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“It worked,” she answered. “Whatever you did, however you conjured up the ability to move water and command rain… It worked, Petra.”

My stomach turned a bit at the thought, but I swallowed it back as tears flooded my eyes, my mind overwhelmed at what this meant.

The silent crowd waited patiently, some of their faces tear streaked and smiling, others stone faced. I caught my mother’s eyes in the front of the crowd, her face beaming with quiet pride. Something inside me pushed me forward, a force I was becoming well acquainted with. I didn’t have to take Nell’s advice and act like I knew what I was doing anymore. I finally knew.

“People of Taitha and beyond,” I began, my voice booming, echoing off the buildings that lined the streets. I was only addressing a fraction of those who awaited me, but I knew word would travel quickly. “I am Petra, Daughter of Katia, Keeper of the Benevolent Saints.” I took a deep breath, the truth clawing at my throat, begging for escape. “And… I am the Daughter of Rhedros, Keeper of the Blood Saints.”

Shocked gasps rang through the crowd as I let my words settle. My mother’s eyes widened as she stared at me.

“The Keepers, my parents, have been imprisoned by Noros, Saint of Pain.”

Whispers began to rise and so did the feeling of panic rippling from the crowd. I took a deep breath, pushing away the feeling of dread that had found me. I was a queen. There was no room for doubt in me.

“Noros, Saint of Pain walks the realm in a human body. Hear this now, and hear this clearly: Lord Evarius Castemont of Eserene is Noros, Saint of Pain.” Cries rang out. I could taste the bitterness of fear hanging in the air above the crowd. “He must die, and it is my responsibility to kill him in order to free Katia and Rhedros. This is crucial, as they are responsible for keeping the balance of good and evil in the world.”

Silence fell again as the echoes of my words faded. “In order to do this, I need an army, and I do not ask this lightly. I need an army that is strong and loyal and fierce. One that will stand for me, fight for me, and die for me if called to do so. If not for me, then for the good of the realm.” I swallowed hard at the words, knowing that it was impossible to grasp the magnitude of what I asked of them.

Utter silence blanketed the street, thousands of eyes glued to every inch of my skin. “Each of you has been held against your will, captives to leechthorn and soldiers of Kauvras. I will not force you to fight for me. Your days as a captive are over. Each of you is now free to go should you so choose.”

I didn’t let my stare rest on any one person, terrified that if I stared too long, I’d see every person before me turn away. I took a shaky breath. “But should you choose to stay, I will do everything in my Saints given power to keep you safe. I will do whatever I can to make sure that you return to your families, whole and unharmed. Should you choose to join me, the Daughter of Benevolence and Blood, know that there will never be a cause more noble, a cause more true, or a cause more crucial to the fate of the world. Norosmustdie.”

The last echoes of my words died down, the fragile silence returning. Small movements stirred the crowd as a few people filed out, their free will leading them to a life without leechthorn and warfare and pain. I smiled internally at the thought, at the fact that even though they were turning down my plea for help, they had the right to freedom, a right I’d unknowingly never truly had.

The sound of hooves on cobblestone sounded then, and I whirled to see three masked men on horseback emerge from an alleyway, settling to face me in front of the crowd. The man that led the group carried a flag emblazoned with the crest of Cabillia — a gold dragon on jet black fabric. Flames rose in my chest at the sight as one man prodded his horse forward.

“Daughter of Katia,” he stated, his voice low and authoritative. “King Kauvras of Cabillia has requested a meeting with you.”

Nell stepped forward, hand on the hilt of her sword. “Fat fuckin’ chance.”

“Your court is welcome to accompany you, and you have his vow that no member of your party will be harmed.”

My court?My court.The people that stood around me now. I clenched and unclenched my fists as I stepped in front of Nell, shooting her a look to say I had it under control. But did I? Yeah, I did. At least I was going to act like I did. But how could I believe Kauvras’ promise to cause us no harm after I just freed his entire army, right under his nose?

I took a deep breath, steadying my feet. “I accept. We’ll arrive at nightfall.”

Surprise rippled from my companions — mycourt, but I did my best to ignore them.

“Very well,” Kauvras’ soldier answered with a nod, and the three men turned on their horses and disappeared in the alleyway again.

I turned back to the crowd that awaited me. “Go, be with your families. Shelter will be provided for you should you not be from Taitha, or should you find your home destroyed.” Guilt bubbled up inside me. “And prepare for war.”

Chapter 38

It had been a whirlwind of people falling to their knees in tears, chantingDaughter of Katia. Introductions were made — more commanders and generals and lieutenants, farmers and merchants and more. A group of seamstresses told me they’d sew a dress for me to wear to the meeting with Kauvras, a dress that was fit for the Daughter of the Saints.

I stood in the street with tears in my eyes as I watched Commander Summercut’s arms wrap around his wife and daughter. He’d found them. His eye caught mine, and a smile the size of the moon lit his face as he walked toward me with his family.

“Your Majesty, this is Averyn, my wife, and Miri,” his voice wavered with tears, “my daughter. Averyn, Miri, this is Petra, Daughter of Katia, the reason I get to see you again.”

The two women were teary eyes as they dropped their heads and held closed fists across their chests. “Daughter of Katia.”

I couldn’t contain my smile. “It’s an honor to meet you.”

My eyes caught on something in Miri’s hand.My diadem. I gasped as she held it out.

“I kept it with me, your Majesty. After the Outpost,” Summercut explained, his voice soft. “Forgive me for passing it off to Miri. She was fascinated by it.”

She placed the diadem in my hands. “I’m fascinated by it, too,” I replied with a laugh.