Crown of Desire by Eve Bradley

Author:Eve Bradley [Bradley, Eve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-27T16:00:00+00:00

Lucarian

The Westroads near Evanona

Lucarian sat at his father’s bedside, watching the rise and fall of his chest. Bandages were pasted over blooming pustules, the scent of decay thick in the air. His father was ill. He hadn’t been back a day before the symptoms had begun, but when it hit him, it was quick; the loss of all strength, green spiderwebbing in his veins. His father was unable to lift even his head to feed himself.

The same green webbing surrounded the abscesses. His father's muscles were stiff, his mobility lost. This stiffening caused his entire body to appear contorted, a rag doll subject to the unwavering clutch of disease. He feared for himself but also wanted to be there for his father. His connection to this prime male example was through blood, and he would not betray him by leaving him to suffer in his own ruminating stench.

“Send word to my mother,” Lucarian told Admiral Peltyre as they both stared at the dying King.

“I will posthaste…your Grace,” Peltyre responded, face marred with disgust.

Lucarian hung his head in his palms, brain throbbing from the stress and smell. Peltyre had stopped at the door, lingering.

“What?” Lucarian barked.

“If it is not out of turn, my Prince…I would advise you to prepare yourself. The healers have done everything within their power. You must assume that everyone will soon look to you.”

A sour sickness found its way into Lucarian’s stomach; a product of angst. He could say nothing in response, and the Admiral left quietly after depositing the weighty words. His mother, Queen Dedreia, would be distraught. His sisters would mourn loudly throughout the Unity Chambers like shrieking banshees. When he thought of his father passing, the burden of his family rolling onto him, the only positive he could find was that he could marry his sisters to men he knew would make them miserable.

The weight of it. How could he bear it? He hadn’t even seen a real battle yet. He was eighteen years, not nearly old enough to take his father’s place. But he would have to stomach it if he wanted to maintain his birthright. Angeliva and her prim façade could only last so long. He knew what lurked in her power-crazed heart.

Lucarian also knew that he had nothing to worry about from the twins Lorraina and Ansephria. They were romantics, waiting to be swept into the arms of some passionate Lord. Ryndal might have cared to rule as she was more masculine than he was, but more than likely she’d run away and become a lone traveler before marrying for the advancement of the Kingdom. Elvensa, or Elfie as he called her, was the only sister he had no fears for. She was thirteen, sweet as sugar, and theirs was a bond unlike any he’d ever known. He feared for her, cared for her, and missed her now.

“Luc…” a rasp of voice trailed up from his father’s stiff mouth.

He reached out for his father’s hand.

“I’m here,” he said, emotion clouding his mind.

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