TAELYN

Instead of calling a meeting and announcing Prince Ruarok’s return to all the members of court in one go, I decide to start small.

Everyone is already reeling from the news about the collapse of the tower.

Perhaps, in the wake of the rulers’ deaths, the return of the king’s son won’t be such a big deal.

Despite my self-assurances, my stomach fizzes with nerves. I stop by my rooms to change. I’d instructed Skylar to bring a change of clothes to the king’s offices, but I was led astray by the key before she had the chance to find me. She’s probably wondering where I got to.

I believe Cirrus most likely already knows.

He saw me with the key. After speaking with Ruarok, it wouldn’t surprise me if Cirrus played his part in ensuring Ruarok remained locked inside that cage.

I can’t believe he’s known all this time.

Because I don’t have my stepfather to be angry with, I find myself directing my fury and disbelief in his direction .

I find him in the library. He stands at the bookcases, his back to me.

“Cirrus, I need to talk to you.”

He turns to face me.

I realize I still have the key, and I hold it out for him to see. “I believe you know exactly what this key opens.”

“What have you done, Princess?” Cirrus’s face is pale, his eyes wide.

“Righting a grievous wrong.”

He shakes his head. “You’ve made a terrible mistake.”

Anger and disbelief spills from me. “How could you just live your life, knowing the prince was rotting beneath ground? You watched Ruarok grow up, did you not? To grow from a boy into a man, and yet you allowed him to be served the cruelest of punishments.”

It occurs to me that Cirrus and I aren’t the only ones to know this. Ruarok also knows. Is that why Cirrus looks so panicky now? It’s not because he believes Ruarok is any danger to me or the kingdom, but actually fears that Ruarok might get his revenge?

Cirrus’s lips pinch. “He deserved what he got. I can’t believe you’ve released him.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I will ensure Ruarok doesn’t harm you.”

He barks laughter. “You really believe the prince will listen to a single word you say?”

I straighten my shoulders. “Your words offend me, Cirrus. I am the future queen. You do not speak to me that way.”

“Apologies, Princess. I’m just fearful of what Ruarok will do next. He is not a good person. He will come after the throne. ”

“No. He understands that I am the person in line to take the throne. He has spent the past ten years inside a cage. He knows nothing of the kingdom as it is. He is too weak to rule.”

“He is the only blood relative to the king.”

“The dead king. Blood means little when the person is no longer alive. I am the next in line for the throne. I am the one who has been here at the castle for the last ten years, learning how everything runs. I am the one who has refused all offers of marriage because it is my destiny to be Queen of Askos, and ruler of Highdrift.”

“Ruarok would argue that he has been here, also.”

“I’ll deal with Ruarok when I need to. I have more important things to worry about right now.”

He lets out a sigh. “I know you believe that, Princess, but Ruarok is as much a threat to you and all of Askos as the rot is. You were young when we had to…deal with Ruarok. You don’t know what he’s like.

The things I’ve seen him do—” He cuts himself off and shakes his head.

“I can’t even speak of them in front of someone such as yourself. ”

“What? A woman?”

“A princess. A future queen. Truly, he is a monster.”

“Or is that just what his father wanted you to believe? I’ll admit, he is not like us, but just because someone is different doesn’t mean they should be locked away for the whole of eternity.”

“He was plotting to have you and your mother killed.”

“Where is the proof of these allegations?”

Cirrus’s gaze shifted away. “Your father had someone with special talents. They were able to read Ruarok’s mind. ”

I’m unable to hide my disbelief. “He had someone read his mind? That’s convenient. Who was this person?”

“I don’t know. No one would want to be outed as someone who has that kind of magic. No one would ever want to be around them again.”

“Or someone with that magic simply doesn’t exist, and it was just the king’s way of ridding himself of his problem son now that he had a new family?”

“You can’t accuse the king of lying, Princess!”

“I can’t accuse him of anything. He’s dead. So, we take the word of a dead king, who we already know had issues with his half Incubus son, and imprison a man for the rest of eternity, or we give him a chance.”

He shakes his head. “I want you to know that I don’t agree with this choice on any level.”

“That’s fine, Cirrus. I don’t need you to agree with my choices.

I just need you to support them. Right now, we have more important things to worry about than my stepbrother.

We’ve lost both our king and queen, and parts of the city have been devastated by the rot.

Many of our people are without a home right now, and we have to do something to help. ”

He ducks low as a mark of respect. “Yes, Princess.”

“I want you to call the heads of each position of Highdrift together in the Great Hall, so we can not only break the news of Ruarok’s return but also come up with a plan about how we’re going to handle the rot and the destruction it has caused.”

“Very well.”

I leave the library and head down to the kitchens. It’s morning now, and, despite having sent a tray of food up to Ruarok, I haven’t eaten anything myself .

I’ve been coming to these kitchens for years, nipping down to steal chunks of freshly baked bread and cakes when I’ve been peckish, but now there is a different atmosphere.

Kitchen staff, who would normally have jested with me for taking the food, greet me with bended knee and lowered eyes.

Their respect comes not only for the loss of the king and queen, but also because I am now to be queen.

I find myself saddened by the thought. Everything has changed now.

An innocence has been lost.

The kitchen staff put together a meal for me, similar to the one I imagine Ruarok would have eaten, and I find a quiet place to sit and eat.

Though I’m sure the food is excellent, I struggle to taste any of it.

My thoughts are so crowded with all that has happened that I barely notice my surroundings or the passing of time.

They flit from my grief for my mother, to the responsibility of becoming the new ruler of Askos, to the release of Ruarok, to how long it’ll be before the rot takes everything.

I finally realize I’ve been here long enough, and Cirrus will have gathered everyone in the Great Hall by now. I’m aware that I’m hiding down here, but I can’t stay hidden forever.

I take my empty tray to the kitchen and make my way to the Great Hall.

Even before I enter, I can tell people are already there.

The hum of chatter filters through to my ears.

My stomach spins and swirls, and my heart beats too hard and fast. I clench my fists to my sides, and force myself to walk in, chin up and shoulders back. My wings vibrate in the air behind me.

As soon as I’m spotted, the chatter dies away, and those I’ve asked to be there part, clearing my route through to the thrones at the head of the hall.

Deliberately, I take the king’s throne—mine, now—and sit.

I take in all of those who’ve come here—Cirrus, Balthorne, Skylar, as well as the head of the treasury, the chaplain, the steward, the marshal, and so many others. All eyes are on me.

“Thank you for coming. I’m sure I don’t need to repeat the tragedy that has befallen us, and I believe Cirrus Planetree has already informed you all of Prince Ruarok’s return after his father’s death.”

In the small crowd, Cirrus gives a nod to indicate he has, but I watch as others shoot those next to them uncomfortable looks.

Are they wondering why Ruarok isn’t here?

Perhaps I should have told him of the meeting?

I instantly dismiss the thought. I couldn’t have Ruarok distracting me, or anyone else, from the reason I’ve called them all together.

“I wish to go into the city,” I announce, “to give to those who need our help.”

Their faces all match—horror and disbelief.

Balthorne is the one who has the guts to speak. “Princess Taelyn, I strongly advise you against going into the city. People are desperate, and there’s no telling what they might do.”

“That they’re desperate gives me even more reason to go and walk among them.

They need to know they’re not alone in this, and the castle won’t just abandon them.

Please remember, Balthorne, that I’ve been here before.

I’ve seen the devastation and destruction the rot brings firsthand.

I won’t allow these people to believe their lives are over because of it. ”

“What do you plan to do?” Cirrus asks.

“A gold sovereign for every household that has lost everything. Half a sovereign for those that have been damaged.” I look to the head of the treasury, a man called Walter Odel. “We have enough money in the coffers?”

“Yes, Princess, we do,” he replies.

“Good. I wish to leave on the hour. Please ensure the rest of the guard is ready.”

Cirrus ducks his head in a nod. “Understood.”

I am grateful he doesn’t argue with me. He needs to understand I’m not only the princess anymore. I’m the ruler of this kingdom and need to be treated with the same respect and authority he would have shown my mother or the king.

Despite my words and brave facade, the thought of walking through the city, among such devastation, causes my stomach to roil and my palms to prickle with sweat.

How will the people be? Will they be angry?

Probably. They will be grieving for their king.

How are they going to accept me, a young woman, as their new ruler?

I refuse to let my fears hold me back. I can’t call myself a queen and then hide away in the castle. That would make me no kind of queen at all.

I leave the throne, and my people part ways for me once more. Only one person follows me—the head of my guard, Balthorne.

“Princess Taelyn,” Balthorne says, catching up to me, “I hope I’m not speaking out of turn, but I’m concerned that Prince Ruarok has returned to the castle, so soon after his father’s death. ”

I keep walking. Time is short, and he hurries along beside me.

“That’s because it was his father’s magic that’s been holding him prisoner all this time. He’s not returned, because he never left. He was here all along.”

“But I hear he was imprisoned because he wanted you dead. If there is genuine threat to your life, as head of your guard, I need to know about it.”

“He denies he had ever planned to have us killed. He claims his father just used it as a way to get rid of him. There was never any proof, and there is no proof now.”

“So, you believe him?” Balthorne’s handsome face appears troubled.

I stop short and turn to face him. “Until he gives me a reason not to, yes, I have to take him at his word. He is my stepbrother, the king’s son, the prince of Askos and Highdrift. I can’t pretend he does not exist.”

“You could have left him in the cage.”

I allow a small smile to tweak my lips. “How many years have you known me, Balthorne? More than I can count. Do you really believe I’m someone who could leave a man trapped in torment for the whole of eternity, no matter what he’s done? That is a punishment too cruel for words.”

“You have a kind heart, Princess.”

I start to walk again. “Too kind, I’m sure some are saying.” I sigh. “Maybe that is my biggest weakness.”

He shakes his head. “Don’t change who you are for anyone or anything. Stay true to yourself.”

“Thank you, Balthorne.”

He hesitates, as though he wants to say something else, but then lets it go.