes fluttered closed. Moments later his breaths evened, and light snores sounded. Chelsea moved closer to him laying her head on his chest. "I love you and I will be your queen." She spoke the vow allowed willing it to be true. No matter how far it seemed he had drifted, Maxwell always turned to her in his time of need. That would never change.
~~*~~
Many days passed before the king allowed himself to part from Mary. The physician promised that she would recover. She laid still with soft breaths. Maxwell placed a gentle kiss upon her forehead and departed the nursery.
"The girl remains in the Tower of Evergreen," Charles informed the king waiting in the corridor for the ruler. "She refuses to confess. Sir Brandon continues to question her. My brother asks for permission to visit her."
Maxwell scratched the growth on his chin. "I did not order Sir Brandon to question her. Why is he doing so?"
"Perhaps, Your Majesty would like to convene a panel to organize the traitor's execution?" Carter suggested.​
Maxwell's eyes darkened. "Has there been an investigation that I am unaware of?"
"No Sire, there has been no investigation." Carter answered the question warily.
"I did not think there had been although there needs to be. Abbie was in my presence all of the mass and most of the reception. She journeyed to the cathedral with me along with her parents. How could Abbie have slipped poison into a pot in the kitchen without me noticing her absence?" The king looked to both Remington men with a steady gaze. "Abbie is not guilty of this act. I shall speak with Lord Thomas personally." Maxwell marched to his study sending one of his housemen to fetch Thomas. He waited impatiently. His mind was clouded with thoughts.
Thomas entered under much stress. "Your Majesty, Abigail is innocent. The cook was bought. My daughter would never harm anyone."
Maxwell let out an exhausted expel of breath. "Save your breath. I believe there is a bigger plot at play, orchestrated with the hopes that Abbie would face harm or even death due to this accusation. She will remain at the tower for her own protection. My court cannot be trusted. You may visit her. Provide her comfort, but I will not order her release until I know who poisoned Mary."
Thomas hung his head. "Thank you for your generosity." He was disappointed. This was not the result he hoped for, but it would have to be enough for now.
~~*~~
Carter composed himself before entering the nursery hours later. The presence chamber was deserted except for a single nurse. Carter continued to the largest bedchamber meant to house young princes and princesses. He found Chelsea kneeled beside Mary's cot with dampened cheeks. She stroked the girl's hair.
"How is she fairing?" Carter questioned. Chelsea refused to answer him. "Come now, sister. You cannot fault me."
"You did not say you would poison my daughter!" Chelsea cried. "She is just an innocent. She could have died!" Her face brightened with anger.
"I promised that I would get rid of your problem. I have done so."
Chelsea scoffed with disgust. "You harmed Mary. She is the one thing keeping me in His Majesty's favor. How could you?"
"Do not be dramatic. My plot is working! The girl will be executed by the next Sunday." Carter spoke confidently.
Chelsea's nostrils flared. "Pray that you are correct, brother. If this plot fails and my child has been harmed for nothing, then I will never forgive you."
Carter looked to the cot. "She appears well. She shall recover in no time."
Without warning, Chelsea lashed out striking his face harshly. "She should not be recovering! She should be unharmed."
Carter grimaced from his sister's blow. "The king has ordered an investigation."
Chelsea's body stiffened. "Does that mean he does not believe Abbie is guilty?" She demanded.
Carter gave a heavy sigh. "He has said so."
"Your plot is rubbish! I must go to him."
"Now?" Carter questioned while following his sister as she hastily left the nursery.
"Yes now, you daft man." Chelsea angrily spat.
"No, do not go. My plot will prevail." The desperate man vowed before leaving the nursery hurriedly. He retrieved his stallion from the stables. The voice of his brother caught his attention.
"Do not dare to run. We have paid you for the truth." Christopher ordered as he nudged forward a slouched man.
"A generous offer considering the dirt on your hands," Byron added as the men neared the stables. Carter fell into the shadows. His chest tightened. The slouched man was the cook.
"I will tell you the truth only when you promise to spare me." The cook insisted. Carter silently followed.
"We have given you gold!" Christopher growled raising his hand to strike the man. "You will take what you are given or die," he threatened. They were inside of the palace, now walking in the direction of the noble apartments. Without delay, Carter changed courses seeking out Chelsea. This would not end well unless the whole lot of them were taken care of, including his traitorous brother.
Byron forced the cook inside of his family's apartments. "Come on, you scoundrel."
Thomas was waiting. "Ah, you have returned, and you have brought a guest." His eyes narrowed on the man as Byron and Christopher forced him into a chair and bound his hands and legs. "Tell us who paid you."
The cook frantically shook his head. "You will have me hanged."
Byron slapped the man. "You shall die either way."
The cook gave a humorless cackle. "Do you truly want to know?"
Christopher paced around the man. "I want to hear you say it. I know who gave you the coins. He will take you down with him." The three Remington men watched carefully as the cook debated. They could see the moment he decided to cooperate. A heavy breath of relief fell from Thomas's lips. He could save his daughter.