Broken Vows

Eamon

I sit down and take a large drink; the syrupy sweet taste of elderberry fills my mouth and tickles my nose unpleasantly. I’m processing what he just said, and it’s stuck replaying in my brain; his wife, his son, he knew about them?

“I’m confused, your majesty. Perhaps you can enlighten me a bit better?” I fight to keep my tone flat. I don’t want to give anything away; it is better to let him tell me before I betray myself too much. Gavin takes a long breath, trying to steady himself.

“I met her on accident, my Melantha. I was wandering lost in the woods, and there she was. She was so beautiful and strong, so much more than I am. She was better than me in every way. I was a better man just knowing her. She hated me at first, and it took me forever to win her over. When I finally did, I tried everything to get the Fae council to let me make her my queen. If you thought for a moment that I was indeed the king of this castle, you would be very wrong. I hold the title and nothing more. It has been a long time since the position held any real clout around here. My father was the last true king, but his early death and my young age led to the council stepping in. They still like to have a figurehead or, rather, a scapegoat to act as the face of all their decisions. Still, I can assure you I have not made a decision since I was with her.

She made me want to try and be king to be a better man for her and my people. I wanted to regain the throne and my authority just to be with her. I married her in secret and set her up in a small cottage just for us; I would stay with her as much as possible, and I fought with the counsel daily, trying to regain my power. This power should have always been mine. But time was ticking, and the harder I fought with them, the more they threatened to take from me. Had had to keep Melantha hidden from them for her own safety. She soon had my son, who was as perfect as her, with white-blond hair matching hers. She called him Eamon, after my father. I was more determined to bring them home. I honestly did try, but when the boy was ten, I learned that there was some kind of an accident and they had been killed. I went to the little cabin just to find it destroyed. I couldn’t find them, no matter how I searched for them.

I only wanted her, and the rumors of my discretions are greatly exaggerated. The council thinks I need to have a reputation as a ladies’ man though I am far from it. For as many transgressions as I am said to have had. Do you actually know any of the ladies?” Gavin is squeezing the arm of the chair, and I can hear the wood creek under his grip. I sit thinking for a moment, and no, I can’t say that I have ever known any of his alleged conquests. I shake my head and take another sip of the liquor. My head was getting a little clouded, so I put the drink down. I can’t afford to lose all judgment just in case I am being played for a fool. I will not be anyone’s fool again.

“You can’t think of any because there haven’t been any not since Melantha, my flower. There will be no other. Now please tell me what you know.” The pleading in his voice and eyes is not something I ever expected from this proud and cocky king. I’m quickly figuring out that I don’t know him at all. I thought I did, but clearly, I have been mistaken. I hope he will want to help me once he learns what I have to tell him.

“I’m sorry that you have been nothing but a pawn in whatever game the council is playing, but what I have to share with you won’t be happy news, I’m afraid.” I am trying my best to think of a gentle way to tell him his son grew to be a madman and more than likely turned out that way because of his mother.

“I really don’t know much, only what Hadeon or rather Eamon has told me.” I let my words sink in, and realization flashes on the king’s face.

“You are telling me that your husband is my son? How could I not have known him? I admit that I have never met him; come to think of it, I have never been in the same room as him. He was never there in any meetings we were ever meant to have. He always sent another in his place. It was odd, but I brushed it off because of your health.”

“Well, my health was greatly impacted by him. He was draining me of my power. He admitted to doing the same to his mother, and I believe it finally killed her. I don’t know why she turned to dark magic, but I know that she taught Hadeon everything he knows. She filled his head with thoughts for power, and I know he wants nothing more than to rule the world. He plans to take over everything, and those that don’t bow down to him will suffer. He nearly killed me trying to take my powers, and he did kill our daughter. I watched her fade away in front of me. I don’t know how he has managed it, but he is holding death as his prisoner and using him to destroy entire groups of people. He’s collecting their souls and using their magic to make his own stronger.” I feel like I might have said too much and worry that I played my hand too soon.

“I don’t know why she would corrupt him. He was a sweet and loving boy. She doted on him, but she was kind and sweet herself. She was a witch, but she didn’t medal in dark things. She knew better than that. Her own father showed her the price of dark arts. He paid a heavy price for meddling. His soul was what it cost him when he started tampering with darkness.” Gavin is sitting with his head in his palm, the news of everything sinking in. I wish I wasn’t the one to give him this news.

“I am just as unsure what led her to the darkness. Perhaps she got tired of waiting on the council to accept her as queen. Perhaps she believed that you had been untrue to her.” I don’t mean to sound severe with my words. I feel as though I am being harsher than I intend.

“No!” Gavin yells, snapping his head up and staring me down, his green eyes looking like burning emeralds. At that moment, I can see the unmistakable resemblance in Hadeon, and I gasp involuntarily.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to.” Gavin’s body and face soften, and I see the pain that he is in. He has known that Melantha is gone, but still, he had hope of finding his son, and he is clearly distraught to learn that his son is a monster of a man.

“I came to you today because there is a war brewing with the shifters, and the few witches, Hadeon doesn’t control are tired of living in fear. He does mean to destroy the world as we know it. We must stop him, your highness.” Now I feel like I’m the one begging him for help, and I curse myself mentally for not remaining stronger.

“You are asking me to help you kill my son?” Gavin is blunt and to the point, but I see the sadness in his eyes; I can barely stand it.

“I am.” I hold firm and sound sure and confident though I know I am anything but that on the inside. I know I need to be stronger to beat Hadeon on my own. How can I possibly hope to win any of this without help?

“I can’t. I’m sorry. I can’t hurt my son, and the council will never agree to go to war, and I told you I have no power of my own.” Gavin is looking at the floor now, and I feel all the hope draining from me. I feel cold and lost picking up the glass of liqueur and downing more of it just to feel something, even if it is just the overly sweet burn of alcohol. Now, what am I going to do?

“I can offer you this. Gavin slips a ring off his finger, and the large green emerald sparkles in the sunlight. I stand and walk closer to him; my legs are unsteady from nerves and alcohol. As he places the ring in my hand, I feel its magic. Like my neckless, the precious stone has been fed magic. To the point that it almost feels alive with a pulse and life all its own. How much magic has Gavin placed in here, and why would he?

“I wish I could do more.” Gavin holds my hand in his looking deep into my eyes, and I feel the sincerity in his words.

“I wish you could as well Hadeon is not the boy you remember,” I remark cooly, thinking of all I lost and gripping the ring in my hand.

“I can see that. I am sorry that I couldn’t save him from that fate. I don’t know what happened. I probably never will. I have the feeling that he wants me dead.” Gavin is still staring into my soul, and I nod. I know Hadeon planned to kill him.

“He had mentioned it,” I remark, and Gavin nods.

“I would welcome it at this point. I will try to convince the council that this Hadeon is a threat we should take more seriously, but I doubt they will listen to me.” Gavin lets my hand go and stands, “I wish I knew my granddaughter. I always wanted a large family.”

His last words bring a tear to my eye, and I suck in a sharp breath. I was unprepared for his warmth and kindness. I can see that he genuinely wishes there was more he could do, but he is no more than a face on the throne if what he says is true. I have no reason to doubt him or believe him, but it is clear that I will get very little help from him.

“You know I have a very extensive library with more than a few ancient texts that you may find useful.” Gavin seems to have a sudden idea and is looking at me, hopefully. I feel my own hope return to me as well.

“I would like to look at those books, your majesty,” I say slowly, a smile pulling at the corner of my mouth. The Fae library holds all of the oldest magical knowledge known to us. They have been the keeper of the texts for centuries, and few have been in the library that is not Fae.

“Well, I can still arrange that for you, but only if you call me Gavin. We are family.” Gavin gives me a sad smile, and I give him one in return. We are family. Strangely and painfully, we are the only family the other has. I am strangely un alone now.

“What will you do when Hadeon comes for you if I can’t stop him in time?” I need to know what Gavin has planned. Will he fight back?

“I will welcome death,” Gavin utters the words slowly and so low I barely hear them. My heart breaks for him because I understand how he feels. I would gladly welcome death as well, but only after I stop Hadeon. I have to do that. I have to stop him.