Chapter 19: One in the Same

The room fell to a silence that could’ve stopped Eris’ heart. The din of Morigana’s preparations were the only disruption as he stared up with bleary eyes at Marion. This wasn’t how he wanted them to find out. He wanted them to know, eventually, in his own time. It was a delicate matter, one he knew that they would be less than thrilled about.

“Please,” he rasped, his hand trembling in Marion’s. “Please, just listen,” he pleaded for a moment.

He was going to die, he was sure of this. He was going to die and Marion would be the only person who had seen him as more than an idol. More than an heir. More than a prince. The knight loved him. Adored him. Eris hoped they would adore him after he died. His chest was contracting and he was struggling to catch his breath. He could feel the ice in his lungs, in his throat.

“Marion, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” He exhaled with a breath heavy with frost.