Pawn

I thought about my options and considered running from King Caderyn's command. I saw Finley through the open door. He shook his head, as if he could read my thoughts. It would be better to face my fears. I turned on my heel, shutting the door behind me. At least my shadows were close by in case of utter disaster.

"Of course, Your Majesty. Thank you for your time. I'm sorry you were feeling ill when I called on you this afternoon." Feigning innocence might help me not be in as much trouble.

"This is not about your request to have an audience with me this afternoon," King Caderyn barked at me. Maybe feigning innocence was the wrong tactic on my part.

The King stood to his full height, staring down on me. "Sit!"

I plopped into the nearest chair as fast as possible and stared at the table. If I kept my head down maybe I could make this short. Maybe less painful.

"Let's talk about your place around here," King Caderyn spouted off, pacing behind me. "Not that long ago, you were just a misfit child that my daughter and her best friend adopted out of pity as some kind of pet. Jack. It's a perfect name for a yapping puppy."

Is that really how my friends thought of me? Surely not. I would not let his mind games work on me.

"Then you started training with your father. Became Sir Jacobson as a courtesy to the clan of Stag for this boy posing as some great warrior. Then you became part of my daughter's council on the night of her eighteenth birthday out of convenience. Simply because of proximity, not because of any skill or attribute that you possess," The King continued.

As much as I hated to admit it to myself, these words struck something in me. I believed them. This was a dirty way to fight.

"That night the Swordsmen convinced me that you were the solution to all my problems. That the royal family needed protection, and you would be our hero," King Caderyn snorted in derision. "I have to admit I was taken in by the idea of safety."

The King slowly made his way to a slender table at the back of the room that hugged the wall. Servants kept a silver pitcher of some type of refreshment and goblets neatly displayed atop that table. My furious counterpart turned his back to me to pour himself a drink.

"But safety via your hand was a short lived illusion that started unraveling the moment that arrow was shot during the parade. I could deal with a weakling no-nothing son-in-law since my daughter is capable of running this country, but only if he brought something to the table," The King paused to take a swig from his goblet.

I knew King Caderyn disliked me, but I never thought his opinion of me was this horrible. My shoulders slumped further. My chin almost touched my chest.

"What do you bring to the table, Sir Jacobson?" He pointedly asked.

I had hoped to remain completely silent. What do I bring to the table in his opinion? A nickname that he seems to find distasteful? With this much shame rushing through my veins, I could only grasp for a different emotion.

"I care enough for my country and your daughter to try and save you from the future we both saw," I muttered with clenched teeth, withholding hot tears.

"Ha! You care for my daughter? Every nobleman within ten years of her age would claim the same thing!" King Caderyn retorted.

"I care enough about you to try and save her from the house arrest that your zealous watch dogs trapped her inside this afternoon," my anger erupted. I might not love Alina in the way she deserved but I did care for her. Any question of that offended me to my core.

"Those watch dogs, as you call them, were placed there to keep you away from her. The last few days have confirmed that you will never be my successor!" The king's desperate tone reminded me of how little power I had in this situation.

"I had hoped some time without you would sober her mind enough to break this ridiculous engagement," my counterpart admitted.

"You think that your daughter will break off the engagement that she thinks was your idea? She thinks that her marriage is meant to save you. She would never want to hurt you. She loves you. Do you even know her?" I spat the words at the monarch.

Caderyn breathed deep trying to steady himself from my words. I would have to tread more carefully if I wanted to leave anytime soon.

"You're right on one front. My daughter would not want to bring the embarrassment of a broken engagement upon herself," a scheming smile ran across his face. "You will break this engagement on my terms when I say you should. That is what you bring to the table, Sir Jacobson. A scapegoat for scandal that will leave the people more in love with my daughter than ever."

Somehow those words set off a mixture of relief and frustration within me. Relief that Alina might actually get to pick a husband that deserved her. Frustration that the King was using me as a pawn instead of just being open and honest about the situation. But being open and honest did not seem to be the King's style.

As if he heard my thoughts, King Caderyn added, "But no one will ever know what we just talked about. Do you understand?"

I nodded. I hated agreeing to the secrecy but I also just wanted to be done with this conversation.

"As for your place, Sir Jacobson, it will never again be in this room with me. Retreat to the library during Swordsmen Meetings. Say you are doing a special project for me if need be. A project that you will never have a chance to finish," the King threatened.

I did not exactly enjoy Swordsmen meetings and part of me rejoiced when King Caderyn said library. Yet something in me burned to challenge the King. I did not like being pushed around.

"And if I refuse any of your plans for me?" I challenged.

"You won't," The King took a deep drink then slammed his goblet on the table with a resounding bang. "Get out!"

Finley and Alejo opened the doors in a panic at the sound. "Everything okay, Your Majesty?" Finley asked.

"Fine. Sir Jacobson was just leaving."