I peered around at the group that stood with me throughout the darkest period any of us would ever face. Now, we stood on the cusp of a bright new future.
“Actually, there is one thing.”
81
Ro
Ishoved open the ornate double doors of Windguard Castle, entering the king’s grand hall where I’d unfortunately stood a couple times before. The guards shuffled on their feet when a massive tiger strode in behind me. Any that took even a fraction of a step forward lost their swords, the weapons ripped from their hands and floating high above them. Tio just smirked as the men stood there defenseless and confused.
“What the fuck is this?!” Amir Taja rose from his throne, shoving a half-naked woman off his lap. She landed on the stone floor with a thud and a whimper.
“I’ve come to deliver your reckoning.” My voice echoed off the walls in this chamber of indulgence.
He played with his fingers at his sides, contemplating his position. His guards were unequipped as a lethal feline prowled at my command.
“And to tell you that I was wrong,” I said.
Surprise flashed across his face. “Oh?” he asked cautiously, unsure how to read his situation. After all, none of his postedsoldiers from the gates all the way through the castle had stopped me.
“The last time I was here, I told you your arrogance would be the downfall of your kingdom.”
With an appeased smile that bordered on friendly, a desperate attempt to soothe whatever troubles awaited him, he said, “And yet here it stands. I’m assuming I have you to thank, Ro Collins.”
“Yes, it stands, and shall remain. Luckily, your arrogance wasn’t the kingdom’s downfall…but it is yours.”
As if we’d had rehearsals, a battalion of Highcrest and Duski soldiers marched in, weapons in hand, magic at the ready.
The king stumbled back, falling into his luxuriously upholstered seat. His staff and council fled through the back doors. Taja’s shock cost him precious seconds. Our soldiers blocked his exit, leaving him no way out.
“Do my words sound like a song yet?” I asked, a pleasing smile stretching across my lips.
We stood outside the brass and copper plated castle, on the platform where Taja loved to make pronouncements—and host executions. I never expected to be here, let alone wearing a formal floor-length yellow sari. Excess fabric draped over one shoulder, flowing loosely at my back. I wore a collection of shiny gold bangles over my wrist, and a simple, delicate jewel in the shape of an elongated diamond stuck to the center of my forehead. Dae wore a matching one, the silver accent matching the thick band of embroidery that outlined the v-cut in his navy long sleeved kurta. In another life, I would have worn outfits like this to celebrate all sorts of occasions. It was fitting how that part of my heritage returned to me on this day. Very symbolic.
The king wore his green velvet cape and ostentatious crown donned over perfect black hair. The gag around his mouth was a nice touch, and his hands were bound behind his back as his neck lowered onto the block.
“This does not mean war between our kingdoms,” King Nicholas shouted to the gathered crowd of Windguardian citizens. An announcement had been sent in the weeks leading to this day, and all who came understood what they were about to witness. Yet, none objected.
“For too long, Taja has committed genocide against a portion of his people, exterminating those with magic though they committed no crimes. He poisoned your miraja crops with iron. Sold out his people to a fanatical, murderous organization. I stood idly by for too long, and I bear the grief of all the deaths I didn’t help prevent. With this day, oppression ends, and liberation begins.”
Queen Nora stood beside her king, dressed in the finest fighting leathers I’d ever seen, filled to the teeth with weapons, yet still wore her sparkling crown. She was the one who gave a nod to the awaiting executioner.
The blade swung without hesitation. I buried my face in Dae’s chest. He secured his hand to the back of my neck, tucking me close. Taja’s muffled scream lasted only a second before a thunk on the ground.
A few shouts of agreement rang from the crowd in the aftermath of the king’s demise. That man had been responsible for thousands of murders against innocents. Others, like me and my family, had the luxury of fleeing, but it still cost us our home. The lives we could have had here. The loves we were meant to meet. I rested my palm over Dae’s chest, just needing to feel his heartbeat.
Tomorrow, a new king would be declared, the start of a new era for all of Windguard. I looked up at Dae to find him already staring at me.
“Are you alright?” he asked, brushing a strand of hair away from my eyes.
“Of course I am. I have you.”
He smiled, and it was the view of a sunrise over the mountains. The sunset over the ocean. The way I wanted to start and end the rest of my days.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Almost.”
I walked through the empty halls of Windguard Castle, hugging myself against the lingering inhospitable chill radiating off all the polished, hardened stone. I thought about the what ifs, the should have’s of it all. What if my father hadn’t gotten us out of Windguard? This should have been the castle of my homeland, but it wasn’t. Truthfully, the stains left behind ran too deep to be scrubbed away.
