26. Twenty-Three

Twenty-Three

L iam's cane clapped loudly on the stone floor as he walked through the dungeon. Takai had been thrown down there after being captured for helping the prisoners escape. He knew he had no reason to speak with Takai, but he was curious to know why someone he considered a friend would betray that trust for complete strangers. Even more, he wanted to know why the soldier would drag Lily into his plans.

He stopped by one of the cells and looked through the bars.

Takai sat on the cell bed, elbows rested on his knees, eyes staring at the floor.

Liam cleared his throat loudly, drawing Takai's attention to him. "I can't say I didn't warn you."

Takai leaned back. "I wish I could say you helped. You had the opportunity."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Takai shook his head and chuckled dryly before he rested his back against the wall. "So when is my last day, Your Highness?"

Liam frowned. "Don't pretend you suddenly respect me."

"Oh, I don't. Not now."

Liam's chest clenched with anger and his grip tightened on his cane. "Where is Lily? Did you allow them to take her too?"

"You forced her to flee when you told her you would execute her."

"I am not the one who dragged her into the escape plan!" Liam snapped. "She never would have done it on her own!"

Takai folded his arms. "Why are you really here? You didn't come down here just to yell at me. Not when you have a war to prepare for."

Liam studied him. "I would have liked having you at my side for this. They had the cure and didn't use it to help my mom. I read my mother's journal. They had attempted amputations on several others, but the plague stopped them from clotting. They bled to death each time. My mother believed the potion Rose gave to me healed me. She wrote letters for help and no one helped. She died because of them. They had a choice and chose not to save her. I deserve revenge."

"Do you, though?" Takai stood and walked to the door. "With all due respect, your men murdered Prince Asher's mother too. Is he then justified in bringing his people into our kingdom to murder our men and women? If you believe that, we will be forever trapped in wars because both sides feel justified in their actions. Is that the legacy you wish to leave?"

Liam shook his head. "You couldn't possibly understand my responsibilities. My father has put me in charge of this war, and I will not let him down. I will make my mother proud of me."

"I don't think your mother would approve of you or anyone destroying another kingdom in her name."

Liam slammed his cane on the bars, making Takai jump back. "Don't speak of things you know nothing about!" Spit sprayed from his lips and he trembled with rage. "I'll see you at your execution." His lip twitched.

Takai's brows pinched and his hands slowly opened at his sides. "You're truly going through with it? My death?"

Liam straightened. "It's my father's will."

"You could stop him if you wanted to," Takai tried.

Liam looked back at the soldier just a few years older than himself. Takai didn't really deserve to die, and he knew that's what Takai felt. But someone had to be an example to others. Especially when Liam had warned him this very thing could happen and he'd still insisted on breaking the law.

"May I at least say goodbye to my loved ones?" Takai asked, his tone now solemn. "My partner and family?"

Liam shrugged. "I'll see if I can arrange that." He turned away and walked toward the exit.

With his anger slowly fading as he walked through the castle, his mind was locked on Takai. In spite of his anger, he wasn't sure he could bring himself to actually send Takai to an early grave. Moreover, he couldn't help but feel having Takai on their side would be beneficial down the road.

"Liam, you're distracted," his father said.

Liam stopped walking and turned to see his father standing in the doorway to his office. Liam had walked right past it, so he had to turn around and backtrack. He cleared his throat. "I was thinking about Takai."

"Ah. Yes." His father nodded. "It is unfortunate that he had to do what you warned him not to. He was a good soldier."

" Is a good soldier," Liam emphasized. "Father, what if he could help us? What if...if I bring him with me and the other soldiers, and Lily sees that he's still alive, it might make them more vulnerable. They may believe that I'm not so cruel."

His father raised an eyebrow. For some reason, it was the first time Liam noticed the few gray hairs in it. "You want me not to execute him?"

Liam stepped into his office and ran a hand over his face. "I don't know what I want right now. I'm angry that he and Lily went behind my back and betrayed my trust. I want revenge for my mother's death. I want to find a way to bring her back. I don't care about Takai, to be honest." He faced his father. "He is the least of my worries. I've sent out letters today across the land summoning our men, and they should begin arriving tomorrow. Why should I care about one soldier?"

His father placed his hands on Liam's shoulders. "Because that soldier could cause dissent among your entire army if you let him get away with something as noticeable as letting a king and prince escape with the wizard's apprentice. What he did was no small thing, Son. If you turn a blind eye, he will influence others. When you become a king and he disagrees with a decision you make, others will follow him when they should follow you. You must decide now what sort of king you wish to be."

Liam looked into his father's eyes. Now? Liam didn't want to choose now. He didn't want to make such a dramatic decision as taking another man's life.

But what his father said was true.

Takai had made his choice to follow through with freeing the prisoners even after Liam had warned him not to. Takai couldn't be left to cause dissension in the future.

"Then...we go through with the execution," Liam said with finality. His heart jumped. He wasn't sure if it was from excitement or dread.

His father nodded and lowered his hands to his sides. "Good choice."

"He has requested to see his family and partner before he is executed."

"You can allow that. We will schedule his execution for three days from now, when all of our army has gathered. You will lead the army from his execution to the land of Vasha."

A nervous excitement burned through Liam. "I will make you proud, Father. For now, I must go to Sir Andrew and check on the status of our men coming in." He bowed to his father.

"You already make me proud, my son."

Liam saw the pride in his father's eyes and couldn't resist a small smile.