Cain's Identity(30)

When he reached the solid double doors that Abel had opened, Cain peered inside the massive foyer, which looked like the VIP reception area of an exclusive resort. The walls were painted red and adorned with priceless paintings. He recognized a Matisse and a Monet and had no doubt that they were genuine. A flower arrangement dominated the massive table in the middle of the room.
There were three doors.
He watched as Abel pointed to the one on the left and addressed Thomas. “The leader of the king’s guards occupies this room, the second in command the room to the right.”
“And the middle door?” Thomas asked.
Abel’s gaze wandered to where Cain stood. “The king’s suite. But I should let my brother show you around. After all, this is his domain.”
Cain entered. “Later. First, we need to talk about the throne.”
Abel took a step toward the door of the king’s suite, making a motion to open it. Cain stopped him. “With my guards present.”
Abel turned. “Surely, you don’t want to discuss confidential matters in front of your guards.”
“I have no secrets from them. As a matter of fact, I believe that too many secrets may have contributed to my abduction. And I have no intention of letting the same thing happen twice.”
“What are you saying, brother?”
“I’m saying I want things out in the open. I understand that you would have been crowned king in a week, had I not returned. You must be disappointed.”
Abel shook his head, letting out a breath. “Disappointed? Cain, as you remember well, I was disappointed when the clan chose you as the new king instead of me, though we’d planned it otherwise, hadn’t we? Nevertheless, I stood by you and took the role you wanted me to take. Have I not served you well?”
Cain inclined his head, remaining impassive, not wanting to let on that he had no idea what plan Abel was talking about. What had they planned?
“No matter what my hopes were, I’m overjoyed to find you alive and well. The crown is yours. It’s always been. As for Faye . . .”
Keeping his stoic face, Cain didn’t show that he already guessed what Abel wanted to say. “What about Faye?”
Abel glanced at Thomas, Haven, and Wesley who stood watching the exchange silently. “Are you sure you want me to talk about personal matters in front of your men?”
“Talk.”
Abel shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Well, you might as well hear it from me, before the rumor mill spreads it. Faye and I are engaged.”
His brother paused, clearly to wait for Cain’s reaction. Cain complied, feigning shock.
Abel lifted his hand. “You must understand. She grieved for you; we all did. We had no idea you were alive all this time. She was lonely and sought comfort. And you know of course that the position she was in was a temporary one. She knew she would lose her home, her privileges, everything, once I would be crowned king. You can’t really blame her.” He shoved a hand through his hair.#p#分页标题#e#
“Blame her for what?” Cain ground out, not liking the direction the conversation was taking. What was Abel trying to tell him?
“Listen, Cain, I shouldn’t really be the one to tell you this. Let her explain things to you.”
Cain made a few steps toward his brother, grinding his teeth. “Blame her for what?” he repeated.
“Damn it, Cain, don’t make me say it. I’m sure, deep down she’s a good woman, but—”
Cain gripped his brother by the shirt. “But what?”
“I’m just a man. I have no defenses against a woman like her. You know she can seduce anybody she wants.” Abel’s eyes bored into him. “Damn it, do I have to spell it out? She threw herself at me once it was clear that I would be the next king. She wants to be queen, no matter what. And fool that I am, I couldn’t resist her. To make love to a woman like her . . .” He let the sentence hang in the room.
Cain’s hands curled into fists. His brother had made love to the woman who was meant to be Cain’s. Jealousy reared its ugly head once again, launching a spear into his heart to make it bleed. Faye had been the one who’d made a play for Abel so she could be queen after all. Did this mean that the reason she’d wanted to marry him, Cain, was not because she’d loved him, but because she wanted to be sitting on the throne beside him? How could he ever trust a woman like her?
With a curse, he let go of Abel and turned away from him. “It’s late. The sun will rise in an hour. We’ll discuss court business tonight. Leave us now.”
Only when he heard the double doors close behind his brother and his footsteps grow distant did Cain turn to his friends.