Chapter 25: The Secret Plans of Galbatorix
Tessa rolled over on her back and grabbed a brush to run through her red hair. "So, what is this 'grand plan' of yours, my lord? Or are you ever going to tell me?"
Galbatorix paused. "I suppose I could tell you a little something about it."
Tessa propped herself up onto her elbows and gazed at him eagerly.
"The boy and the King have been doing things- I know it." Tessa nodded in agreement.
"Alright; I fear that the King will break out. She won't leave her beloved Murtagh behind if she really does love him. She's going to take him and make an escape." He sighed heavily.
"We cannot give her that opportunity; I need her to either escape by herself or let me release her alone. Murtagh can't accompany her." Tessa nodded comprehensively.
"She's already given herself to him, that much is sure. She's so desperately sick in love that she'll do anything for him."
"Yes."
"So she'll go alone, for a while. Then, I plan to have the boy become a dragon rider."
"You think the egg will hatch for him?" she asked.
"I know it will. They'll both be forced to swear to me, and I'll have her little lover say some terrible things the next time they meet." Tessa's evil grin matched that of the king's.
"So, she'll be crushed. She won't kill herself, yet. But I intend that she'll be devastated that her whore doesn't love her," he said in a whiny, sarcastic voice, making Tessa shake with laughter. "She'll fall into despair, I'll have a rider on my side, and the Knights will be mine. They'll come crawling to me when they see that their leader has fallen."
He waited. "So? What do you think?"
Tessa rubbed her chin with her thumb and forefinger. "Nicely done, my lord," she said quietly. "Using their emotions against them; very smart."
Galbatorix smiled. "And I'll need your help too, my dear."