"You fool."
Lady Gwen held his arm, "Alexander, please."
"Very well," Then he turned again to Madelyn. "I believed you upright once, I see I was wrong. For his sake, I will stay my judgement, but I will never trust you."
"Thank you, Your Maje—"
"Listen to me carefully, Princess," he drew closer, towering over her. "If anything should befall my brother, if any harm whatsoever should come to him by your hand or your doing, death would be your mercy. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Madelyn answered, sniffling.
"There will never come such a day," Brand said.
Alexander held his gaze a moment longer, then a mocking smile crossed his face. He turned away. "You may depart."
Brand exhaled deeply, finally rising to his feet. "Thank you."
He gave another bow while Madelyn curtsied. Her hands trembled faintly at her sides, her face still pale, and her eyes shadowed with the remnants of fear, but beneath, relief escaped with her sigh.
