Fourth Arc (Thorns of The Black Throne) - 492. Power Changes People
Jane's chest tightened.
Her father's face flashed through her mind.
The way his jaw clenched when nobles compared Pontus to other kingdoms.
The way he avoided prolonged eye contact with Angel earlier that day.
The way Seraphine always stood just slightly behind him, whispering.
Rose's hand squeezed hers gently.
Jane's eyes burned faintly.
"I don't want him to be that way," she admitted softly.
Rose's voice was steady.
"Wanting doesn't change patterns."
Jane let out a shaky breath.
"He wasn't always like this."
Angel's gaze softened slightly.
"Power changes people."
Jane shook her head faintly.
"No. Fear does."
That hung heavier than anything else she had said.
Angel did not argue.
Rose watched Jane carefully, thumb still brushing faint circles over her knuckles.
Jane inhaled slowly.
"I used to think my mother was strong because she endured him."
Her voice trembled faintly.
"Now I wonder if she was just tired."
Rose's expression shifted.
Gentler.
"Endurance is strength," she said quietly. "But so is knowing when not to endure."
Jane's eyes shimmered slightly in the candlelight.
She blinked quickly.
"I don't want Roric to become small," she whispered.
Angel leaned back slowly.
"He won't," he said calmly.
Jane looked at him.
"You sound certain."
"I am."
Rose nodded in agreement.
"He's already pushing back."
Jane's lips parted faintly.
"You saw that too?"
Rose smiled faintly.
"Yes."
Jane felt something loosen in her chest.
A knot she hadn't realized she'd been holding for years.
She looked down again, but this time her hands were steadier.
The silence that settled now felt different.
Less suffocating.
More grounded.
Angel stood and walked toward the window, looking out at the darkened courtyard below.
"Then we handle Darius carefully," he said calmly. "Before fear becomes something worse."
Jane nodded slowly.
Her fingers had finally stopped trembling. The fragile smile she wore now was more controlled, less for others, more for herself.
"Now take a rest," Rose said gently.
Jane blinked. "You don't?"
Rose's lips curved faintly. "We have something to do."
Jane understood the tone immediately.
She rose from her seat, smoothing her skirt lightly. "I understand."
Her voice carried no teasing, no suspicion. Just quiet awareness.
As Rose and Angel moved toward the door, Jane's gaze lingered on them for a second longer than necessary.
They moved in sync without trying.
Jane assumed they simply wanted space.
Space for intimacy.
The thought made her chest ache faintly, not from jealousy, but from a distant longing for something uncomplicated.
Two knights stepped into place outside her chamber door as Rose escorted her there. Angel gave a short nod to them.
"Guard her."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The door closed softly behind Jane.
She leaned against it for a moment once she was alone.
The silence inside her chamber was thick. Moonlight spilled through the tall windows, casting pale lines across the floor.
She exhaled slowly.
And for once, she allowed herself to drop the mask entirely.
No confusion.
No fragility.
Just exhaustion.
Rose followed Angel down the dim corridor to his chamber. Guards stationed at intervals straightened as he passed.
The door shut behind them with a muted click.
Angel did not light additional candles.
He preferred the dark.
Rose crossed the room slowly, fingers brushing the back of a carved chair.
"What are we going to do next?" she asked quietly.
Angel loosened the clasp of his cloak, letting it fall over the armrest.
"I will look around," he said calmly.
"With your Evil Eye?"
He nodded once.
Rose moved closer.
"Seems like the only thing we can do," Angel continued, "is help Roric regain his complete sense."
His tone was steady.
"And help Jane reclaim her status."
Rose leaned lightly against the table, folding her arms.
"That method is better," she agreed softly. "Before it turns into full-scale war."
Angel's jaw tightened faintly.
"Yes."
Rose exhaled slowly.
"An insecure king could become a disaster for his own kingdom."
Angel's gaze shifted toward the window.
"And for his neighbors."
Rose's fingers tapped lightly against her sleeve.
"It seems Darius had a purpose from the beginning," she murmured. "Keeping Seraphine by his side."
Angel's eyes darkened slightly.
"Yes."
Rose tilted her head.
"Maybe his insecurity is the main reason."
Angel let out a quiet breath.
"He needs her."
"For what?" Rose asked.
"To control Roric."
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