Chapter twenty-one

"Sierra." Erik groaned as he ran his hand through his hair. "You're missing the point!"

Sierra didn't want anything to do with her newly acquired title. She didn't want to have anything to do with pursuing her right to the throne. In fact, she was dead set against it! He'd been arguing with her for almost an hour over the issue. Herbert threw in his opinion every once in a while; he sided with Sierra's choice. Erik finally got him to be silent by threatening to kick him in the mouth!

"No, you're missing the point Erik. What am I? Am I Irish? No! I've lived among these people to long. Am I of them? No! The Irish blood that flows in my veins proves that. Am I suited for being a princess? No, I'm not." Her blue eyes were dead serious as she patiently explained. "I cannot read, do not write, nor have I the ability to act as princess should. Nor am I virtuous as a princess should be and explaining why I'm not would certainly bring acts of war upon this place. I am content being what I am."

"A scullery maid?" Erik continued trying to talk some sense into her. Since she couldn't yell, she spoke in a calm and controlled voice. It drove Erik almost insane to argue with someone who was so calm. "One who gets physically abused and hurt at every turn. I shall speak to the king to see about at least granting you the title of a lady at least."

She shook her head. "What do I need for silks and satins with jewels up to my brow? No need. I am content as I am."

Erik groaned. "You're complicated."

"I am simply what I am. I wouldn't try to change you, so please, don't try to change me."

He sighed. She had him defeated for the moment. "Well, Amanita's going to take you on as her lady's maid."

Sierra bit her lip before speaking. "No thank you, I wish to remain in the kitchen."

"Sierra."

"Sir Herbert," she glanced over Erik's shoulder. "is there any other information that you care to share with us before Erik turns you over to the king?"

Herbert nodded. "I can expose a plot to kill the king."

"I know about that and that the land is being poisoned to force Amanita to marry for wealth."

Sierra shook her head. "Is there anything you don't know or understand?"

"You!" He said giving her a glare.

She rolled her eyes and laughed faintly. "Go on, but hurry back. I want to know everything that happens."

"You sleep. I'll have a guard posted to watch you."

"Thank you, but, I'd rather not."

He sighed. "As you wish." Erik leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Sleep well."

"Thank you." Sierra's voice was as cunning and seductive as the spell of a siren. Erik stood up and refused to look in her eyes for fear that he'd kiss her again. He grabbed Herbert by the belt that secured his hands. "Come on."

They moved to the door and Sierra lay back on the bed. He turned back to see that she'd curled up in a ball. He shook his head and closed the door softly. Herbert didn't put up a fight as Erik half dragged him down the hall.

"She's a good girl."

"She is." Erik didn't even know why he was talking to him. "But she's quite stupid about some things. Turning down the position as Amanita's lady in waiting to be a kitchen waif her whole life."

"For a man who's so intelligent, you're dumb." Erik stopped dead in his tracks to draw back his fist to hit Herbert. However, the following words that came out of Herbert's mouth struck him cold. "She's in love with you!"

Erik stopped, his fist inches away from Herbert's face. He stared at him. "You're insane."

"Didn't you see it?" Herbert asked. "Why else do you think she turned down your offer as your future wife's lady in waiting? What could be more painful than taking care of the wife of the man you love?"

"Shut up." He didn't want to hear this! He didn't even want to think it!

"You shouldn't marry Amanita anyway. She's not good enough for you."

Erik hit him and Herbert clutched his jaw. "How…dare you!" He bellowed. "Who do you think you are?"

Sierra's door opened and she walked along the wall, one hand supporting her throat. "Erik?"

"Back to bed." He snapped.

"Don't take that tone of voice with me," she said softly. "I've done nothing to you." All the anger whooshed out of him in that moment. "Now, what is going on?"

"He has this stupid idea that Amanita's not good enough for me."

"It's true!" Erik growled and drew back his hand to hit him again. "She's not in love with you!"

That made Erik laugh. "And how'd you know that?"

"Because…she's in love with your brother!"

Erik's grip tightened. "I repeat how do you know that?"

"Basil hired me and hundreds of men to kill the plants in many different areas. After giving instructions, I was passing the lake and I heard the sounds of a female screaming. But it wasn't cries of terror." He said. "It was cries of pleasure." Erik's blood ran cold. "I saw them, they were in the lake and both were engaging in acts of a husband and wife."

"You lie."

"I saw them as clearly as I see you. I returned later after poisoning my field and they were still together."

Erik's blood was reaching the boiling point. "Shut up."

But Herbert didn't, he kept talking. His words adding fuel to the fire of Erik's anger. "Why else do you think no one knew where they were that night? Why else do you think she's been so upset ever since your engagement was announced? Basil caught her in your brother's bed just the day before!"

"You lie!" Erik hit him multiple times. When the force of his blows knocked Herbert down on the ground, Erik began kicking him. As he drew his foot back for another blow, Sierra covered Herbert's body with hers. Erik had barely enough time to deflect the blow. The momentum of deviating the kick caused Erik to land flat on his back.

"Damn you sierra!" He shouted as he hauled himself up off the ground.

"Only God can do that!" She pressed her hand against her throat. "Oh, I wish I could yell at you but it hurts too much. Calm down. There's a better way to go about this."

"I'm going to kill him."

"You're going to talk to Amanita and Raoul. Find out from them." She stated. "Why would he have a reason to lie? He's been truthful so far!"

"I don't know! This has to be another plot!"

"Call a guard."

"GUARD!" He blinked and glowered down at Sierra. Why had he done that? Why was he actually doing what she said? "Don't tell me what to do!"

"Go talk to Raoul and Amanita before you go about hurting people needlessly!"

"Fine!" His voice dropped to a growl as he pulled Herbert up from the ground. "But if you lie…I swear…I will torture you so badly that you'll beg for death." And with that, Erik threw Herbert into the arms of the guard. "Have Sir Herbert arrested for treachery to the crown immediately!"

He didn't even wait for a reply as he stomped towards Amanita and Raoul's sick room.