The ground rumbled, or maybe I had imagined it.
“That’s correct,” he answered after a few painful moments.
Adeline’s eyes were wild as they stared into mine. Was this normal for them to be fighting like this? Was the king usually this mad at Malachi?
I wondered how many other times Malachi had snuck into the human lands. And how many times he had gotten caught.
Something told me this wasn't the first time.
“You continue to disobey me after I give you everything. I’ve given you a life. I’ve given you a wife. And now I’ve given you a kingdom. When does it end? When does the disrespect end?”
Malachi took a breath. “I respect you, father. This has nothing to do with that.”
“Doesn’t it?” he asked. “I think this has everything to do with respect, son. Your brothers have no problem obeying me. They never have. Perhaps one of them should inherit the kingdom, no?”
“We both know I’m the best one to rule the kingdom,” Malachi responded, his temper began to unravel. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me, father! You asked me to get married not once but four times, and I obliged happily every time. You ask me to do your dirty work, and again, I oblige. Every. Time. No questions asked. You sit around and use me as your weapon, and I let it happen. Happily. Because you are my father and you are the king. My wife asked me to go to the human lands, and I obliged, because she is my wife and she has given up everything to be here with me!”
“Given up? You really think that human scum had a better life in her human lands? This is an honor for her, Malachi. This was an honor for each of them, even if the first three weren't strong enough to survive here!”
“How dare you talk about them that way.”
“They are weak! Humans are weak! Has your past not proved that to you enough?”
“You know who killed them,” Malachi demanded. “I know you do. You have spies everywhere in this castle. Certainly you know who is to blame for their deaths.”
I froze. Even if we had suspected that the King knew something, it was bold to accuse him this way. Especially when he was already pissed off.
Adeline must have known this too. She reached her hand across to mine and gave me a ‘let’s go’ type of look, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t leave without knowing how this conversation ended.
I shook my head at Adeline.
“You accuse me of murder in my own kingdom?” the King asked.
Malachi paused, as if he actually wasn’t’ sure how to answer for once. “I just want to ensure the safety of my wife. That’s all.”
“You’re willing to do a lot for this girl, Malachi. I have to say I don’t like where this is heading.”
My heart was pounding in my chest.
“She has nothing to do with this,” he responded. “I simply want to know who I can and cannot trust in my own home.”
“You still assume the attacks are coming from within the castle?” The King asked. His voice was cold. The fake ignorance made me want to jump down there and kill him myself.
“I don’t assume anything,” Malachi answered. “But there has been no evidence of break ins from outside the castle, so the obvious answer is that these murderers are from the inside. And I know plenty of people who may want my wives dead.”
“Like who?”
“Like your other sons, for one. I’m sure they don’t like seeing me as the heir.”
The King laughed again, but it was humorless.
“The rest of my sons have no problem obeying their orders. They know their time is coming. You are supposed to be setting an example, Malachi. Yet for some reason it has been so hard for you to just do as you are told, even with your mother on the line.”
This time, Malachi did not respond.
“My punishments for you do not seem to be taking effect. Perhaps we should adjust so you’ll learn this time?” the King asked.
Again, Malachi did not respond. Adeline’s hand found mine and squeezed. Because we both knew where this was going.
The King turned his attention to the guards. “Go find Malachi’s precious wife.”
CHAPTER 25
Malachi
Uncontrollable rage pulsed through my body in one second.
Nobody was going to touch Jade.
Nobody.
My father sent the guards away, leaving him and I alone in the room.
Except we weren’t really alone. The sweet cinnamon scent of Jade’s hair hit me as soon as her and Adeline crawled in here.
Not to mention the sound of her heart racing.