When Alexis reached the king's chamber and saw his father lying under heavy blankets, motionless and pale, the sight stole the last words from his mouth.
The old man looked smaller than the way he had ever known him to be,
flattened by sickness into a shape that breathed but did not live. Alexis couldn't bear to even stare at this, he glanced back at his mouth in fury.
"What did you do to him?" Alexis demanded as he turned, and Queen Sephora stepped forward as if to answer.
"Alexis, I gave you life," she cried out, the words spilling out in a rush.
"Why do you hate me so much? The least you could do is show me respect. I did all things I did for the betterment of the realm. It's been years since I last saw my son and the first thing you do is hurt your brother?"
Alexis turned his glare on her. The fury in his eyes made her step back.
"Mother, are you trying to get me mad?" he said, and swallowed hard.
