“That would change everything,” he finally said softly. “If I could show the other royal families what he was capable of doing, they would all stand behind the massacre that would ensue.”
His gaze met mine.
“But as it is, I have only the belief in my heart. They will never support any action without the proof. If I were to move against him directly and personally, even in light of Janet’s actions, they would not stand for it, and the armies of some of the other kingdoms would side with Hadebrand.”
“They did not help him before,” I said. Branford’s information about the military and how they formed alliances was much more forthcoming than it normally was, and I tried to take advantage of the situation.
“No,” Branford said, “but I do believe he hired many mercenaries—those who are only loyal to coin, not to a kingdom—to fight his battle for him. It is the only way he could have gathered so many soldiers so quickly. Our previous war was considered nothing more than a border dispute, but any attack on a royal family is seen as an affront to all royals. If I were to attack now, he would garner more support from the surrounding kingdoms.”
I thought about this, and I supposed it made some sense. How else would the royals avoid constant bloodshed between royal families if they did not protect each other even when they were not allies? With such a rule, they would keep their own people and lands safe as long as there was no evidence of treachery. It stopped them from fighting amongst themselves and discouraged any secretive foul play. If all royal families would side with the offended family, who would dare go against a neighbor?
No wonder they killed their servants without a second thought. They used us to quell their thirst for bloodshed against each other.
I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I was no longer a servant but the Queen of Silverhelm. My people would not be treated this way—not as long as I had any say in what happened.
And how often was that?
I found it strange that as a queen, I had little more true authority than I had before King Camden’s passing. All authority resided with Branford, and my crown was really no more than a larger version of the ring around my finger. I had freedoms, yes, but when it came down to making a decision, all eyes turned to my husband.
In the beginning, I would not have known what to say, regardless of someone asking my opinion, but the situation was different now. I had seen the amount of luxury provided for those with my status and had made sure some of that was designated for our people. Branford seemed indifferent to these actions though he did defend them when his advisor complained about the refugees loitering at the castle gates all the time. I knew all too well that if Branford forbid me from doing something, I would have to obey—queen or not. Just as Branford had to obey Camden’s decree to take Hadley as his concubine, I would have to obey any command from my husband.
Branford had never spoken directly of his involvement with Hadley. I knew more of what transpired from Hadley than from my husband. With everything that had happened this day, I supposed we would be releasing her from service.
“Branford?” I whispered against his shoulder.
“Hmm?” his sleepy voice replied.
“What will become of Hadley now?”
I felt his body stiffen next to me. There was a long moment of silence before he responded with a low, almost raspy voice.
“What do you want to become of her?” I could feel the tips of his fingers tense against the skin of my back.
“We should not need her services any longer,” I said quietly, baffled. He seemed so hesitant with an answer I would have thought obvious. Did he wish to keep her as his concubine?
“No,” Branford said softly, “we do not need her.”
He pushed away from me and sat up, placing his head in his hands as he bent over his knees. I looked at him, confused and concerned by his reaction. Did he wish to keep her with us in case I was unable to bear a child regardless of Janet’s treachery? Was there some other reason he wanted her here?
“We never needed her!” Branford yelled suddenly, and I jumped as I stifled a small cry. “I did not have to do any of it! It was completely needless, and I never had to touch her at all…”
I brought myself up onto my knees and placed my hands on Branford’s shoulders, feeling relieved he did not want to keep Hadley as his concubine and at the same time, concerned at his outburst. He lifted his head to look at me, and I could see the slight shine from wetness at the corner of his eyes. He quickly looked away from me again, placing his forehead on his knees and wrapping his arms around his head.
“It was all for nothing,” he whispered. “I hurt you for nothing.”
“You did not know, Branford,” I said softly as I tried to keep my own tears in check. “None of us did.”
I felt his muscles tense under my fingers.
“Could she have known?” Branford turned to me, and his eyes were dark and terrifying. “Did she know what I was doing was for naught? She came from Hadebrand, Alexandra. If she knew…if she lay there while I…knowing all along…”
His words were frightening, for I knew what he was saying and the implication that went along with it. If he believed Hadley to be involved, her fate would be the same as my handmaid’s.
“Branford,” I said, trying to keep my voice soft and calm, “I also came from Hadebrand.”
His gaze locked with mine, and for the briefest of moments, I regretted my words. Reminding him at this moment of where I grew up was likely not the wisest of words to come from my mouth. I held my breath, waiting for his reaction and feeling—for the first time in many months—somewhat afraid of my husband’s temper.
Slowly, his gaze dropped back to his hands resting over his legs, and his eyes closed. I felt his shoulders rise and fall with his breaths. When his eyes opened again, he turned where he sat and placed his hands on my hips.