“Wait…” I think my father says, but the guards lift his litter and carry him inside the keep.
Kairyn’s heavy breath reverberates beneath his helm. The crowd has started murmuring now, repeating my father’s word: Forgiveness.
Don’t they understand? There has been no royal pardon ever granted in history. I would make no special request for myself.
Even in my father’s most feeble state, the people are loyal to him. It is testament to his many long years serving beside the High Princess, for his leadership in battle and government. They must mourn who he used to be, as they mourn my mother. This dedication … They’re extending it to me.
“Forgiveness for High Prince Ezryn!” one of them calls.
“Amnesty!”
“Show mercy, m’lord!”
And then one voice cries out above all the rest, and a body flings between me and Kairyn. Arms spread wide, hair blowing in the breeze, is my mate. “High Prince Ezryn removed his helm to save my life. I am his mate. It is written in both the stars and the creed that we are to witness all of one another,” Rosalina breathes. “I was then set upon by those guards and he tried to protect me. It was an unfortunate accident, but High Prince Ezryn did not willingly forsake his creed. Your father, the rightful steward of Spring, has passed the judgment of forgiveness. Let his decision stand.” Her body trembles, but I feel her resolution as strong as steel. “Please, Kairyn.”
Kairyn looks around. He must feel it, as I do. He’s lost the people. They’re rallying behind me.
Could Spring possibly offer forgiveness to a creedbreaker? Could there be salvation?
Kairyn stands still before suddenly throwing back his head. “Well! The people would like to offer mercy to one who makes a mockery of our way. I see how it is.” He shoves Rosalina to the side and snarls to her, “Iam the rightful steward. Yourmatenamed me so before you wandered into a river.”
Rosalina glares at him but stands off to the side, arms crossed.
I notice now Kel, Dayton, and Farron have made their way close to the dais. What must they think of me, to see me in such shame?
“Very well then,” Kairyn says, holding his arms out. “Who am I to speak against the wills of the realm? They beg for mercy. I shall grant it. Just tell the people one thing.” Kairyn lowers down so we’re helm to helm. The dark void where his eyes should be blazes with shadow. He says the words slowly, as if carving away at me with a serrated knife: “Who killed our mother?”
I take in a breath.
Kairyn rises to his feet, voice booming. “Answer it for your faithful citizens. Who murdered High Princess Isidora?”
My voice breaks. “I did.”
“Louder!” Kairyn roars. “Let the realm hear the truth. Who murdered Isidora?”
“I did!” I cry, sinking inward.
“Ez, no!” Kel yells from the side of the dais.
My voice barely carries. “It was an accident. I didn’t mean to—”
“But if it wasn’t for you, our mother would still be here,” Kairyn hisses.
The crowd is in an uproar now. Words of forgiveness have been replaced with that ofmurderer.
Ezryn, don’t listen to him.It’s Rosalina’s voice crying out in my head. I want to hold on to it … But another voice screams louder.
Murderer,Kairyn’s voice growls in my mind.You murdered our mother.
“He admits it!” Kairyn yells aloud. “And so, a sentence must be given.”
Rosalina rushes forward, throwing her body in front of mine again. “It’s not fair! He doesn’t deserve this, and you know it, Kairyn. Leave him alone!”
But I do. I’ve deserved this for decades. The Enchantress thought she cursed me with my beast. Instead, she only gave me another way to kill, to wreak my malice upon the world.
This is my true penance.
I look to Keldarion. Perhaps it is the bonds woven through our love for Rosalina, or perhaps it is the centuries of brotherhood, but he understands. He steps upon the dais and grabs Rose around the waist. “Come on.”
