“It feels so wrong, destroying everything he built,” Alaric whispers, staring off into the distance, at the sky slowly graying with dawn.
I lean up on my toes and press a gentle kiss to his lips. “He was the one destroying Vanzador.Youare saving it.”
Hot tears slide down Alaric’s cheeks as he kisses me back. Then he takes my hand, and we wend our way down the mountain in thoughtful silence.
The search for Soren’s body is slow and arduous. For some reason, I imagined finding him on an outcropping of stone, lying peaceful and unscathed, as if on a funeral pyre. As strong in death as he was in life. But even with the power to move the earth, he was no match for its brutal strength in the end. Jagged rocks ripped the king of Vanzador limb from limb as he fell, and the final impact obliterated everything that remained.
Alaric falls to his knees, retching, so I force down my own queasiness and collect what I can in my skirt. Then we make our way back up to the Fortress as the first rays of coral sunlight streak the sky.
Alaric’s breaths quicken and his steps falter as the spires of the castle take shape through the low-hanging clouds. He looks like he’s marching to his execution, but I feel the opposite. Without the threat of Soren looming over us like a storm cloud, the Fortress doesn’t look nearly as intimidating. The palace, buildings, and even the behemoth wall are just structures made of stone. The streets are pebble-packed earth. All of it as real and natural as the soil and grasses of Tashir.
We slip through the city wall and back inside the palace, which is thankfully still quiet with sleep.
“Go make yourself presentable,” I tell Alaric. “You need to address the people as soon as possible. I’ll have them gather in the industrialsector, near the secret hospital.”
Alaric blinks dazedly. “How will you manage that?”
“Delphine and Elodie will help me spread the word among the courtiers and servants. Then we’ll send runners into the city to inform the rest of the people.”
“What about my Father’s councilors? They won’t come if they know I’m the one that’s calling.”
“I’ll alert them myself. I’ll tell Von Nevus you and Soren got into an argument last night and lead him to believe the announcement has to do with Soren reprimanding you. They will happily gather to witness that.”
“And what happens when it doesn’t play out like that? When they realize…” His eyes drift down to the remains of his father in my skirt.
“They’ll have no choice but to fall in line. Now go.”
***
In less than an hour, the last of the miners are filing into the crowded streets, looking irritated and bewildered. Word reached them just in time. A few minutes later, and they would have descended into the depths of the earth. It would have taken hours to bring them all back to the surface, which would have left too much time for Soren’s councilors to start asking questions.
They stand in a line of blue robes at the head of the square, arms crossed and faces stern, pretending not to be as curious as the sleep-tousled courtiers, who are too busy whispering to worry about their rumpled gowns and mussed hair for once.
Behind the courtiers, vendors and shopkeepers chatter amongst themselves, while Delphine and the other palace servants exchange whispers and furtive glances.
I shoot my maid a grateful smile from where I stand beside Alaric and Queen Tessa, on the balcony of a factory adjacent to the hospital.I search out Elodie’s face, too, and blow her a kiss. None of this would have been possible without their quick feet, far-reaching connections, and unwavering trust.
I didn’t know what I was missing when my world was so narrow. I never knew how good it feels to have people who love and trust you enough to leap to your aid without hesitation. And as I look fondly on these two Vanzadorian women—the last people I would have sought for friendship—I silently vow to follow their example going forward. I want to be a queen who reaches out instead of retreating in. Our lives are meant to be shared—like the sun, spreading its life-giving light across the planting fields. If we share ourselves with only a select few, they risk being scorched by the heat and intensity—the way I was burned by Rowenna’s love. I was so close to her fire, I didn’t even realize I was burning until she was gone.
“Whereis your father?” Queen Tessa asks Alaric for at least the sixth time. “What on earth could the two of you have to say that’s more important than my morning salon? I requested cheese soufflés today, and now they’ll have fallen flat.”
I watch Alaric’s jaw work. He’s about to take the biggest leap of his life, and neither of his parents are truly here to witness it.
I grab his hand and hold it tight. “You can do this,” I whisper.
He nods, his eyes wide with fear, but he gives a small squeeze in return. “Wecan do this.”
He kisses me and his mother on the cheek—the signal for Delphine and her helpers to get into position—then he strides to the front of the balcony and grips the rail with both hands. I’m struck by how strong he looks with his back straight and chin lifted, wearing a silk jacket so fine it’s nearly translucent. His face is freshly shaven, his boots polished to a high shine, and his wild hair has even been oiled back, making him look less boyish and brooding, and more serious and competent. More like a king.
A wave of overwhelming pride and admiration surges through me. A feeling dangerously close to love.
Alaric clears his throat and raises his hands. “Thank you for joining me this day,” he begins, but he’s instantly cut off by shouted questions and demands for King Soren.
Each word makes Alaric flinch, but he rolls his shoulders back and forges on. “My father’s absence is exactly why I’ve called you here.”
“What do you meanabsence?” Von Nevus steps forward. “Where’s the king?”
Another councilor quickly joins in. “Youcalled us here? I thought we were summoned by King Soren.”
