She thought she'd lost him in the crowd entirely, until the booming voice of Edric Ashkirk echoed through the air around them, somehow carrying over all the noise of the battle.
"Fine, traitor! I'll kill ye meself!" Edric howled.
Neala spun toward the sound and dashed forward through a small gap in the barrier. The world paused as she took in the sight before her. Edric rushed toward Ansel, the executioner's sword gleaming in his hands, while Ansel calmly faced him and did not move.
With a final roar, Edric pounced. Ansel moved so fast that Neala barely saw it, dodging to the side and slicing out with one expert movement.
Edric screamed, and that scream turned into a gurgle as he collapsed to the ground. Those closest to them stopped fighting, gasps and shouts of surprise and confusion replacing the sounds of battle. The ripple carried back through the chaos, and all around them, the fighting stopped, and all eyes turned to the center as everyone seemed to hold their breath.
Ansel knelt down by his father's side, pushing him so that he rolled onto his back. The king's face was pale, and his eyes wereroving wildly. His chest rose and fell, but each breath was more shallow, and it was clear to everyone that the end was imminent. Neala's head spun as she tried to comprehend the impossible thing she was seeing.
"Dinnae try tae speak," Ansel told his father when the king's mouth worked soundlessly. "It'll just cause ye pain. I didnae want it tae end this way, but perhaps it was always meant tae."
He looked up and caught Neala's eye. He did not smile, but she saw the relief in his eyes to see her standing there, and she felt it echoing in her own heart.
Ansel looked back down to his father. "I should have acted years ago. I should have been as brave as Baldric, or as Neala, or as any of those Sparrows or rebels who've stood against ye all these years. Ye've been a monster for as long as I remember. These are yer last moments, and I want ye tae spend them kennin' this one thing. I am yer only legitimate son. I am yer only heir. And I willensurethat, when Cailean McNair arrives here, it is only tae accept the throne that we stole from him."
The struggling king groaned.
"Rest now, Father," Ansel told him. "Perhaps in the next life, ye can seek forgiveness. But in this one, it's over. Just as I promised. Yer name will be forgotten and Scotland will thrive."
Edric Ashkirk died there, surrounded by silence, his eyes staring blankly at the sky.
Ansel stood. Unable to prevent herself, Neala rushed to his side, throwing herself into his waiting arms. Holding him tight, her heart at last settled into the beat that it was made for, matching his, and even when he released her from the embrace, it was only to take her hand and keep her by his side. She knew then that she would never leave him again.
"He's dead," he announced, his voice carrying over the silent crowd. "The tyrannical reign of Edric Ashkirk is over. I ken someof ye, perhaps many of ye, were still loyal tae him, but he is gone. Before ye take yer vengeance, listen well."
Several of the soldiers who had defended Neala moved to the front of the crowd, subtly but securely creating protection around Ansel. They were ready to protect him if they needed to. Neala remembered watching him train these men what seemed like a lifetime ago, and she saw that loyalty and kindness reflected back at her from them now. She still could scarcely believe what was happening, but despite the bloodshed and chaos that had been raging only moments ago, she had never felt so safe.
"I am Ansel Ashkirk, the only son born of Edric Ashkirk's only marriage, and his one true heir," he announced. "By the law of the land, the law of my father himself, I am yer leader now. If Edric was the king to whom ye swore yer loyalty, then that throne now belongs tae me."
Neala's breath caught. Surely Ansel had not simply staged a coup? Surely he would not fight Cailean and claim the throne for himself? But her breathing eased as he continued.
"And as yer new king, I tell ye this: the rebels will soon be at our door. In a matter of hours, Cailean McNair will lead his army tae destroy the last remains of the Ashkirk legacy. Ye may fight me if ye wish. Ye may fight them when they arrive. But many of me men have already proven their loyalty, and when I surrender tae the McNairs, they will surrender with me. Accept that it is over. Face the justice that the True King is bringin'."
Someone cried out, "And when he puts us all tae the sword?"
Neala shook her head. "He willnae!" she insisted. She covered her mouth and glanced at Ansel, but he nodded at her to go on. "Cailean willnae kill anyone who surrenders tae him with a genuine intention tae atone. He doesnae wish for any more death than there has tae be. The McNair name stands for justiceand peace. If ye dinnae fight, if ye commit yerself tae the new freedom of Scotland, then ye will live."
"But if ye fight," Ansel added, "Ye will die. Either by the rebels' blades—or by mine."
A crystalline pause followed that statement. Then, one by one, soldiers started to drop their swords. Weapons fell to the ground as men disarmed themselves, and those who had been fighting each other only moments ago moved to help the injured.
It was over.
Neala turned to Ansel, full-hearted and almost giddy as the reality hit her, but that joy turned to ash in her mouth as she saw the sad smile on his face.
What she'd said had been true. Cailean didn't want any more death than was needed. But she also knew that he'd made his allies a promise and that there was one more life that had to end. She stared at the dead king on the ground before them, and her stomach tightened.
It looked like Edric Ashkirk would have his final victory after all.
Chapter 21
Darren caughtNessa's arm as they made the final approach to Blackthorn Castle. They were exhausted and bloodied after facing and defeating yet another ambush on the final push toward their destination, and many of the injured rebels were staying behind, taking the refuge offered by the terrified villagers who lived around the castle.
"Ye should stay here," Darren told her. "Ye're nae warrior."
"Me sister is goin'," Nessa replied defiantly. "I should be there too."
