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“Do not threaten Queen Etessa,” the duchess called out in a clear, ringing tone. “She who has sacrificed much for a people long ignored by a selfish king. I will never wed Ryenil the Traitor, who murdered my brother, Duke of Aony, and plotted to overthrow the rule of our closest allies. You would do better to turn your loyalty to Her Majesty, as I have.”

A low hum filled the air from behind the wall, but it was no mere magic. It was something far more powerful—voices. First, the exclamations of the guards along the wall, followed promptly by those massed on the other side of the gate. It could have been soldiers preparing to attack, or it could have been citizens in the houses nearest the wall. Either could be trouble for the king, for the soldiers probably hadn’t been paid, and those who lived next to this part of the wall were often the poorest and most abused.

In short, the ones with the most rage simmering in their hearts.

“That’s treason!” the herald cried.

Selesta didn’t budge. “What do you think he’ll do to you if you deliver my message? Do you believe a proper king would deliver death for a job faithfully done?”

“I—” The herald’s words cut off, his face going as pale as the white stripes on his flag. “My lady, please…”

Without warning, Tes nudged her horse between Selesta’s and Ber’s. His heart squeezed its way into his throat, but he didn’t stop her. She couldn’t let the duchess speak for her. No, she had to claim authority for herself. But that didn’t mean he would do nothing. Instead, he pulled upon his brother’s power and cast another shield for repelling arrows around his wife.

Tes’s voice cut across the hum more clearly than the herald’s. “Open the gates and let us through. I would rather not hurt a single citizen of Centoi, but if I must, I will fight my way to my father. Everyone here knows that Ryenil must be stopped.”

“You’ve sided with Llyalia,” someone shouted from the walls.

“Yes, I have,” Tes replied easily. “My father attempted to usurp their throne, even going so far as trying to murder their baby princess. He also planned to murder both me and my husband so he could steal our child. Your prince, who has been denied his proper place in Centoi for his own safety. But if you find Ryenil’s actions just, then perhaps youshouldleave the gates closed. We’ll camp outside until we’re aided by King Toren’s armies. He comes to seek rightful revenge for the attempt on his daughter’s life.”

The hum of countless whispers swelled into a roar, pouring over the walls in a wave of sound. It was clear that Toren’s declaration of war hadn’t been read here, not publicly, for the surge of alarm and repugnance was palpable in the echoed whispers. Gods knew what Ryenil had told them about theinvasion—no doubt something terrible. But would they believe the truth?

“Make way for the Jewel of Centoi!”

“Down with King Ryenil!”

“Oh, he’ll kill us all.”

“Stand down. That’s an order!”

The clank of chains groaned through the air, and the massive portal began to open. Reinforcing the shield around Tes, Ber drew his sword. “There’s every chance this is a trap.”

His wife held her own sword at the ready. “Only one way to find out.”

The gate thudded fully open, and between one heartbeat and the next, they plunged into the treacherous unknown.

A cacophonyof sound tumbled around Tes as they passed through the gates and onto the broad main street leading toward the palace. Cries and shouts clashed with the pounding of hilts against swords. All along the road, the citizens pushed against a corridor of soldiers who’d parted for the impromptu royal parade.

No doubt they’d been standing there to attack her only moments ago; in fact, that still might be their plan. Even as Tes waved at the forming crowd, she kept her sword drawn and her attention on the line of warriors that could close around them at any moment. It wouldn’t be difficult. The honor guard had been forced to split, half in front and half behind, with only a couple on each side of Tes, Ber, and Selesta.

Gods, she hoped it wasn’t like this all the way to the palace gates.

They’d barely made it into the lower merchant’s district when a new line of soldiers advanced, pikes at the ready. The corridor of soldiers had just closed behind them, and the more subdued crowds from the market had barely started inching forward. Not that they continued beneath the threat of the approaching guard.

“Yield, and the king may show mercy,” the captain called.

Tes shook her head. “Ryenil never shows mercy.”

“So be it.” The man lifted his fist. “Advance. Spare only Lady Selesta.”

The crowd’s startled exclamations were drowned out by the sound of pounding boots and clattering armor. Fear coated Tes’s mouth and trembled in her already tired limbs, but a surge of excitement buoyed her beyond it. For herself and for her family, she would not be cowed.

Not anymore.

“Protect the queen!” someone shouted behind her, and the warriors who’d allowed them through did their best to rush forward in the narrow confines.

Tes exchanged a wry glance with Ber as some of the soldiers streamed around the horses in a futile attempt at guarding them. Unless they could get more of them through, it would never work. They wouldn’t have the numbers to disarm the pikemen, and the lot of them would block any chance of retreat, unlikely as that had already been.

Time seemed to stop as the front line of the honor guard crunched against the advancing troops. Screams and shrieks surrounded her—from the horses, the injured, the nearby citizens scrambling to escape—and a tinny smell drifted on the air, making her stomach lurch. She did her best to push that aside as some of the warriors dropped their pikes, drew their swords, and rushed her way.