Eleanor stood slowly, her voice sharp and her eyes burning with cold fire as she stared Catherine down.
"You dare offer the King poison on his own birthday?" she continued, accusing her outright.
Gasps rippled through the crowd, and everyone immediately believed the accusation.
"No! That's not true!" Catherine denied, her voice rising in panic.
"Poison? No, I would never… It is just wine."
"Wine?" Eleanor cut in, her voice rising higher.
"Then drink it yourself," she ordered.
Catherine trembled, her eyes faltering as she stared down at the goblet now sitting on the table. She shook her head.
"I—I can't… I mean, it's for the King!" Catherine pleaded, fear flooding her expression.
"You can't?"
Lucas's voice roared out, and Catherine fell to her throbbing knees, bowing her head.
"Since you claim it's just wine, then drink it," Lucas commanded, his voice causing Catherine's heart to leap into her throat.
She raised her head slightly, the colour draining from her face.
