The Grand Duke Gave the Hostage Prince the Only Key novel · Chapter 14 of 24

Chapter 14: Do Not Bow

"Do not do that," Elior said.

Teodric straightened.

"Your Majesty," he said evenly, "I have had the guard doubled at your door.

"I have moved my things to the east wing.

"The Moot is asleep, but when it wakes, it will find a king under my roof.

"I will not have it said the north kept him warm."

"Say that again, without the voice."

"What voice?"

"The one you use for tallying the dead."

The duke was silent.

Elior stepped past him into the chamber with the wolfskin bed and shut the door.

Then he turned, and put his back against it, and looked up at him.

"Yesterday you were holding a prince," he said.

"Today it's a king, and you think that changes the weight of him.

"Say what you are afraid of."

Teodric's jaw worked.

"Whatever I do now, a Grand Duke is laying a hand on a sovereign.

"Whatever you say to me, you say it as a king, and I cannot tell if you mean it or if you are being kind to your keeper."

"That's what this is?"

"I have been a conqueror for one war.

"I would like not to be a jailer for a second."

"Teodric."

Elior crossed the floor and took the silver chain of office off his neck, and laid it on the table.

He undid the top button of the black coat.

"In the study, I asked.

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