Uberta gasped her hand covering what it could of the sound. The letter floated unnoticed to the floor as she shook her head. It just couldn't be. There was no way that this horrible fate could happen to an angel like Odette. For as much as Derek had denied it, that was what Odette was.
Uberta had heard a lot about Rothbart, from many sources. He was supposedly crazy and incredibly dangerous. Not only because of his desire to be king, but by some means he had discovered the secrets of sorcery. He was not only a mad man, but a powerful one.
But Uberta had knowledge of a secret that could bring the entire kingdom of Plantos, William's kingdom, to ruin. One that Humility had told her in the strictest confidence. Rothbart was Humility's cousin. Her first cousin.
Rothbart would never do anything to hurt Humility. That went against anyone's morals, even if they were utterly evil. And he couldn't kill William. Humility would declare war on him if he hurt her husband. But Odette. Odette was a way that he could legally take over the kingdom.
If he married the only heir, especially considering that it was certain that Humility would not be able to have another child, he would be king one day.
"Not good, not good." Uberta started to mutter under her breath.
"Mother," Derek interrupted. "I think that your guests are getting upset."
The queen stopped her pacing. "Tell them I'll be there shortly. I had unfinished business to attend to."
"Of course."
Uberta had guests to entertain. They were a bit early, but they also had to be attended to. But she had a letter to write. However, the letter had to travel three weeks to get to its final destination. A few hours wouldn't hurt it any.
"Day after day, it seems all the prince ever does is practice, and practice, and practice."