Love, Lies and a Flash of the Past

Chapter 66

---------- Chapter 66 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I open my eyes and we’re outside the palace. Haden holds his hand out for me and I take it gratefully.

Here goes nothing!

We walk into the palace and up the stairs to the throne room. Haden throws the door open and the buzz in the room dies out as everyone turns to stare at us.

               “Haden!” Her Majesty greets, dropping some pieces of paper as she hurries to give Haden a hug. “How are you feeling honey? And how are you, Skye?”

Haden kisses his mother’s cheek and then steps back so his mum can give me a hug. “What happened to your hand, sweetie?” she demands, fussing over my broken arm.

               “Actually, it’s sort of what I – we- want to talk to you about,” Haden says, clearing his throat. “In private.”

His Majesty nods his head and all the courtiers and they bow out of the throne room. Eventually, it’s only the four of us in the huge room.

               “Speak,” His Majesty commands.

               “I...want to renounce my crown,” Haden whispers, dropping his gaze.

His Majesty’s gaze snaps up to Haden. He gets red in the face and he looks like he’s in serious danger of overheating!

               “Haden!” I hiss under my breath, squeezing his hand. “Your Majesty, Haden’s being ridiculous! He doesn’t want to renounce his birthright.”

               “Yes, I do,” he corrects me.

He turns to face me, his eyes intense. I’m not backing down though. I stare him straight in the eyes.

Her Majesty clears her throat. “What’s going on?”

               “I have something to tell you,” I pipe up, still staring Haden down. “Haden was here recently, wasn’t he? He was badly hurt because he was trying to save me from a group of Wraiths,” I mumble.

               “Haden never mentioned any Wraiths,” His Majesty mutters, and I can imagine him narrowing his eyes.

Haden sighs and breaks eye contact with me. He turns to face his father. “Look, can we not talk about this? It doesn’t matter why, I want to renounce my claim to the throne. Carter can take over,” he insists.

               “Haden!”

               “Stay out of this Skye!” he warns me, his tone sharp.

               “To hell with that Haden,” I hiss. I take a step forward and clear my throat. “My mother – my biological mother – abducted me from here.”

               “Skye! Please! Stop it!” Haden mutters, stepping up to me. He wraps his hand around my arm tightly and tugs me back.

               “You’re hurting me!”

I see a flicker of anger flash in his eyes before he controls himself and releases me. While this is going on, the king and queen watch us with bewildered expressions.

               “Skylar, Haden’s the man in your relationship. If he tells you not to do something, you shouldn’t do it,” His Majesty volunteers, raising an eyebrow.

What the hell?! What century is this?

I notice Her Majesty tense up as well.

               “No, Skye’s and my relationship doesn’t work that way, dad,” Haden whispers. “I appreciate Skye speaking her mind. But baby, please, for one, just do as I say!”