Free Sleepers by Megg Jensen Page B

willing the fires to stop. I knew what she meant. I felt it. But the anger wouldn’t let go. It tore at me, writhing around inside.
    “Just once, I took a chance on my heart. Just one time. I’d loved him from afar and I knew he loved me too. Only one time did we ever let go of who we were supposed to be and gave in to who we are.”
    “Who?” I whispered. “Who’s the father?”
    Mags turned around and sat on her bed, taking Trevin out of his bassinette and into her arms.
    “He doesn’t know Trevin is his.” She kissed Trevin’s nose.
    “He should know.”
    “And what good would that do?” Her bloodshot eyes now flashed with anger instead of sadness. “I didn’t even tell him and yet someone else found out and told the king. As for proof, I have no idea what kind of proof they could have offered him. We took care to leave nothing behind. No one could have known.”
    “Someone has enough proof to convince the king,” I said, “otherwise he wouldn’t be threatening to execute you and Trevin. But why isn’t he going to execute the father?”
    Mags repositioned Trevin in her arms, stroking his hair. She glanced back at me.
    “Is it possible he doesn’t know who the father is?” she asked. “We’re being punished and he isn’t.”
    “Does he know the father?” I asked. “Would he even care?”
    “Oh, he would care,” Mags said. “He would care very much. And that’s another reason I won’t tell you. If the king doesn’t know, then no one else needs to know either. It was our agreement, made in the dark, that no one would ever know. Do you see now why you need to save Trevin? If you can get away with him, the king can kill me and be done with it. Trevin would never inherit the throne. His brothers are in line before him. No one would even care if I am gone.”
    I felt the fire flicker. I imagined the flames blue, no longer red, burning out slowly. My belly relaxed, my muscles softened. She’d allowed herself one night, one moment to herself and she was willing to accept the consequences.
    “I have no life here, Lianne,” she continued. “If I die, I die. My older sons will be raised to the throne and Trevin will live happily elsewhere. With you. You’ve been so kind to both of us and I know you would make a good mother to him.”
    I wanted to laugh, but I held my tongue. I saw how serious Mags was, how much she wanted this scenario to be true.
    “I could never be a mother to him. He’s your son. I do love him, but not like a mother should. He needs you and I can make sure you have each other.”
    “How?” she asked. “I can’t leave. Everyone would see me go. I’m the queen, everyone knows my face. And I know you, Lianne. I know you don’t have it in you to kill Rotlar.”
    “I can figure something out. We have a week’s time. Please Mags, don’t give up. Not yet,” I begged. I was angry with her, but I couldn’t condemn her to death.
    The chamber door opened and Albree walked in, flanked by two guards.
    “We’re here to take you in to custody, my queen,” the first said. He didn’t look Mags in the eyes. Whether it was out of shame or deference, I couldn’t tell, but Mags stared straight at them. She placed Trevin back in his bassinette, stood up straight and threw her shoulders back.
    “I’m so sorry, my queen,” Albree cried, throwing herself at Mags’ feet. “We got here at the same time. I didn’t mean to walk in with them. Please don’t think I had anything to do with this.”
    “Who will be caring for my son?” Mags asked the guards, ignoring Albree. “I won’t leave until I know he’s in safe hands.”
    They still wouldn’t look at her and she glanced over at me. I knew what she wanted, for me to run with Trevin. But I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t let her sacrifice herself.
    “The king has chosen a family for him, for now,” the guard said. His throat bobbed up and down as he swallowed. “He will stay with the family of your lady-in-waiting.”
    He