Chapter 3

Salvador pushed Evelyn aside and started to undo my chains.

He looked up and snapped at Rowan.

“Cecilia is a princess! How dare you lay a hand on her?

“Go find a healer. Cecilia and the High Priestess need treatment.”

Rowan had barely taken two steps when Evelyn blocked his way.

She caught Salvador's sleeve, tears spilling down her face like she was the one who'd been wronged.

“Salvador, just let me explain. Cecilia said she was going to strip you of your title.

“You're the Crown Prince. Why do you keep letting her push you around?”

Salvador stopped. Evelyn saw the change in his face and pushed harder.

“Salvador, you've been wounded so many times fighting for this kingdom. I've never forgotten that.

“Cecilia's part of this kingdom too, but she's never shown you a shred of gratitude. And now she wants to take your title away!”

I forced my bleeding hand up and turned to Salvador.

“She knocked me out, stomped on my hand, and made me sign that agreement.

“Salvador, this is all an act. Evelyn is playing you!”

Salvador wasn't listening. He had already let go of me.

Evelyn seized the moment and held up the agreement for him to see.

“This is a ceasefire treaty between the light elves and the dark elves. All Cecilia has to do is marry Lord Morvane.

“In return, he'll give us three crystal mines and more resources than we could ever use.

“She put her thumbprint on it herself. Then she changed her mind and threatened to have you thrown out of the kingdom.”

Evelyn took Salvador's hand, the one wearing the heir's ring.

“Salvador, you have to keep a firm grip on your power.

“If Cecilia decides tomorrow that she likes one of your brothers better, you'll have to give up all your lands!”

Salvador frowned and fixed me with a cold stare.

“Cecilia, are you really going to take my title away?”

I rushed to explain.

“Evelyn attacked me and the High Priestess first. The High Priestess is still bleeding.

“Please, Salvador, help her first. She's going to die.”

There was no warmth left in the way he looked at me.

This wasn't the brother who'd spoiled me. He wasn't the good, fair-minded elf I knew.

“Answer me first!”

His voice made me shiver, but I looked him straight in the eye.

“If you choose to protect Evelyn, I'll ask Father to take your title away!”

Evelyn threw herself into his arms, sobbing her heart out.

“Salvador, did you hear that? Cecilia has always looked down on you.

“She has no respect for you at all, and you're going to be king!”

Salvador gripped the agreement, his face darkening.

“You put your thumbprint on this agreement. So in three days, Evelyn and I will hand you over to Lord Morvane.

“Evelyn is my wife, Cecilia. You need to apologize to her now!”

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Salvador was completely on Evelyn's side.

“She kidnapped me. She hurt the High Priestess. You can't twist this around!”

Salvador looked down his nose at me.

“I know. Evelyn shouldn't have had anyone lay a hand on you.

“But she's my wife. She has the authority to discipline both you and the High Priestess.”

He shoved me away. I slammed into the corner of a table, splattering blood from my wounds onto him.

I dug my fingers into the edge of the table and pulled myself back to my feet.

“You'd lay hands on me too? For her?”

Salvador didn't so much as blink.

Evelyn clung to his arm and fanned the flames.

“She's going to ruin you. She'll go running to the king and make sure you're never crowned.”

He stepped closer and poured his magic into my chains, binding me even tighter.

“You're staying right here until I'm crowned!”

Salvador headed for the door, then turned back to Evelyn and the guards.

“Keep an eye on Cecilia. Once my coronation is done, hand her over to Morvane.”

Watching him walk away without looking back made my eyes sting.

Salvador's betrayal hurt a thousand times more than my physical wounds ever could.