We enter the main courtyard and Saxon stops. “What is the meaning of this?”
I peer between Saxon and Zogar.
All the air rushes out of my chest, and my knees crumple. My father’s severed head is on a pike.
Zogar lifts me from my crouch and holds me in his arms. My hood falls back from my face, and I press against his chest, unable to look at the pike.
“When did this happen?” Saxon’s voice is full of anger as he points toward my dead father’s head. “Who gave the orders?”
“The Crown Prince of the Light gave the orders, not two days ago,” Marshal says defensively. “He arrived here, demanding to see the former king’s head on a pike.”
My throat tightens, and my ears close as if they’re trying to crush the rest of my head. Tynan’s father did this horrible thing.
“And what of the princes?” Saxon asks. “Where are the Achotian Princes?”
Looking very guilty, Marshal clears his throat, and rage helps me gather my courage. This is not the time for mourning.
I push away from Zogar’s hold to confront Marshal. “Where are my brothers?”
He gasps. “Princess Rosomon! We were told you were dead.”
I firm my stance. “Clearly, I am not. Take me to my brothers.”
He shakes his head. “I fear I cannot.”
My chest squeezes around my pounding heart. They are dead too. But I fight the tears pricking the backs of my eyes. I must be strong. I must stand firm under the weight of this tragedy.
“By orders of the King of the Light, the princes were captive in the keep,” Marshal says, “but they were taken away not two nights ago.”
My heart lifts, knowing they’re alive, or were two days ago, and my lungs refill with air.
“We suspect the Crown Prince took the boys,” Marshal continues. “Although he did not give me the courtesy of informing me of his plans.”
“What crown prince do you speak of?” Saxon asks. “What is the name of the king’s heir?”
“Tynan,” Marshal says, as if we should know the answer. “Tynan, Crown Prince of the Light.”
CHAPTER 56
Rosomon
My body fills with fury, pushing aside my grief. Tynan not only ordered my father’s execution, he’s taken my brothers. As soon as we find him, I will drive a sword through his heart before Zogar burns him.
No. I will spare his heart with my blade. Instead, I will drive a sword into many less lethal parts of his flesh, leaving him bleeding but alive for Zogar to burn.
Somehow, Tynan is now heir to the throne. I care not what happened to his grandfather, but I know he had seven older brothers. Given that he killed my father, I fear what Tynan might have done to leap before them in the line of succession.
My husband’s arm wraps around my trembling body. “We should leave this place,” he says as softly as his deep voice is able. “You’ve been recognized. It’s not safe for you here.”
Turning in his arms, I spot Nurse. Her eyes are full of wonder but also fear. “Run,” she mouths. “Flee to the forest.”
Zogar’s arm remains protectively around me, and we all move toward the castle gates, but a group of armed soldiers blocks our path, swords and spears at the ready. We too have weapons, but we’re outnumbered, and the thump of echoing footfalls signals that more soldiers and knyghts are coming.
Suddenly, the footfalls stop. Screams and shouts echo through the courtyard.
I turn. Surath has shifted. Her wings nearly fill the width of the courtyard, and the clothes she wore lie in shreds on the ground beneath her talons.
Surath sends a long stream of fire into the air and then takes flight. I shield my eyes against the dust raised by her beating wings.
