Assistant to the Villain, #3
Accomplice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 81
Overview
Evie’s group confronts King Gavin and Queen Brina, trying to prove the frog is Prince Alexander. Kingsley shows no sign of awareness, and the attempt collapses. The king orders Belinda petrified. Fluffy arrives with reinforcements to extract the team, but Arthur is fatally wounded saving Evie and reveals he isn’t Trystan’s biological father.
Summary
In the southern throne room, Evie and Trystan face King Gavin, Queen Brina, and armed Lily Pad Knights. Amid tension and Amara’s betrayal becoming plain, the queen demands answers regarding her son’s murder, while Belinda the enchantress is dragged in, frail and despondent. Clare admits enlisting Belinda to spare Trystan from Amara, but the court remains hostile.
Evie reveals the frog as Prince Alexander Kingsley and begs Belinda to undo the spell. Queen Brina offers freedom for Belinda if they can prove the claim. Evie sets Kingsley before his parents, but Kingsley shows no recognition; his eyes are empty. King Gavin, enraged, rejects the plea and orders Belinda executed. Guards immediately petrify Belinda, leaving Winnie devastated.
As the queen orders the intruders to the dungeons, Fluffy crashes through the skylight with Blade, Lyssa, and Becky. In the chaos, the group regroups to flee. A Lily Pad Knight hurls a blade at Evie, and Arthur jumps in front of it, taking a poisoned sword through his abdomen. They lift off on Fluffy under a volley of arrows while Tatianna desperately tries to heal Arthur.
Aboard Fluffy, Arthur apologizes to Trystan for his failings and confesses a long-kept truth: he is not Trystan’s biological sire, though he considers himself Trystan’s father. He urges Trystan to choose love and live without regrets. Despite Tatianna’s efforts, the poison and damage are too great. Arthur dies, leaving Clare inconsolable and the group reeling.
Who Appears
- Evie SageProtagonist; pleads to prove Kingsley’s identity, survives attack Arthur intercepts, escapes on Fluffy.
- Trystan MaverineSupports Evie, pleads to restore Alexander, mourns Arthur, learns Arthur isn’t his biological sire.
- Arthur MaverineShields Evie from a thrown blade, suffers poisoned wound, confesses paternity truth, dies.
- Queen BrinaCommands order in court, offers conditional proof deal, witnesses Belinda’s petrification.
- King GavinRejects the frog proof, orders Belinda executed by petrification, demands arrests.
- Belinda (the Enchantress)Frail and captive; cannot reverse the curse; is petrified on the king’s orders.
- Clare MaverineAdmits role in enlisting Belinda, grieves Arthur, lashes out at Amara.
- Amara MaverineReveals betrayal to the crown, accepts royal favor, reacts with shock at Arthur’s wounding.
- Winnifred (Winnie) BelgraveGives Belinda the wand, tries to help, screams as her mother is petrified.
- TatiannaHealer who attempts to save Arthur but confirms poisoned blade and his imminent death.
- Lyssa SageArrives on Fluffy with Blade and Becky; reunites with Evie; cites Villainy rules.
- BladeArrives with Fluffy for a dramatic rescue; helps the group escape.
- BeckyArrives on Fluffy; witnesses the destruction and escape.
- FluffyDragon who crashes through skylight and carries the group to safety.
- Prince Alexander KingsleyStill a frog; fails to show awareness, undermining Evie’s proof.
- Lily Pad KnightsRoyal enforcers; threaten the group, throw the fatal blade, and execute the king’s orders.