Though they call themselves the Green Rule, my brother’s soldiers still wear the golden armor of the Queen’s Army. They form ranks as I approach, drawing their spears before them. My blade is heavy in my hand. One hundred soldiers. One hundred lives. Did I take that many in Queen’s Reach? What about during my journey across Summer, in pursuit of Rosalina?
This time, my thoughts are not clouded. I focus only on my one reason to wield my blade: Protect Delphia and Eleanor.
I’m nearly across the bridge when I feel a presence on either side of me. I look down.
Delphia struts to my right, swinging her twin blades. Nori shuffles on my left, holding two glowing pumpkins in each hand.
I stop and blink, not believing my eyes. “What are you two doing here?”
“I tried to stop them!” Mozi cries. He runs up beside us, breathless.
“When will you learn, we don’t ever listen to what you have to say?” Delphia grins up at me.
“We waited until the masked man was dealt with,” Nori says mildly. “You should be impressed with our patience.”
I take a deep, steadying breath. It’s too late to send them back. We step off the bridge onto the packed sand. The soldiers at the front of the ranks stare at all four of us. One steps forward.
“What have we got here?” He leans on his spear. “The Prince of Blood, the runaway princess, a defector, and a little girl.”
“I’m older than Delphie,” Nori mumbles under her breath, “and a princess too.”
“What’s your plan, Prince of Blood?” The soldier holds his arms out. “You going to slay all of us? I don’t think so. Let me tell you how this is going to work. I’m going to cut all your throats, then free our Emperor.”
A second member of the army shifts his stance, then says lowly, “They’re little girls, sir. Emperor Kairyn gave orders to take them alive.”
“I don’t care,” the first one snarls. “He’ll want them dead after the defeat he just suffered. I’ll take the glory for killing them myself!”
“Now, can we fight them?” Delphie growls, giving one of her blades a twirl.
“Not yet,” I murmur. How easy it would be to walk over and take this man’s head with a single swing. One hundred soldiers. I could do it—I could kill every single one of them if it meant keeping the girls safe. I could paint the sand with blood until it matched the red clay of the Ribs.
But I turn and look at Mozi. He steps forward, spear held protectively in front of us. “If you want them, you’ll have to go through me.”
The soldier laughs. “It will be my pleasure.”
There may be one more Mozi in those ranks of soldiers. One more person who needs someone to look at them with forgiveness. One more person who needs a second chance.
Rosalina has given me that chance. Delphia and Eleanor have too.
And though I wouldn’t admit it to myself, Keldarion had given me that chance, as well, to be his brother again, and I refused it.
I walk forward and sheathe my blade. Thetingof Spring steel rings through the canyon. The soldier looks at me, confused, but I stare past him, holding the gazes of the men and women who once vowed their lives to Queen Aurelia.
“My name is Ezryn. I speak to you today not as a prince but as a man who has journeyed through the darkest of nights, who has been burdened with grief and despair.” My voice booms out across the desert. “I know you all have walked this path, as well. You were once warriors of light. I beg you to find that spark once again.”
The ranks are silent, not even the clink of spears or the shuffle of armor. “Even in this time of hopelessness, when you think yourselves abandoned and alone, hear me when I say, this is not true. There is hope if only we have the courage to find it. Queen Aurelia may never return, but that does not mean we give in to her enemies. You once swore vows to her because you believed in what she stood for. Unity. Balance, and, above all, love for our people, our realms, and ourselves. We must not let her memory fade into oblivion.”
The sun burns my eyes, but I do not look away. I think of Rosalina, of how, no matter where she goes, her light shines on those around her. She is my hope. May she be theirs, as well. With all the conviction I bear in my heart, I continue: “Her daughter, the rightful heir to Castletree, needs you. She is our glimmer of hope. Though the storm may rage around us and within us, we can stand together and endure any tempest. I lost myself to the darkness, and the Golden Rose offered her forgiveness, as she will forgive you. Seek the sun as you once did and find your redemption.” My voice radiates out, strong and sure. “I ask you now, warriors of light, who among you will remember the vow you once made? Who will stand with the Queen? Who will return to the light?”
Silence yawns back at me from across the ranks. My heart beats painfully against my chest.
“Aye,” a voice calls from the back. A soldier breaks formation and walks forward, her spear pointed down. “I will stand with the new Queen.”
She strides past her comrades and stands beside us. I nod at her, and she takes position behind Mozi.
The first soldier who threatened us tilts his head back and laughs. “More flesh for the vultures!”
Then another voice calls out, “I’ll stand with the Queen.” A different soldier breaks formation and comes to our side.
