Defeat was enough humiliation for anyone. No more needed to be added.
She held on to Xaydin’s hand until they reached Dash and his brother. Still in her equine form, Gisela bowed low before him. “My liege, we’ve captured the queen and tender her to your custody.”
A rumble and curses went through the centaurs.
But Dash silenced them by holding his fist in the air. “Warriors of Thassalia, you fought bravely today. Honorably. You should take pride in defending your country. This is not a defeat. It’s a new beginning for all Thassalians who will no longer be held beneath Meara’s hooves.”
A roar went up among their army. She could feel their enthusiasm and excitement.
Their seven generals rode forward under a white pennant.
Once they stood before Dash, they bowed to him in deference.
The Major General then saluted Dash. “What are your orders, Majesty?”
“Princess Gisela of Thassalia will be in charge. Until a new coronation, she will be Thassalia’s monarch.”
The general inclined his head. “All hail Queen Gisela!”
His call was taken up by the rest of their forces.
But inside, she didn’t rejoice. She was terrified. All she’d wanted was her freedom.
Now she was queen?
“It’ll be all right, Gisela. Just breathe.”
She took Xaydin’s hand and allowed his strength to flow into her.
Because he believed it, she believed it.
It would be fine.
“This is not fine!”Gisela shut the doors and transformed into her human body. “They’re animals and not just because they’re part horse! They’re pigs!”
Xaydin laughed. “Council giving you grief?”
“Giving me a migraine! Now I understand why my mother took their heads all the time. Terror makes it easier to negotiate with them.”
“I won’t argue that. I find a swift kick in the ass and punch to the throat a remarkable way of adjusting certain attitudes and tones.”
She gave him a droll stare. Though to be honest, she was coming around to his way of thinking. “I won’t be my mother.”
“No one thinks that. Want me to slap them around in your stead?”
At the moment, yes. It was a lot more tempting than it should be.
“No. But keep it in mind.”
Someone knocked on the door to her bedchambers. Gisela returned to her centaur body. “Enter.”
It was the eldest member of their council. “Forgive me, Highness. We didn’t mean to distress you.”
“All’s fine,” she lied, hiding her agitation from him. It wasn’t…
Actually, it was his fault in part. He’d egged on the others.
Clearing her throat, she moved past that. “What brings you here?”
