He can't betray his sister

The young prince's fingers closed around the key, lifting it out from the wall. His jaw was tense, the agony of indecision clawing at his wavering heart. It would be so easy just to give it to their Mother and then everything would be out of his hands. But Jenny...her face swam in his mind, sharp and pretty, her blue eyes glowing with that fierce love for him that was still so astonishing. He remembered how she'd held him tight against her naked body when they were in bed together, like she was afraid he was going to slip away from her at any moment. She was so strong, in so many ways he admired, but now he knew just how fragile she was too. That was why she could be difficult and even scary sometimes, because she was so very afraid of losing him again.

"Marcus!" The Queen's voice from the other cell. "What's taking so long? Just bring the key to me, you silly boy." The young prince turned, his body already meaning to respond to his Mother's orders the way he always had. But this time, he paused mid-step. He'd always done what she wanted, his entire life, always trusting she knew what was best. Now it turned out she'd lied to him, hidden her real feelings. Jenny had been the one telling the truth all along. He wondered about the other things his sister said, about the Queen keeping him inside the castle his entire life to make sure no other girl got to him. And Jenny's banishment...would their Father really have been so cruel if not for their Mother persuading him to do it? The thought made his stomach turn. If that was true...how could he put Jenny back in her hands again? How could he betray his older sister that way? "Marcus!" The Queen snapped again, getting shrill and **** now. "Get over here! Right now! Is the key missing? Did Genevieve find it?"

The young prince stumbled forward, the key clenched so tight in his hand the metal was digging into his skin. His Mother gasped in relief as he stepped back out in front of her cell, her pretty blue eyes fixed on his. She reached through the bars with a hand, already expecting him to just do as she wanted and give the key over to her.

"I'm sorry, Mother." Marcus whimpered, then he turned and ran before she could say anything else. He knew if she even spoke to him again, she could guilt him into anything.

"Marcus!" Her shrill scream echoed down the corridor behind him, but he didn't listen, trying desperately to block out the pain and desperation trembling in that sound. Tears dribbled down his cheeks as he darted through the dungeon, his chest so sore and tight it was hard to breathe. He'd made his choice, but his heart still felt like it was being torn in two. Jenny...he needed Jenny. When he found the doorway back out into the Castle, his hands were shaking so much he could hardly even reach the handle. Gripping it with nerveless fingers, he tried to pull it open, but nothing happened. Locked...of course it was. His sister must have done that when she left, to make sure no-one else came through and took him away.

Sobbing hoarsely, the young prince slumped to one side, his back against a cold stone wall and his legs shaking so much it was hard to even stay standing. Awful thoughts pounded through his head like glass shards digging into his skull, vicious and accusing, asking him over and over how he could do this to his Mother, the woman who'd given him everything! How could be be such a bad son? All she'd done was love him! And he'd left her to rot in a dungeon cell! He wasn't even sure how long he stood there, trembling like a leaf, his poor body wracked by guilt and misery.

"Marcus?" Jenny's voice echoed suddenly down the corridor. For a moment, Marcus just couldn't believe what he'd heard. There was no way she'd be back so soon, just when he needed her the most. But then he raised his head, and through a mist of tears he saw his older sister standing there in the open doorway, tall and beautiful, her brown hair flowing around her face and concern for him trembling in her eyes. "Oh...little brother. I had a feeling something was wrong, so I came back early. What happened?" Marcus could only sob hoarsely in reply. In an instant, she'd crossed the distance between them and the young prince let out a gasping little sigh as she took him in her strong arms and pulled him close. He buried his tear-stained face into her shoulder, burrowing into her tight embrace. His body felt so cold and sore, but she was warm. "Oh...my love." She murmured in his ear. "It's okay. I'm here now. No-one's going to hurt you anymore." Her hand rubbed his back tenderly, as he cried and cried until the front of her shirt was stained with his tears. At long last, his hoarse sobs eased, and the horrible tight pain in his chest faded to a dull, empty ache. He raised his head, staring up at his older sister's pretty face. "What happened, little brother?" Jenny asked again, her blue eyes worried and anxious. "Tell me what's wrong. What did she do?"

Not trusting his voice to even work right now, Marcus lifted a trembling hand instead. Clutched tight in his grip, he held out the key to his older sister. Her gaze flickered to it, a moment of shock flickering across her face. Then she seemed to understand, letting out a harsh breath as her muscles tensed against him. Her eyes narrowed coldly, and the anger burning there made the young prince tremble.

"Please..." Marcus whimpered, forcing up the words through a throat that seemed way too tight. "Don't hurt Mother. She just...wanted me to free her, that's all." Jenny paused a moment, her gaze flickering from the key to his face. Her brow furrowed with thought, as Marcus shivered in her tight embrace. What was she going to do now?