Tirus turned reluctantly back to Gwen.
“If it is an apology you want,” he said, “you will not get one out of me. The throne you sit on is rightfully mine. It always has been. I was passed over for your father, who was a lesser man than myself.”
Gwendolyn felt her cheeks redden at his words, but she breathed deep, remembering her father’s advice: never let people know what you’re thinking. And never let emotions sway your decisions. There were so many traps to avoid as ruler.
“You are nothing but an ambitious traitor,” Gwendolyn said, “a disgrace to the MacGil blood line. By all rights of our kingdom I should have you executed.”
Gwen paused, debating, letting her words resonate in the thick and heavy silence.
“But I shall not. Instead, you shall be banished to live out your days back o
