Evelyn sent sparks flying toward the guards. Not enough to hurt them but enough to dissuade them from arguing with her. As soon as the guards jumped back, Evelyn fled down the hallway. She was impressed when Hannah followed her instead of obeying orders.
They ran downstairs, chasing the sound of urgent shouting. The front doors were wide open. Evelyn didn’t slow down as she ran outside.
The first thing she saw was Leo, collapsed to his knees on the cobblestones facing the river. His arms were limp at his sides and his head was lowered, like he had lost a battle and was awaiting his fate.
Hannah released a horrified, instinctive scream. Evelyn jumped, then realized her sister was lookingupat something, instead of down at Leo. That’s when she saw it.
A ten-foot stake had been erected in front of the river. King Gerard was impaled through his chest at the top of it. He was shirtless and in his pajama pants, like he’d been taken while sleeping. The king had been dropped on his back and his blood dripped steadily onto the ground.
Evelyn understood Leo’s look of defeat.
Long live the king.
The front lawn of the palace was in chaos. Bleary-eyed guards searched the palace grounds while shaken soldiers set up blockades on the road. No one dared get too close to the dead king. They also gave Leo a wide berth.
King Tristan came through the front doors and gasped. Hannah threw her arms around him, hiding her face. Their father didn’t take his eyes off his former friend.
A bloodcurdling scream came from an upper floor of the palace.
That sounds like Queen Camille. At least she’s alive, but I hope she doesn’t see this.
Damien appeared out of the crowd and went to his friend’s side.
“Leo,” he said quietly.
Leo didn’t move or respond.
“Alexander,” Damien tried again, a little louder.
Again, Leo didn’t react.
“Your Majesty!” Damien shouted.
Leo flinched at his father’s title.
No, wait.If the king is dead, that means Leo is the king now. He will be called Your Majesty instead of Your Highness.
Leo slowly lifted his head and glared at Damien, who stared him down.
“Get up,” Damien commanded.
Reluctantly, Leo stood.
“We have work to do,” Damien growled at him. “You need to start giving orders or let me do it.”
Leo was ready to punch Damien.
“The Connollys are here,” Damien reminded him. “Soldiers are waiting for directions. Your mother is still upstairs.What do you want to do?”
Leo took a step back, like he could physically separate from his pain. He ran his fingers through his hair. “Find General Savatier. Then send word to the four lords about what’s happened.”
Damien gave him a half-bow and ran off.
Another soldier approached Leo. “Prince… Your… Alexander, sir.” The man stumbled over what to call the prince-king. “Shall we cut him down from there?”
“No,” Leo said. “Leave him for now until we know more. We don’t want to disturb any evidence.”
The soldier also bowed and left.
