Chapter 18

Remember: Tobias is Levi's younger brother by 6 years. Levi is married to Courtney and holds her hostage as well as Kathleen. King Willard is working with Levi to overthrow Glidonia, but he seems to have his own agenda. Captain Robespierre is King Willard's, right-hand man.

Queen Courtney

It had been roughly two weeks since Courtney had arrived in Thraas. It had been a miserable two weeks, but Levi occasionally told her that Kathleen was alive. She'd learned very quickly that she couldn't talk back to Levi.

He had mocked her only the second day and said he'd give her Derek's and Genevieve's traitorous heads to her as a late wedding gift. She had retaliated and tried slapping him, but he'd caught her wrist before she could land a hit and had threatened to take his anger out on Kathleen.

It had taken her an hour of begging and apologizing for him to back down. And then, following him saying he wouldn't hurt Kathleen, he felt the urge to constantly hold it over her head.

Levi knew perfectly well that she hated him, but in order to protect her sister, she took her place as Thraas's queen and sat atop the throne beside him. She said nothing, but she listened as Thraasians came and expressed their complaints and concerns to Levi.

He hated listening to their petty problems, but he was smart enough to know that it gained the people's trust.

He would lie to them and tell them how the royal family would aid them in their problems. Levi rubbed his chin in thought after one civilian complained to them about bandits ransacking the city.

"Yes, I wondered when that would become a problem," he shouted so that the whole room could hear.

Anyone was allowed to attend these meetings, and they all clung to Levi's every word.

"Few know this, but Glidonia was always good at sneaking into other countries. It's how they became so powerful; Queen Isabella sent spies into other countries to steal their ideas and their goods. We can only assume that these aren't real bandits but are spies from Glidonia. I will put a stop to them immediately." He said.

As Courtney, who was draped in a long-sleeved purple gown and had a silver crown on her head, bristled, she worked to stay composed. She knew now what sort of a liar Levi was.

He lied for his own gain, and he understood that everyone was like an instrument that could be played. With Kathleen imprisoned, she could only pray that Genevieve and Derek were prepared for Thraas's threat.

Later they dined together. She mixed her food around on her plate like a child, trying to convince her mother she'd eaten more than she had. Levi watched her. She knew that he was staring.

"Is it not to your liking?" Levi asked. If she were to speak, her voice would betray her.

"Shall I call for something else?" he pressed. He was mocking her. He knew very well she didn't have a problem with the food.

"I need you alive and in relatively good health." He told her.

"Why do you lie to your people?" She finally asked, looking up. "You've already got them wrapped around your finger, so why lie to them?" asked Courtney.

"You can never have someone wrapped around your finger too many times. I'm merely preparing for the future, something your father never understood," he answered. The taunt about her father rang in her ears.

"My father often spoke of your mother. Everyone knew that she was the real reason that Glidonia flourished. She, however, did not look ahead or prepare for the future." He said.

"Your mother was always ready for anything," Courtney corrected him. "She never taught your father how to rule without her, which led to his death," Levi said.

"You poisoned him!" Courtney hissed.

"She never had any sons, and she knew Glidonia couldn't be ruled by women, but she never left clear instructions to dear King Randolph on who should become king of her beloved country. For that, a shoe cobbler is in charge, and finally…." He smirked and took a bite of food.

He opened his mouth, displaying the food inside, and said: "…She didn't prepare to be killed by her own daughter. Does little Princess Lacey know that she killed her mother?"

"My mother was a great woman," Courtney said. "She was prepared for whatever threat could arise, and she did not deceive her people with lies. You have sorely underestimated Glidonia." Said Courtney.

"I don't think I have," he said.

"You underestimate my sisters," said Courtney.

"Fool, I have not. I learned everything I could about your sisters before I came. I knew you spent your time in libraries. I knew that Fallon was in love with the idea of romance. I knew exactly where your youngest sisters went and what they did. It is you that underestimated me," he sneered.

"And because of that, you are now my queen, and Kathleen rots in a dungeon. When I dispose of your sister and her husband, we will sit on the Glidonia throne." He exclaimed.

"You're insane…." She couldn't think of anything else to say. "They'll never follow you." Said Courtney.

"Glidonia loves its royal family, so I am grateful for you," Levi said.

He suddenly leaned in even closer to her face. Up close, she couldn't deny he was handsome, but he was a monster. She'd never fall for him again. One hand caressed her face.

"You're a beautiful woman, Courtney, but I can't let you talk back to me like that." Said Levi.

"D-don't hurt Kathleen!" Courtney sputtered.

"I don't really want Kathleen." His breath tickled her face. "I want you, Courtney. I want you to fear me, then to depend only on me, and then for you to love me as my queen…" said Levi.

She jumped backward before his lips could brush hers, knocking her chair down. Her hand grasped for anything on the table to defend herself with. Her fingers wrapped themselves around the knife's hilt she'd used earlier during supper; she held it in front of her.

"Stay back!" She cried.

Levi started in for her, but she brandished the knife. He knocked the knife from her hand in one movement, causing it to fly across the room and stick itself in the wall. He captured her wrists, nails biting into her flesh. But he stopped abruptly, released her, and he started laughing.

"Did you think I would hurt you?" He asked.

"Do you think I'm a monster?" She still wasn't able to answer.

He called out: "Tobias!" Courtney turned to see the door open. Levi's brother, Tobias, entered and bowed his head.

"Take Queen Courtney back to her room. I believe she's eaten too much," Levi ordered. Tobias didn't regard Courtney with any emotion as he wrapped his arms in hers and led her from the room. She turned back to Levi, but the door had already closed.

A muscle in Tobias' jaw was twitching slightly.

"Prince Tobias," Courtney began nervously. "Do you know what your brother is?" she asked as he wondered if she was crazy?

If Tobias reported to Levi, she and Kathleen would both be in danger. She remembered arriving at first and how Tobias had been mild-mannered.

"Did you know that your brother by law was a murderer?" Tobias asked. "Derek didn't kill your father," Courtney breathed. They'd just arrived at her room.

"Levi killed your father. He's a monster; he wanted the throne. He killed yours, and he killed mine." exclaimed Courtney.

"You're in denial," Tobias said stubbornly. "Good night, highness –" She refused to let the door close, putting her foot in the way.

It hit painfully, but she wouldn't budge. "Has Levi told you that he's holding my little sister, a girl of eight, hostage in his dungeons?" Courtney demanded.

"Do you even know what your brother has done? He's taking advantage of this country. He manipulated me, and he's manipulating you." She said.

"I think you need to sleep now, Queen," Tobias said. "Your mind is clearly not where it should be. Levi insists you're innocent and knew nothing about King Derek's plans. I will tell him that you need some medicine…," said Tobias.

"Before you tell him," Courtney began desperately, "you have to visit the dungeons. Ask for Kathleen. I don't know where he's keeping her but search for her. If she's not there, you can tell your brother everything I told you." Said Courtney.

"Why should I do what you want?" Tobias asked. "Because…because I'm Levi's wife now, which makes me your sister by law. I want to build a relationship with you, but I can't if there's no trust." Before she knew it, she was clasping his hands in hers, staring right at him.

"Please, Tobias, I need you. I need you to help my family." She exclaimed.

"I am loyal to Thraas…" he trailed off.

"Then be loyal to Thraas and help them, Levi doesn't mean just to unjustly rule Glidonia, but he wants Thraas too," she said as Tobias looked like he was about to tell her off and stared imploringly at him.

"Please, Tobias, please. Do it for your me…do it for your people." Said Courtney as Tobias left her in her room.