Merrick handed her into the carriage then climbed in beside her. Father Ling leaned in and looked at Isabella. “Be on your guard, Your Highness. Much is not as it seems.”
As they lurched forward, the awful knot in her stomach grew. His cryptic words gave her a sense of foreboding. She twisted her hands nervously in front of her and peered anxiously out the window.
They moved more swiftly than she remembered traveling before, but then there was a threat of attack. The soldiers rode with swords drawn, constantly assessing the landscape around them.
She sat back in her seat, forcing herself to relax.
“It’s almost over,” Merrick said.
“Yes,” she replied. She turned to look at him, seizing their last opportunity to be alone before arriving at the palace. “Merrick, what you said before we jumped… Did you mean it?”
He looked away as if reluctant to discuss the matter.
“You don’t have to answer,” she said in a rush. In a lot of ways, it would be easier if he didn’t confirm his earlier declaration.
When he turned his gaze back to her, his eyes were a swirl of conflicting emotions. Uncertainty, vulnerability. As if his entire soul was laid out before her.
For the first time, she realized that this was a man, who despite his best attempts, felt deeply about all things in his life. His devotion to his country, while a bandage for wounds inflicted by his father, ran strong. And now, if she was to believe the evidence before her, he felt just as deeply abouther.
A knot grew in her stomach. She wouldn’t purposely hurt this man for anything in the world, but some hurts were inevitable. As they had both come to realize.
He continued to stare at her, every ounce of feeling burning in his eyes. “I meant it,” he said finally.
Had he waged a private war with himself over whether to make such an admission?
Unable to bear his scrutiny any longer, she turned away before she lost every ounce of resolve she possessed.
After Jacques was captured, she promised herself. When her parents were avenged, she would address this matter between them.
The carriage halted, and she blinked rapidly then looked eagerly out the window. The door opened, and Merrick stepped out. He held his hand back to her, and she slowly descended the steps.
She was home.
The palace stood before her, nestled in the bosom of Soleil Mountain. Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she would not allow them to come. Not yet.
Drawing herself up, she ordered in a clear loud voice, “Bring Montagne to me!”
The soldiers rushed forward into the palace gates, six remaining behind to escort her within. She shrugged away Merrick’s hand and strode forward.
She entered the Great Hall, her skirts swinging around her as her determined steps sounded on the highly polished floor. Members of court, high-ranking officials, lords and ladies alike gasped in astonishment when their eyes lighted on her.
She trailed up the red carpet to stand before the high table, her fists knotted at her sides. “Where is he?” she demanded, her voice echoing across the hall.
The Lord of the Order, a man appointed by her own father, stood from his seat, the gavel slipping from his hands. “Princess Isabella,” he gasped. “We thought you dead.”
“As you can see I am very much alive,” she replied. “Now tell me where is Montagne?”
Silence fell over the hall. Lord Helwedge cleared his throat nervously. “I do not know, Your Highness. He left not a few minutes ago. We were about to take a vote on whether to change the rule of succession so that a ruler could be crowned without producing the relics.”
Rage boiled over her. “Well, as you can see, I have returned to assume the throne and to carry out my father’s legacy. I have been into the caves, and I have recovered the relics. Tomorrow, according to the supreme laws of Leaudor, I shall be crowned your queen.”
A gasp went up from the room, and the excited buzz of chatter sounded in her ears.
“Yes, of course, Your Highness,” Lord Helwedge said shakily. He rubbed a hand over his forehead then sat heavily in his chair.
She whirled around to face the occupants of the room. “Listen well and heed my words. Anyone associating with or supporting Jacques Montagne will be branded a traitor and dealt with accordingly.”
She turned back to eye Lord Helwedge. “I fully expect you to apprise the rest of the court and the army as well that their leader is no longer Jacques Montagne.”
