Then I would.
We’d both worked for me to take this crown.
And we would both do anything to put it where it belonged—on my brow.
* * *
I found Lord Otto and Lord Xenon in the formal dining room. I stood over them, fists clenched at my sides.
The two other people in the area fled, my wild hair and red-rimmed eyes enough of a warning for them to skedaddle.
I stated quietly, “I have three conditions.”
Lord Xenon shook his head slightly and sighed. “There are no conditions.”
“I have conditions. Will you hear me?”
Lord Otto shrugged. “Fine. Tell us your conditions.”
Glancing between them, I didn’t falter. “I will not have this done in public. I request a small party of witnesses. The overlords, the Monitor, and two other people of the Council’s choosing so that there is no bias.”
“That is not how this is done,” Lord Xenon grumbled.
I leaned in close to the two of them. “Does the law tell mehowI am to commit murder?”
Both shook their heads, their brows puckered in thought.
“Then I will choose how I will commit murder against someone who is a sister to me.” I straightened, shoving my shoulders back. I peered down my nose into their eyes. “My first condition is that you give me the space and set up exactly as I said—witnesses and the victim. That’s all.”
With a simple glance, they spoke volumes to each other.
“A small gathering is granted.” Lord Otto’s words were smooth and cold. “What is your second condition?”
“I am left alone for a week to mourn. There will be no contact from the Councilorsortheir agents.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Nothing from anyone. Alone. To mourn.”
Rapidly shaking his head in the negative, Lord Otto looked ready to explode. “The ceremony—”
I cut him off rapidly, “Unless it’s in the law—that is my demand.”
Lord Xenon put a hand on Lord Otto to hold him in the chair. “It is not in the tradition. The ceremony is usually the day after. We can only accommodate an uncrowned queen for four days. At the most. That is our compromise.”
It wouldn’t matter how many days they could manage. It would never be enough.
My head nodded in a stiff jerk. “Fine. Four. Uninterrupted by anyone.”
“And your last condition?” Lord Xenon prompted me to finish.
“I crown myself. No one places that crown on my head but me.”
Lord Otto nearly jumped out of his seat. “Unheard of!”
The unshakeable, unreadable Lord Xenon cracked. “That’s not right. That’s not the way it’s been done in the past. The queen should be crowned by the eldest overlord. Lord Otto is correct—this is unheard of.”
“Well, hear of it, or you lose this Queen Novitiate.” I wasn’t budging.
Another glance at each other, and they nodded at the same time accepting the terms.
“Set up a dinner,” I said.
