The Prince of Warwood and The King's Key (Book 1) by Clinton J. Noel

Author:Clinton, J. Noel [Clinton, J. Noel]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: C Squared Publishing
Published: 2012-10-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The Emblem

Xavier paced the length of his room, his anger still very raw and consuming. Lord! He had exchanged a life of freedom to be a prince locked in his own castle! It was all so stupid! He released a frustrated growl and kicked the bedpost, but immediately regretted doing so as he hopped around his room in pain. He rubbed his foot vigorously until the pain lessened.

Then, he wandered to the windows and peered out at the garden flourishing on the patio. His father’s room opened out onto the lush garden. It was an odd sight, a garden on a third floor balcony. Irises and orchards of various colors and variety neatly edged a small basin of water at the base of a pale marble fountain. A rich emerald moss shingled over the granite stones set into the earth along a narrow path. The patio door to his father’s room stood slightly ajar, and curtains swayed in the light breeze, giving him a peek-a-boo view of his father’s room.

Xavier had managed to explore just about every room in the palace except this one, and he found it impossible not to explore it now. He quickly slipped out onto the walkway and tiptoed to his father’s room. The door opened with a soft moan as if protesting his entry into the king’s bedroom. The entrance into the room was a small hall with a walk-in closet to the right. He crept forward and was amazed at what unfolded before him. Like his room, his father’s room had a hearth. However, this fireplace was much bigger and had a beautifully carved onyx mantle. Above the mantle, a portrait of a man with pale hair and hypnotic eyes stared down at him. On its frame, the name, Jeremiah Xavier Wells III, was engraved with large, looping lettering. Across the room stood a massive king-size four-poster bed covered by an ink blue satin comforter that had an embroidered emblem stitched in gold, red, green, bronze and silver thread in the center. Xavier moved to the bed and studied the stitching. A border of grape leaves circumscribed two swords crossing in the center, and amidst the blades were four intricately stitched figures: an owl, a lizard, a snake-like creature, and a stallion. Xavier ran his fingers lightly over the figures when his attention was drawn to the nightstand, more particularly, the photograph on the nightstand. Stunned, Xavier turned and picked it up. It was a picture of his mother and him taken last Christmas. How had his father gotten it? Had his mother sent it to him? Why hadn’t she ever told him about his father?

“She was beautiful,” his father’s voice came from the doorway.

Xavier jumped and quickly replaced the picture frame on the stand. “Father, I…” Xavier began stammering with guilt.

Jeremiah grinned. “Son, do not fret. This is your home. No room is off limits to you. Although, I would appreciate the common courtesy of knocking before you enter my bedroom. Agreed?”

“Yes, sir.

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