If You Leave, I Leave novel · Chapter 14 of 24

Chapter 14: Piers's Cut

Piers pressed play, and Verity's voice came out of the phone into the cell.

"The King keeps the vial in his household, darling. It's already filled. When the Stone is uncovered, my blood goes on it before hers does."

"And if the Stone refuses?" That was Piers, thin and tired.

"Then the King says it didn't. He's the King, Piers. Who stands up and tells him otherwise?"

There was the sound of a glass being set down.

"You were always the easy brother," Verity said, warmly. "Corwin will be mine by the full moon, and he'll never remember he had a choice."

Piers stopped it.

Nobody in the cell said anything for a moment.

"When did you record that?" Corwin asked.

"Last night, in the family wing, after the atrium," Piers said.

He looked at the stone floor.

"After I watched you get dragged off the stage, and she told the guards to kill you."

"You kept my secret for three years."

"I know," Piers said. "I'm done keeping it."

The next morning, he walked down the palace steps at ten o'clock.

Verity was on the top landing in a white coat, with a dozen cameras filming her new campaign.

She saw him and lit up.

"There he is. Darling, you look dreadful. Come stand with me."

"No," Piers said.

He said it loudly enough that the nearest camera swung round.

Verity's smile held.

"You're upset, and I understand."

"I'm not upset. I'm finished."

He climbed the last three steps and stood in front of her, in front of the lens.

"You called the photographer, and you used me to hurt my wife."

Keep reading free with an account. Start If You Leave, I Leave from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.