In the end, she had to face the harsh truth. “There’s no one.”
At least no one she’d trust with that kind of power. A few, such as Ferox, would be worse than her mother.
Gisela sighed. “The Thassalians are doomed.”
Dash shifted his gaze to Xaydin.
“Don’t even think it. I won’t sit on my own throne, why would I sit on someone else’s?”
“I wasn’t planning to crown you. Rather I’m thinking you’d be an excellent bodyguard for a queen.”
Still Gisela shook her head. “I’m an assassin, not a politician. Is there not one Outlaw capable of taking our throne?”
Ronan laughed bitterly. “No. The one thing we all learned while in your mother’s custody was never to trust a centaur.”
It was hard for her to argue that when she’d come away with the same lesson.
Dash let out a tired sigh. “We have a choice. Leave Meara in power and endure her constant scheming and attacks. Or we find someone willing to take the throne who is able to keep the centaurs from rebelling. Anyone know anyone? I’m open to all suggestions.”
There weren’t any.
Gisela took Xaydin’s hand in hers. “If I do this, I don’t want to be alone.”
“If you do this, I’m in it with you. Because I’m stupid that way.”
She laughed at his dire tone. “And apparently, so am I.” Cutting her gaze back to Dash, she already regretted the decision she was making. “I’ll do this, but if I’m overthrown and beheaded, I’ll be haunting you for eternity.”
Xaydin snorted. “And I’ll be beating the shit out of him.”
22
One Week Later
In centaur form, Gisela stood with the whole of Dash’s army at the border of her mother’s lands.
This had been the last thing she wanted. But Dash had been right. Meara would never stop.
Not until she was forced from her throne.
I hate war.
Yet here she stood, side-by-side with men and women ready to lay down their lives to end her mother’s bloody reign.
Her mother’s army was ready. They were in the valley below, waiting for the cry to begin killing.
Dash’s army was primarily unicorns, but he had a number of soldiers from other races, including two dragons who were friends of his wife.
Because she was pregnant, Tanis had stayed at home where it was safest for the baby she carried.
As the war drums pounded a rhythm that went all the way through her body, the fetid wind blew through their ranks, ruffling the banners of their army and her hair and tail.
She’d never fought in her centaur form before. But it seemed somehow right. Natural even.
How she hated to think of the number of their soldiers who’d die today. The number of centaurs who’d pay for her mother’s greed and cruelty.
And for what? A hollow crown?
She’d never cared less for it. Never dreamt she could be queen, yet here she was, willing to die to make sure no more innocent centaurs suffered.
