Reign: The Haunting Read Online Free Page A

concern etched into his features, he stopped, his throat suddenly seizing up. He couldn’t tell her. As soon as she knew, she would share the burden of guilt. While he was the only person who knew of the events that had led to his father’s death, his family was safe. If two people knew the truth, whoever the second might be, they would be in danger. A secret only stayed a secret if the owner took it to his grave.
    â€œMy son,” Catherine implored. “Speak to me.”
    â€œLeave me be.” He snatched his wrists from her hands and pulled away. “Everything is fine. The nurse has been sent away, the dreams are dreams and nothing more.”
    Instead of giving in to his mother’s plea, as he dearly wished to, Francis turned away, crashing into a servant carrying a trayful of drinks. Goblets clattered to the ground, splashing the servant, Francis, and his mother with wine.
    â€œYour Grace, I’m s-s-so sorry,” the servant stuttered, bowing to his king and grabbing for the goblets as they rolled around the floor. “I didn’t see you.”
    â€œThat’s quite obvious.”
    In his rush to leave, Francis stepped on one of the fallen goblets and lost his footing, slipping over and barreling into the servant. Even Catherine gasped as her son struck him in the head in an attempt to prevent his fall.
    â€œI’m sorry.” Francis, on his knees, clawed at his hair to push it back out of his eyes. “I didn’t mean—”
    â€œBrother.” Bash was by his side once more. He grabbed Francis’s shoulder with one firm hand and hauled him to his feet. Francis let Bash lead him out of the hall, away from the staring nobles who surrounded him. “Whatever is the matter, tell me now. I’ve never seen you this out of control.”
    â€œOut of control?” Francis replied in a restrained growl. “I’m out of control? Leave me alone, Bash, you have no idea of the pressures I am under. Go back to Father’s whore. I mean, your wife.”
    Bash looked at his brother with such ferocity he felt that he could happily drive a sword right through his chest.
    â€œGood night, Your Grace,” he said through gritted teeth. “I suggest you get some sleep.”
    Alone in the dark hallway, the irony of his brother’s words was not lost on Francis. Alone in the dark, he began to laugh. Quietly at first, it built into uncontrollable hysterics as he wandered down through the castle and out into the night.
    *  *  *
    â€œShouldn’t you be at the party?”
    Lola opened the cottage door to find Francis shivering on the doorstep.
    â€œI’m not welcome,” he replied, following her inside and kneeling beside his son’s crib. “It’s not safe here, Lola.”
    â€œWhat’s happened?” she asked, immediately alert. “Where’s Mary? Is she safe?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Francis laughed softly, stroking the baby’s cheek. “But I know he isn’t. I have to send him away from court.”
    â€œFrancis, no.” Lola stood over the crib, staring down at the wild-eyed king. “Whatever is happening, tell me. We’re safer here, with you to protect us. That was your decision.”
    â€œA decision I have reversed,” he said, standing and staring Lola in the eye. “I am your king and when I make a decree it is law. There will be no questions. He will leave tomorrow.”
    â€œHe?” Lola’s lip trembled as her fingertips reached out for the edge of the crib. Her baby began to stir, whining in his sleep. “What about me?”
    â€œWhat about you?” Francis replied. “Have him ready to leave by midday. I’ll make the arrangements.”

Chapter Four
    â€œAre you planning on making a habit of hiding from me?” Mary opened the door to Francis’s old rooms. He sat at his work desk, striking a finishing stone against a new