The Third Son (49 page)

“Of that I am well aware,” Serge said with a scowl, not at all amused. “But please allow me to plead my case before you refuse,” he said. “I think you are being hasty. You have been king for well over a year and from what I can see, things could not be better if I were in your place. You would have made both Father and Lionus proud.”

“Yes, except for the very obvious fact that if father and Lionus were still alive, I would not be in this position. I would still be the drunken third son. It isn’t right for me to stay in this position when you are alive and well. It is your right as the second son to sit upon the throne. I should never have allowed mother to coerce me into going to the council in the first place. I was so discouraged by the prospect of you dying in that bed upstairs, that I went against my better judgment and went to the council. They declared you incompetent, unfit to rule and named me king in your stead.” Damien buried his face in his hands. Serge rose from his seat and went around the desk to place a firm hand on Damien’s shoulder.

“You did what was necessary,” he said, knowing that he meant every word. “No one could have asked you to do any different. Cardenas needed a leader and you stepped in to fill the position. I could not be prouder to call you my brother.”

Damien shook his head. “It wasn’t right. I don’t know how you’ll ever forgive me.”

“There is nothing to forgive. Things are they way they should be. You are king. You got to marry the woman you love and make her your queen and start a family. I won’t take that away from you.”

Damien nodded decisively and stood. He paced slowly in front of the fireplace before turning to Serge. “There’s more,” he said. “I had a feeling that you would react this way and took the time to devise another way to make things right. The council has already approved and will await word from me. If you accept this offer, it will give me an opportunity to fix this and it will take a tremendous load off of my shoulders as well.”

“I am listening.”

“As you know, the situation in Barony has become volatile. The people are terrified and angry and the rebel army has multiplied greatly in the years since Isabelle has been in hiding.”

Serge nodded. The king of Barony had negotiated a betrothal between Isabelle and Lionus, the crowned prince. Upon their marriage, Lionus and Isabelle were to have been king and queen of both Cardenas and Barony, thereby preserving the royal line through them

The two families and countries united, the rebel force would be easily vanquished and Barony would be at peace once again.

Unfortunately, Lionus’ death had complicated everything. Damien and Esmeralda were technically still king and queen of both Cardenas and Barony, but Serge knew that the people were not happy about it. They had expected their long lost princess returned to her rightful place on the throne. 

“I would have thought the rebel army leader dead by now,” Serge said, joining his brother beside the fireplace. “It has been twenty years since Isabelle was sent here.”

“We are not sure if he is still living or not. In either case his son has played a great role in the rebellion,” Damien said with a scowl. “The bastard is pillaging Barony’s villages, burning down houses and taking all for his plunder. He captures and rapes women and makes slaves of children and kills the men who will not join him in his fight. I fear he is a greater foe than we could have imagined.”

“So, where do I come in?”

“As you know, Isabelle has remained here since Lionus’ death and I have allowed her adequate time to mourn him. I believe the time has come for her to take her rightful place as queen of Barony.”

“You would send her back to Barony alone?”

“No,” said Damien with a shake of his head. “I hope to send her back with you as her husband.”

Elise Marion is a lover books and has a special place in her heart for sweet and sensual romance. Writing about love across all walks of life is her passion, as is reaching people through the written word. The Army wife and stay-at-home mother of two spends most of her time taking care of her children. Her second job includes writing stories about characters that people can fall in love with. When the Texas native isn’t caring for her family or writing, you can usually find her with her nose in a book, singing loudly, or cooking up something new in the kitchen.

The Second Son
(Kings of Cardenas Book #2)

Now available

The Lady Knights of Barony
(Kings of Cardenas Book #2.5)

Now Available

Fallen
(Angels Among Us Book #1)

Now available

Tempted
(Angels Among Us Book #2)

Now Available

Cake

Now Available

The Valentine’s Masquerade

Now Available

The Secret Life of Avery O’Dea

Now Available

Coming Soon

Redemption
(Angels Among Us Book #3)

October/November 2012

Gypsy Rose
(Kings of Cardenas Book #3)

December 2012/January 2013

The Mistress
(Kings of Cardenas #3.5)

2013

The Gypsy
(Kings of Cardenas #4)

2013

The Groom
(A Contemporary Romance)

2013

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