Lana shrieks. “You dare threaten us? Even worse, you dare to command us?”
I take a step forward and pour more power into the flames. “I dare to assume the command that is my birthright. I’m sick of you three playing like your desires are more important than those of the Sun God Himself. As the rightful heir, I am assuming my rightful control of the tribes today.” I turn to the court scribe, who scribbles so fast in his attempt to record our words that I note several places where he’s torn through the vellum with the nib of his quill. “You hear that, Barton? As of today, the Elders are stripped of their authority. They are now nothing more than old dogs. I, Cara Solari, heir to Solari, am embracing my claim to the throne of the tribes.”
The Elders stammer and sputter, declaring me unfit and shouting orders to the guards to arrest me. The guards have a moment of confusion, then march forward to circle the dais.
They draw their swords on the Elders, and I snuff the flames with a satisfied smirk plastered on my face. I turn to Corvin, who stands with his mouth hanging open in shock.
“As for you, General … The wedding is officially off.”
Chapter 11
Cara
I regret my decision the instant I realize that I can no longer hurry back to Sable’s room. Having dismissed the Elders and ordered them imprisoned to their quarters until I know what to do with them, I now sit in the center throne on the dais, barking orders and making decrees left and right. It’s been hours, and I haven’t had much chance to breathe, let alone make sure she’s okay in her new surroundings.
There was some expected backlash to my sudden declaration of rule—mostly from the Elders themselves, but Corvin and the other generals had their own opinions as well. Vic was really the only one who was all for the change, but once I asserted myself and maintained that I wasn’t going to back down, the others reluctantly agreed to accept my rule.
By “reluctantly,” I mean they bickered and shouted for a solid hour before easing into mild grumbling and acquiescence. Corvin practically radiates rage, but once it becomes clear that no one is going to stop me, he sets his jaw and follows through on whatever I say … for now.
I have no delusions that this will be an easy transition. There will undoubtedly be an uptake in assassination attempts, along with outright defiance. If I’m smart, I should really sleep with one eye open.
Speaking of sleeping, I wanted to be there for Sable when she fell asleep, but my duties hold me hostage. Despite being raised to this eventuality, now that it’s here, I find myself woefully unprepared for all the tedium that rule entails. I’ve never had to actuallydoanything as the heir; until now, I’ve just followed the Elders’ lead. I don’t know when I’ll be able to check on her. It could be morning before I can get away.
I appoint Hugh and Sym as co-captains of my guard, skipping over Corvin as I don’t know that I trust him not to slide a knife between my ribs the first chance he gets. I know that neither Hugh nor Sym has any desire to take charge of the tribes, and I know they’ll guard me and anyone I place under my protection to their dying breaths.
After I make hasty arrangements for the transfer of power, I find myself stuck listening to grievances from the populace, things that the Elders normally took care of. I wonder how the Hells they maintained their sanity when people are constantly banging on the door with complaints, but then I realize: They probably only gave audience during the daytime. I bet the Elders never took the time to listen to the citizens if it wasn’t convenient for them.
That’s a trick they never taught me.
Midnight passes and still people line up at the doors, wanting my attention. Once I realize that I can dictate my own hours, I beckon Sym to my side and order everyone removed from the Chamber. I’ll never get out if I listen to everyone, so I hastily set formal grievance hours in a rushed decree, delivered to the waiting populace before the ink is dry on the vellum.
With that taken care of, I think it should be easier to speed through everything else requiring my immediate attention, so I can get back to Sable.
I am so wrong.
“Everything else requiring my immediate attention” turns out to be quite a lot. There are minutiae that I never realized had to be dealt with personally, from what the palace kitchen’s menu will be for the week to making decisions on the official uniforms of the palace staff to signing documents to … Will this ever end?
My stomach starts rumbling around an hour past midnight, and I dismiss almost everyone so I can scarf something down. Last night’s dinner is long since cold, but thankfully someone in the kitchens heated up a portion for me. I hate cold stew.
The duties resume as soon as I’ve swallowed the last bite. How did they know I was done?
By the time four rolls around, I can barely see. I’m so exhausted that my eyes cross as I stare out into the Chambers at my staff. I nudge Sym, who stands next to me.
“Is thereanythingelse that has to be decided right this minute?” I whisper as another town council member drones on about something or other. Crops, maybe, or the weather. I don’t know anymore.
He pauses for a moment. “I think you’re good for a few hours. Want me to send them away?”
“Please.”
Sym signals the guards in the back, and just like that, the supplicants are whisked away.
I’m finally alone.
With a shaking hand, I reach up and rub my forehead to try to clear the burgeoning headache sparking behind my eyes. “Am I really free, Sym?”
A low chuckle rumbles next to me. “Do you really think you’ll ever be free again?”
I groan and lean forward, elbows on my knees. “Ugh. No. But that doesn’t mean I can’t dream.” I crane my neck to gaze out into the hallway, but I don’t see anyone beyond the doors. “It looks safe enough, but maybe I should take the back passageways, huh?”
