The Dragon Brothers
Chapter 18 - Prince Ambrose

Lucian POV

As I wait for the doctor to tell me what's wrong it feels like my heart is in my throat. It's been over a day now and I slept here in the doctor's office. I'm pacing the office back and forth. All I can think of is this is all my fault. She did this because of me and that stupid kiss with Marji. She came to file papers to get a divorce. Her body was not healed enough after the miscarriage to walk all of the way from the castle into to the Capital's business district. Well, at least I went after her. At least I'm here. I can't imagine what might have happened to her if I hadn't been here. Would anyone have stopped and helped her? Or would she have just layed on the ground helpless? The mere thought makes both my blood boil with anger and my heart rate accelerate with fear. I can't let anything happen to my dear Viola.

"You can come in and see her." The doctor says as he leads me to a dark room. Viola is laying down. "She needs bed rest and I'll prescribe some medications." The doctor says as he writes some prescriptions down on a piece of paper and then leaves the room.

"Sweetheat! I was so worried about you. Can I take you home now? You can sleep in any room you would like too. But don't ever worry me like this again." I say as I grasp her hand and kneel worriedly at the side of her bed.

"The only room I want to be in is the same room that you're in. I don't want a divorce anymore. I never want to feel separate from you again." Viola says with tears in her eyes.

I pick Viola up bridal style and carry her all the way back to the castle and lay her down in our room. Things are finally back to normal. Tonight I will lie next to Viola but I will only hold her and I'll be happy with that. Maybe someday we can try again.

Viola POV

I'm going home in Lucian's arms. This whole mess is finally over with. I can forgive him for kissing the girl. Maybe he's right and the girl attacked him. It doesn't really matter anymore. It's time to move on. When I talked to the divorce lawyer he reminded me of when Anar kissed me and I kissed him back. I've never told Lucian about that. I wonder if I should now. I wonder what his reaction would be. Maybe I should tell him to wipe the slate clean so we can all move on. It makes me nervous thinking about it but I believe it is the right thing to do.

When we finally reached home Lucian had tucked me back into bed. I reached for him. "Lucian, there's something we need to discuss. When I had been kidnapped by the militia camp one of their young men got attached to me. Oh, this is so hard! He kissed me and I kissed him back. I felt like I should tell you so there weren't any secrets between us." I try to say as calmly as I can while suppressing tears.

Lucian got up and walked out of the room without saying a word. That was definitely not the reaction that I was expecting. I was thinking he might say 'it was okay and he understood' or he might yell but I didn't expect him to say nothing and then just walk out like he did. Tears started flowing from my eyes. I feel like I've been crying for days. I've cried over the miscarriage. I've cried because Lucian kissed that other girl. Now I'm crying over Lucian's rejection.

Finally, I marched into the King's study. I just couldn't take the silent treatment anymore."Lucian, Why are you treating me like this? It's no different than what you did."

"Actually, it's a lot different, Viola. I was attacked. While you were a willing participant and you put me through hell for what happened. Now if you don't mind I have work to do and a meeting with the Lords coming up." Lucian responds harshly and then turns his back on me.

I turn around and run away with tears streaming down my face. How could he be so cold hearted? Were my actions really so much worse? Was I really the bad guy in all this?

Over the next several months the staff and I began planning for the new year festival. There would be a large banquet with a ball for the empire's lords and a grand party at the end with chinese fireworks. The entertainment would include dancers, minstrels, troubadours, jesters, acrobats, fire-eaters, conjurers, a mystery play, and there would be a fair in the capital. It was the place to be for everyone in the empire and would last for several days. There were no reports of death threats and even the crime in the capital was kept to a minimum, so we were not too worried about security other than standard protocol.

I was sitting by Lucian on our platform. Even though he didn't like it, I was still the Queen and he had to sit next to me. However, he was barely speaking to me unless I spoke to him. I was trying to give him space to heal. I was watching the people dance wishing that Lucian would dance with me when I noticed someone that didn't quite fit in.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Lucian, I see a man that doesn't look quite right. I think maybe the guards might need to go check him out." I try tugging on Lucian's shirt to get him to notice me.

"Listen, I'm having a discussion with my brother, Prince Ambrose. I'll talk to you when I'm done." Lucian basically ignores me. Lucian is sitting and Prince Ambrose is leaning over him.

Not even two minutes later a knife is thrown and it hits Prince Ambrose in the throat. He falls on top of Lucian. I jump up screaming as I watch the blood shoot out of his neck. Lucian tries to clog the holes in Prince Ambrose's neck. "Guards! Arrest the man in the brown coat, brown slacks, and brown hat. He was just here a minute ago." I know it was him. Why didn't Lucia listen to me? Then we receive word that the guards have arrested him.

“Make sure he's taken in alive. I want to be the one that interrogates him." Lucian gives orders to the guards. The Royal Doctor comes for Prince Ambrose and he's whisked away by Lucian and Prince Cyprian. I'm left on the platform standing in shock. A maid comes to clean up the blood.

I realize that everyone has stopped dancing and is staring at our platform. "Please everyone go back to dancing and then go to the banquet. Everything will be alright." I try to calm people down as I'm not sure if we want to release news that there's been an attack on the crown just yet.

I go to find Prince Wolf. "Can you watch over the proceedings? I need to find Lucian and see how Prince Ambrose is doing." I'm hoping that he'll agree.

"Of course, sweet sister. Go find your husband." Prince Wolf smiles as he waves me off.

I find Lucian in Prince Ambrose's room. The doctor was just leaving as I came in. "Lucian what's going on?"

"Viola, He didn't make it." Lucian turns to me with tears in his eyes. "The guards caught the bastard that threw the knife. I'm going to the dungeon to interrogate now." Lucian says coldly. He has a dangerous look in his eye that makes me shiver. Lucian POV

I get to the dungeon and I find the man in a cell. "Take him out of the cell. I want to ask him some questions." I order a guard as I walk through the dungeon.

"Why did you kill my brother? Who sent you?" I demand as the man just looks back at me with a smirk. I punched him hard in the face. I'll ask you again. "Why did you kill my brother? Who sent you?" He lifts his head back up now with a bloody lip. I punch him in the face again knocking him to the floor and then I start kicking him in the stomach until he's coughing up blood. I grab him by his hair and lift his head up. "Why did you kill my brother? Who sent you?" He looks at me and laughs.

"The knife wasn't meant to kill your brother. It was meant to kill you." He keeps laughing and I punch him in the face again.

A/N Please drop me a comment and let me know if you like the story or the chapter. I love all feedback both critical and complimentary. Check out my other book Prince Justus and the Rogue. You can also go to my facebook page for chapter updates and updates on new projects. https://www.facebook.com/Sammi-From-Anystories-1020524119915