“You come into this castle and have caused my sons nothing but torment,” she scolds and rounds the other side of the bed. “You’re not even supposed to be in the East Wing. Keep to your side, queen.” She says queen like an insult.
“I—”
“Mother, Luella has been helping Harrow,” Eldas says curtly, standing from the edge of the bed. “Without her—”
“Without her my baby boy would not be in this turmoil; just look at him.” She smooths away Harrow’s dark hair from his sweat-slicked face.
I want to pity this woman. I want to find sympathy for her as I have for Eldas. I try and imagine myself in her position. She’s in effect the mistress of the former king with no real title. From the first moment she pursued a relationship with Eldas’s father, she must have known her firstborn son would be taken from her. I try and reach deep for compassion, but her murderous glares in my direction make it very hard.
“You know what Harrow will need next,” I say to Eldas. “If you need me or have questions, you know how to find me.”
“Yes, thank you, Luella.” The way he says it leaves no doubt that he means it.
“He will not have anything that girl has made.” The woman glares at my nightstand of supplies.
“Mother—”
“She is, what? Eighteen?”
“Nineteen,” I correct calmly.
“A child. Get Poppy.”
“I am unable to do that,” Eldas says coolly. “I have sent Poppy away on an important mission that will take at least two months still; and I will not call her back. So if you wish for Harrow to receive care you will allow Luella to—”
“Poppy’s grandson. Even that mouse of a man would be better than her.”
I see Eldas’s hands tighten behind his back to the point that his knuckles are paper white. The muscles in his jaw tense. But his eyes are full of sorrow and longing, even as he speaks with all the bitter ice I’ve ever heard the man muster.
“I am the king, and what happens in my castle is my sole discretion.”
“‘Your castle.’ You do not lord over me. I am your mother.”
“A shame you have failed to ever act like it.”
“Eldas.” I touch his elbow lightly, trying to snap him out of this.
“How dare you speak to me that way.”
“How dare you speak to my wife that way!” Eldas’s words reverberate through me. They ward against the ever-rising chill and generate a warm heat that flushes up my arms and settles in my cheeks.
He’s not defending you, Luella, not really. I’m just an easy opportunity for him to jab at his mother. I look away from them, hiding my face as I try and lie to myself.
“Harrow needs his rest,” I say quietly.
“Yes, we’re leaving.” Eldas turns and his large palm rests on the small of my back as he ushers me out of the room. He’s silent as he leads me all the way back to my apartments.
The entire time, his hand remains on my person. It’s warm, for such a cold man. I make no effort to step out of his reach.
Hook is already back and he lets out a soft whine the moment he sees us, lifting his head from his paws.
“Sorry about sending you away,” I apologize to Hook and finally step away from Eldas to crouch down and scratch the wolf behind both ears. “I didn’t want to risk Harrow waking up and being mean to you.”
“No one in this castle will harm Hook. If they did, they would have to face my wrath.”
I look up at Eldas. He seems to sway slightly. Exhaustion is creeping in at his edges and I resist the urge to run to the laboratory and make something to help him relax and sleep deeply.
“Because he is part of you?”