“No citizen of Avrandar is above the law,” Stellon said. “And all criminals must face justice, no matter who they are.”
Turning toward Pharis, he announced, “Pharis Randalin, you are charged with the crimes of thievery, deceit, and treason against the crown. Your sentence is public scourging… to the brink of death.”
Heart screaming, I launched from my chair, rushing toward Stellon to protest. He turned around and walked swiftly back to his throne, dragging me along with him.
Setting me firmly back into my seat, he leaned close so his words were muttered against my ear.
“You’re embarrassing yourself—and me,” he said. “This is not Waterdale, Raewyn. You’re in the Fae world now. This is how things are done here. If you want to be Queen, you’ll have to get used to it.”
But Idon’twant to be Queen.
The instantaneous thought blared through my mind. It must have projected beyond me as well because Stellon’s head jerked back, and his expression contracted in horror.
“Did you just… say something?”
Shaking my head rapidly, I denied it. I needed to think this through. I had to intervene somehow to help Pharis.
After all he’d done, I wasn’t surewhyit was so necessary, but itwas.
And to do that, instinct told me I had to avoid angering Stellon.
“You don’t need to do this for my sake,” I assured him. “I am here. I am unharmed and can barely remember the time I spent away from you in his castle.”
“That’s the problem. Who knows what happened while you were there with him? I couldn’t sleep last night thinking of it. He glamoured you. He could have done anything to you and made you forget.”
I shook my head vigorously. “But hedidn’tdo anything. He could have, but he didn’t.”
“How do you know?” Stellon asked. “You said you couldn’t remember.”
“I don’t know how. I justknow.”
“My brother is powerful and persuasive,” Stellon said in a tone of understanding. “It’s not your fault, Firebug. I don’t blame you for anything that happened, but you must trust me. I’m doing what has to be done.”
“For the good of the Kingdom?” I asked sharply. “Or for revenge— for your own sense of pride.”
“Foryou.You’ll never be safe as long as Pharis is around, messing with your mind. He must be convinced never to try such a thing ever again.”
He looked toward the royal torturer and raised a hand. The man moved into position behind Pharis, drawing back his whip, waiting for the King’s signal.
Desperate now, I pleaded with Stellon. “You promised me last night that you wouldn’t punish him.”
He gave me a grim look. “Youaskedme to promise. I made no such vow.”
What?
Oh gods. He was going to do it. He was going to kill his brother.
Because ofme.
I looked around wildly for Princess Mareth, hoping for an ally. She didn’t appear to be in attendance.
She must have known what was on the schedule of entertainments for the evening and had refused to attend. Perhaps Stellon had even forbidden her from coming.
Stellon dropped his hand, and the flogger stretched his arm back then brought it forth sharply.
The sound of the whip cracked, echoing around the ballroom in loud aftershocks.
A second later, Pharis’ body jerked, and a raw, red line appeared on his back.
