5. Benjin #2
Benjin snuck a glance at the woman in time to see her take up position in the doorway, grumbling about Haldric’s stubbornness. On that much, they could at least both agree. She watched warily as Haldric approached Benjin, stopping only a handful of paces away from the chains.
Benjin forced himself to meet Haldric’s concerned gaze. “Hi, Hal,” he croaked. “So, what have you been up to these past few days?” He jingled the manacles on his wrists securing him to the back wall. “Because I’ve just been hanging around here.”
Tears welled up in Haldric’s eyes, Benjin’s poor attempt at humor falling flat. He stretched out a shaky hand, his fingers trembling as he cupped Benjin’s cheek. Despite his shame and uncertainty, Benjin found himself leaning into the touch. All too soon, Haldric dropped his hand.
“I-I’m sorry I didn’t come to see you sooner.” Haldric’s soft words were as shaky as his hand had been. “I wanted to, but…”
“It’s okay.” Swallowing, Benjin studied the silver circlet set atop Haldric’s brow. It was too painful right now to focus on his face.
“None of this is okay! I tried to convince them to keep you somewhere more comfortable, but they insisted that you be interred here.” Haldric shot a glare at the woman guarding the door.
She offered an unapologetic shrug. “This cell is specially warded. No magic, runeflame or otherwise, will work within its walls. It is a necessary precaution when dealing with a dark wizard.”
“And the chains?” Haldric demanded. His angry gesture caught the nearest strand, rattling them. “He’s hardly a threat without his magic!”
“He took out a good half-dozen of my guards and got the drop on Marshal Fendrel,” the woman said with a hint of begrudging respect. “I will not apologize for doing everything I must to ensure he remains safely ensconced here until the ritual to restore your memories is complete.”
“It’s fine,” Benjin repeated, cutting off Haldric’s protests.
“Really.” He licked his lips, attempting to sort his jumbled thoughts into words.
“I…I’ve had plenty of time to think down here, and I understand now why you wouldn’t go with me.
I should have listened when you said you wanted to stay and seek answers. ”
“I never wanted to hurt you.” Haldric’s voice came out pleading, edged with desperation. “You know that, right? And I’ll do everything I can to protect you, no matter what the ritual reveals.”
“I know.” Benjin hung his head, afraid to ask the question that had haunted him most since Dexil’s visit. He forced the words out anyway. “Do you…do you believe all this about a curse? That you’re really the prince, and that I…”
He trailed off, unable to bring himself to finish the thought. Somehow, speaking it aloud made the possibility feel far too real.
Haldric looked away, pulling back. “How can I not?” he said quietly. “It’s the only explanation right now that seems to make any sense.”
Benjin wished he could deny it, could prove that Haldric was mistaken, but Dexil’s visit had left Benjin equally torn by doubt.
“I’d never do anything to hurt you either,” he said weakly, knowing it wasn’t enough. That the assurance meant far too little given their present circumstances.
Still, he was grateful when Haldric met his eyes and gave him a pained smile. “I know.”
“Time to go,” the woman barked from the doorway. “I allowed you this brief visit, Your Highness, but you can’t linger here—not while the boy’s insidious spell still grips your mind.”
Scowling, Haldric glanced at her and arched a brow. With the silver crown and his fine cloths, he pulled off the haughty look almost too well.
“I thought I was the prince?”
Despite Haldric’s imperious manner, she snorted and shook her head, appearing more amused than intimidated.
“So, now you accept your birthright? You can’t have it both ways, Haldric, denying the responsibility except when it suits you.
” Her fierce grin cut off his attempted protest. “Besides, your father named me your guardian. Until you ascend the throne, I technically outrank you.”
His shoulders slumping, Haldric sighed. “Fine. If you insist.” He fixed Benjin with a strained smile. “I’m not sure if anyone’s told you yet, but Grand Magus Dexil is almost ready to perform the ritual. It’s set to take place first thing tomorrow morning. We’ll get our answers then.”
Haldric began to walk away. He reached the center of the room and hesitated, his fists tightening at his sides, before suddenly spinning around and striding back to Benjin.
Benjin’s breath caught as Haldric leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his cheek, lingering long enough for Benjin to feel the warm caress of his breath. The skin there burned as if set ablaze by Haldric’s touch. Had Benjin’s hands not been bound, he’d have reached up to touch the spot.
“When this is over, I swear I’ll make you eggs just the way you like them,” Haldric murmured. He held Benjin’s gaze for a span of heartbeats, his face a reflection of Benjin’s own inner turmoil, before finally turning and following his aunt from the room.
Benjin mulled over Haldric’s departing words long into the night. While he couldn’t deny his relief at an approaching end to this horror, the truth terrified him almost as much as not knowing. Would he even recognize the person he became once he regained his memories? He hoped so.
At least this would all be over soon. Either he’d be vindicated, found innocent of everything they claimed…or he deserved whatever fate they condemned him to.