"Father..."
Gideon's voice cut through the king's rage like a blade through silk. The prince rose quickly and laid a hand on his father's arm.
"Please."
His eyes pleaded silently.
Do not destroy what remains of our family.
Caleb Crescent's chest heaved.
After several tense breaths, he sat down.
Gideon turned to his mother and uncle and calmly repeated the terms he had prepared.
As Seraphina listened, she understood at once.
Her son was extending mercy.
Edward Crescent, however, sat in stunned disbelief.
He had expected prison.
He had expected disgrace.
He had expected execution.
Instead, he was being allowed to surrender the throne peacefully and retain his honor as he departed to govern Lucentis Province.
It was a gift far greater than he had dared hope for.
Yet the decision was not his alone. In fact, the decision was never his to begin with.
His eyes shifted to Seraphina.
