Getting the truth out of the Queen

Marcus shuffled up to the bars until he stood right next to his Mother's kneeling form. He'd never seen her like this before. As long as he could remember, she was always so composed, even when he made her angry by doing something silly like trying to sneak into the stables to pet the horses. Instead of shouting at him, her voice would go high and cold and she had this way of gazing down at him that made him feel so guilty and small. Now, she stared blankly at the cell wall like she didn't even know he was there.

The young prince bit his lip anxiously, feeling a sharp pain inside his chest. Was this his fault too? He was sure Jenny had only been so mean and cruel because he'd gone along with her all this time and let her believe it was what he wanted. That made him even more **** to cheer his Mother up. He crouched awkwardly down over the dungeon floor just across from her, wishing the bars weren't there so he could hug her instead.

"Mother." He murmured softly. She stiffened, and then turned her head, her pretty blue eyes finding his face. A little gasping sigh made her body tremble as she stared at him in shock. Suddenly fresh tears were flowing down her cheeks, her ample chest heaving as she sniffled wetly. Seeing his Mother cry like this made the young prince's throat go all hot and tight, his eyes blinking blearily, threatening floods of his own tears.

"Marcus, my baby boy..." She sobbed. The young prince shivered. She hadn't called him that in a very long time. "You stayed for me?"

"I didn't want to leave you like this." Marcus explained, heat flooding to his cheeks. This close to her, he couldn't help but think about what she'd told him. Was it really true? His Mother wanted him in bed? His anxious gaze flickered over her body, her long, perfect legs, the skin as smooth and white as snow, and her large boobs, quivering under the tattered robe whenever she took in a hoarse, gasping breath. She was so beautiful and now everything was all muddled up he just couldn't stop seeing that.

"Oh...I thought I'd lost you forever." She sniffled, shuffling round so that she faced him through the bars. "I thought she'd taken you away from me." Her hand darted through and seized his own tightly. A sharp little gasp of shock escaped his lips as he felt her soft skin against his own. Her grabbing his hand like this wouldn't have meant much of anything just a couple days ago, but now he felt his blush get even hotter. "I never should have doubted you." She continued hoarsely, her sweet voice trembling as her hand held his so very tight. "You're always such a good boy, no matter what happens, always my good, perfect boy. You'd never leave me behind, would you?"

"Mother, wait..." Marcus gasped. It was hard to even ask this now, but he had to! "I need to know...is it true?" She froze stiff, her fingers shivering against his own. Then she straightened up on her knees, and suddenly she was taller than he was again, staring down at him like she always did. Tears still trickled down her smooth, perfect cheeks, but her pretty blue eyes sharpened, meeting his own through the bars.

"That doesn't really matter, does it Marcus?" She replied sharply, the same way she spoke whenever she was telling him what to do. Marcus instantly sat up straighter, his body snapping into listening to her without him even having to think about it. Her hand was still holding his really tightly though, like she never wanted to let him go. "What matters is getting you away from Genevieve, as quickly as I can. She's far more dangerous than I ever gave her credit for, but she miscalculated by bringing you here for that sordid display and then leaving you alone with me." Marcus tried to listen like a good boy, but his head was spinning and suddenly he was even closer to bursting into tears. How could she be talking over him like always, like nothing had changed? She'd just admitted she desired him! Did that change nothing? "How like her to forget who this castle really belongs to." The Queen continued, not seeming yet to notice her son's growing distress. "I still have friends here and there's a way to..."

"It matters to me!" The young prince sniffled, interrupting her for the first time ever in his life.

"What?" The Queen's eyes widened in shock.

"I have to know, Mother." Marcus stammered hurriedly, knowing he had to get this out before she got angry again. He'd never be able to say anything if she started glaring at him. He'd be too guilty and tearful and clam up. "Is it true...? Do you really feel that way about me?"

"Marcus, I'm not Genevieve." The Queen shook her head, but the uncertainty on her face was far more telling. "I'd never actually..."

"Please Mother!" Marcus gasped, forcing out the words around a hoarse sob. Why couldn't she be honest with him now? Was Jenny right? Was she really just a liar? "Just tell me! Is it true?" His Mother paused a moment, her mouth hanging open and her full lips trembling.

"Yes, it is true." She said at last, something hot and breathy slipping into her voice that made his skin tingle. "I've felt things for you, things no Mother should feel, but I do. How could I not? You're just so very perfect...so pretty and so innocent. My good, obedient boy who does everything I ask. How could I not want you for my own?" Her cheeks flushed pink as she spoke, her ample chest trembling with panting breaths. Marcus shivered as he felt her hot gaze moving down his body like she was undressing him with her eyes. Then she swallowed hard, her neck tensing. "I never meant for you to find out. I would have kept it hidden, no matter what it took." She continued quickly. "You're my son, Marcus, that's what's most important. Everything I've done is to protect you. That's all that matters to me." Marcus sat stiff, his hand still trapped in her own. His trembling gaze fell to the floor of the cell. It was true, of course it was. His Mother desired him, just like Jenny had said from the start. Why hadn't he believed her? Of course it had sounded impossible then, but now the Queen had told him so. His head was spinning as he struggled to even grasp what this meant. How long had she felt this way about him? "Marcus, look at me." His Mother murmured, an urgency to her voice that pierced through his confusion. His gaze flickered up, staring back into her gorgeous dark-blue eyes. "I know how confusing it must be for you to hear these things. As soon as you're safe, I'll explain properly and everything will make sense. You won't have to be confused or sad anymore, because I'll make it all better. But you've got to listen to me now, okay? Listen to your Mother. There's something very important I need to tell you before Genevieve returns."