Alexis moved through the palace like a man who had come back from the dead.
When he reached the king's chamber and saw his father lying under heavy blankets, motionless and pale, the sight stole the last words from his mouth.
The old man looked smaller than the way he had ever let him be,
flattened by sickness into a shape that breathed but did not live.
"What did you do to him?" Alexis demanded as he turned, and Queen Sephora stepped forward as if to answer.
"Alexis, I gave you life," she said, the words spilling out in a rush.
"Why do you hate me so much? The least you could do is show me respect. I did all things I did before the betterment of the realm. After years .I am seeing my son and the first thing you do is hurt your brother?"
Alexis turned his glare on her. The fury in his eyes made her step back.
"Mother, are you trying to anger me?" he said, and swallowed hard against the flood of feeling.
