Page 15 of The Broken Prince

She stepped away.

I grabbed her arm and forced her back to me. “Avice—”

“Please don’t do this to him—for me.”

My fingers left her skin as I forced my hand to my side.

“Please…”

“You shouldn’t have to right his wrongs, Avice.”

“And he shouldn’t lose his job for this.”

“He can work in the fields or shovel manure—”

“Ian.”

“The fact that I haven’t killed him or exiled him from HeartHolme is enough mercy. You should be thanking me right now.”

Her small hand covered her face, hid her little nose from view. She inhaled a deep breath, playing a game she couldn’t win. “Ian…please.” She looked up at me with those pleading eyes, eyes I used to stare into when we made love every night.

It tugged on my heartstrings, as always. “I’ll return his title—”

“Thank you—”

“With two conditions.”

Now her eyes were guarded once more.

“First, he must kneel and apologize.”

Uncertainty flashed across her eyes, like she knew that would be a hard sell.

“And second, you end your relationship and work on our marriage with me.”

“You can’t be serious—”

“I’m dead serious, Avice.”

“Our situation shouldn’t have compromised his position in the first place—”

“And he shouldn’t have fucked with me, Avice. He may be a general, but your husband is the fucking crown.” I felt my voice rise again, felt the anger shake my limbs that she preferred someone of lesser title over the man who would be king if Huntley fell.

“I want to speak to Huntley.”

I knew my brother’s stance on the matter, but I knew his loyalty to me was stronger. “Guard, bring King Rolfe to my chambers.”

He disappeared, and a moment later, Huntley entered, his eyes shifting back and forth between the two of us, trying to ascertain his role in this tense situation.

Avice stepped forward. “I demand you return General Macabre his title. Our situation shouldn’t impact the position he’s earned with dedication and sacrifice. Ian refuses to grant this request.”

Huntley’s eyes shifted to mine.

I stared at my brother hard, imploring him.

After a long stare, Huntley looked at Avice again.

“Ian says he’ll only do as I ask if General Macabre apologizes—”