Citrine by Jenny Molyneux Linda Kutt

  Chapter Thirty

  “Alas, I see that you have found each other again,” Bartholomew sighed, as the fresh prisoners were escorted into the throne room. Bart lounged on the throne, preening himself for all to observe, and be awed only at his royal presence. What he didn’t understand was, they weren’t awed, and they were disgusted.

  “You bastard!” Grey shouted, as he lunged at Bart. Caleb and Oscar held him back, as the guards stepped in, holding them back at the point of their swords.

  “Not now,” Caleb whispered to him. “Wait and I promise you will get your chance.”

  “Chance, chance for what?” Bart raged. “I am the King of Elden now, just as it should have always been, and nothing you do will change that fact. The people know, and they love that I have saved them from having to live under your rule.”

  “Bartholomew,” Tyrone spoke, his voice firm and resolved, as he got his nephew’s attention.

  Bart looked to his uncle, his hatred spilling out into his voice when he answered him. “What do you want, Uncle!” Bart spat.

  “Your father would be so disappointed in you,” Tyrone spoke quietly, but his tone held an authority that you couldn’t ignore.

  “Disappointed because I took back what you stole?” Bart slurred his words.

  “Stole, I stole nothing,” Tyrone told him.

  “You did!” Bart exclaimed, jumping to his feet, his face deep red, as he screamed at him. “He was the older twin, and should have been the rightful King. I am just righting a wrong done many years ago.”

  “Bart, I don’t know where you are getting your information, but it is wrong. Yes, Virgil and I were twins, but I was the older. You know this, your father knew this, and he was fine with it. He always told me that he got the better end of the deal, all the fun without all the responsibilities.” His voice echoed the love he had for his brother and the pain at his loss. Tyrone looked up at Bart, trying to make him see reason.

  “You lie,” Bart snarled at him. “My mother told me the truth, told me how you lied, and stole my father’s crown.”

  “Bart, your mother was crazy, that isn’t even possible.” Tyrone tried to stay calm. “Virgil and I were brothers, twins, and we were also the best of friends. When he was killed, it just about destroyed me.”

  “You sent him to his death!” Bart screamed. “You knew that he was going to reclaim his throne.”

  “You’re wrong,” Tyrone tried to reason with him.

  Bart stood in front of them, his face turning purple. His body shook, as his anger came to a boil, and he turned to the silent Dreyden.

  “Put them in the dungeon, double the guards, we will prepare to deal with them later.” He walked away. Tyrone watched him, his empathy showing on his face, until their attention was pulled back to the smug man left in charge.

  Dreyden waited until he had all of their attention before he spoke. Strolling down the line of prisoners, he stopped in front of Niall. “Well, I knew that there were cairbare in Elden, but I certainly wasn’t expecting this, Prince Niall, and his warriors. If only it was your brother, that would be justice,” Dreyden purred.

  Niall looked down on this man that he recalled from his youth, but the man standing in front of him was nothing like the one that he remembered. He looked the same physically, but that was the only thing that was the same.

  “Dreyden,” Niall drawled.

  “Did you really think that I wouldn’t be able to sense you, when you came through the portal? You really have no respect for my abilities, but then again, you are just a warrior. Now if it had been your brother, then ...” he trailed off. “But we both know that you don’t get along, do you?” he laughed. “Lock them into the special cells,” he ordered the guards.