“Very well.” Briscalar cleared his throat. “From all I heard before I was incarcerated, it's for the best.”
“Her attempted coup is over.” I let the words settle before adding, “Effective immediately.”
Briscalar blinked, his eyes darting to Lore before he exhaled. “Delightful. Long overdue, I might add.” He adjusted the chain around his neck, his frown thoughtful. “And the court?”
“Those on the fence,” I swept my gaze through the room, “will know their place soon.”
I admired how decisively this new version of him had taken the reins, but I also couldn't ignore the exhaustion in his voice.
He’d nearly died. And battling the borgons had been an insurmountable task. Then we'd arrived back here to find a coup in progress. He needed rest.
This wasn't over. Not one bit. Erisandra would not stand for being questioned, let alone locked up in her suite for long.
“If you'll allow me, I'll take over the administrative tasks,” Briscalar said, already bustling back into his usual role. “I’ll send someone to prepare a meal and have it delivered to your individual suites and?—”
“Deliver it to my husband’s quarters,” I stated.
Briscalar paused, his brows lifting.
“I belong at my husband’s side,” I said smoothly, catching Lore’s gaze and holding it. “Have my things moved as well.”
Lore’s smile hit low and deep. It wasn’t Merrick’s wry grin or Lorant’s sharp smirk but something even more devastating. His hand caught mine, his calloused thumb skating over my knuckles. He bent, brushing his lips over my hand, proving he didn’t careone bit about courtly protocol. Right from the start, he’d given me everything he had.
“As you command, Your Majesty.” Briscalar’s voice came out dry, but the glint of approval in his eyes as he dipped into a shallow bow warmed me through. He muttered something that sounded suspiciously like “finally.”
“Everyone other than those taken to the dungeons will attend us here,” Lore growled. “Now.”
Lord Briscalar bowed deeply. “I’ll see to it at once.” He scurried from the room, his voice magically booming through the castle.
We weren’t even seated yet, but walking together toward our thrones made all we'd been through feel real. As people poured into the throne room, their whispers rippled through the air. We sat, and Lore’s gaze swept through the enormous crowd both standing and sitting, many on the floor between the pillared aisle and the dais. So many. I sensed Lore was mentally marking each face that may have expressed doubt.
I savored the feel of the cold throne beneath me. It didn’t seem as foreign or distant as before. Beside this man I loved, it felt earned.
Finally, Lord Briscalar returned and gave us a nod, indicating that everyone within the castle was present. I even spied the kitchen staff among them.
My ladies rushed down the aisle and onto the dais, taking their place to my right.
Lore lifted his hand, and his power surged outward.
Silence descended, even the whispers coming to an abrupt halt.
“This court has been shaken today,” he said, his commanding voice carrying through the high-ceilinged hall. “My wife and I, with the help of those many of you would call lesser, have chased the borgons back into the forest.”
A furor erupted in the room before it was cut off again by the flick of his hand. “We return here victorious, only to discover that those we thought we could trust have betrayed us. No court can survive if it's divided by forces from within and out. The borgons have fled, but that betrayal still remains. I will not ask for your empty words of loyalty. I willtakeit.”
Even those furthest from the dais froze like trapped prey.
“Every lord and lady of this court, every advisor, and every steward within this castle will now swear fealty. To me. To my queen.”
Heads snapped up in shock, and more than one noble exchanged sharp looks with those around them.
“Blood will ensure your promise is kept.”
Hisses rippled through the room.
“Bloodswearing hasn’t been used in generations,” someone said, though I couldn't tell who it was from here.
“It will be used now.” Lore rose from his throne. “Each of you will approach us. You will draw your blood and swear loyalty to me and my queen. If you even think of betraying us, your blood will poison you. Do you understand?”
