Book 2 Chapter 1 Part 4
The alley was fairly clean as far as back streets went and for a moment all Robin could see was the backs of the houses and the road and the sky. The voice filtered in next, off to the side.
“Princess, you’re reaching an age when you should be thinking about the husband who will rule beside you. You know you should marry young, for the good of the realm. You’ll need a strong husband, one who brings you a strong network of allies, after all, there can only be one queen.”
Finally Sephy turned allowing Robin a clear view of the speaker, a young blonde-haired man in light leather armour. “I’m sure you are not suggesting that Mery and I will be competing for the throne. We were born together, we will rule together.”
“Of course, Princess, forgive me. It’s just that, this is an opportunity that we shouldn’t waste.”
“Opportunity?” They stopped walking.
“To get to know each other. I know your father is not accepting suitors but I will be putting my name in when the time comes.” He stepped closer, reaching out to touch her face. Robin felt the revulsion as Sephy stepped back. “I’d make a fine husband,” another step forward, “And a good king.” Another step forward. “And I’m captivated by your beauty.” He reached out again, touching her hair this time. “My family has always been friends of the crown, strong protectors of the realm. I would be a good match for you, Sephy, a kind king to rule beside you.”
She stepped back from each of his advances. Robin screamed at her to run but of course the events had already unfolded, there was no changing them. Sephy’s back hit the wall.
“I could love you, Sepherym, if you would let me,” he said, and then he leaned in to kiss her. Sephy slapped him and Zaine stumbled back. Before she could run he hand one arm on either side of her, pinning her in place. His face was too close but Robin could no more pull away now than Sepherym could at the time.
“Unhand me at once! You cannot treat me this way!”
“Do you love someone else? Has someone already won your heart? Luke, perhaps? You spend enough time with the oaf. Or that filthy commoner, Robin?”
“I’m the princess and you’re …”
“You’re blind, Sepherym. Spoiled and stupid …”
The image shifted back and forth, as though Sephy were moving. At the edge of what Robin could see her arm came up but Zaine caught her wrist, pinning it to the wall.
“I’m a better match than either of them. You’d destroy everything your family built, tear the realm apart, with a poor marriage. Your family has always denied my family their rightful place. We’ve been passed over, generation after generation, ignored by the royal family we protect so faithfully.”
Fear churned through her until it tipped over into terror and she finally acted. She brought up her knee, hard, and he dropped to the ground. She didn’t wait. She took off at a dead run.
**Part 4 is a flash back that Robin is viewing inside Sephy's memories**
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