The War of Two Queens (Blood and Ash 4)

Cyr nodded. “Of course.”

“What we do here will be heard in other cities,” I reminded him—reminded all of them. Including myself. “This is how we gain the trust of the people of Solis.”

The group nodded, and I looked to the doorway of the balcony. I could hear the hum from the crowd gathered in the courtyard below and in the meadow of Redrock. My heart tripped over itself. “It’s time I speak with them.”

“We’ll wait for you outside.” Sven bowed and then made his way out onto the balcony. Cyr and Emil followed.

“You sure you want to do this now?” Valyn asked, having stayed behind.

“Do you think I shouldn’t?”

“I think you should do what you feel you can,” he said rather diplomatically. “But I also think what you’ve already done today is more than enough.”

He was speaking of the meeting with the families. I pressed the heel of my palm against the pouch, feeling the toy horse. Valyn had been there when I spoke to the families. So had Kieran and Vonetta. They’d borne witness to that painful desperation. “Is all of this not the duty of a Queen?”

“It doesn’t have to be. There’s no rule that says that.” Valyn’s response was as soft as his gaze. “There’s no policy that dictates you must shoulder all the responsibility. That’s why you have an advisor.” He then nodded at Vonetta. “That’s why you have a regent.”

Kieran lifted a shoulder when I glanced at him. “He’s right. Any number of us can speak to the people.”

Anyone could—and probably do a much better job of it than me—but… I looked back up at my father-in-law. “If you were still King, would you have allowed someone else to speak to those families? Speak to the people?”

Valyn opened his mouth.

“Truly?” I prodded.

He sighed as he dragged a heavy hand through his hair, shoving it back from his face. “No, I would’ve done it myself. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to—”

“Bear those marks?” I murmured, and his head tilted in that way. The corners of my lips curved up faintly. “I appreciate the offer.” And I did because I thought it came from a good place. “But this has to be me.”

Something akin to pride settled into his features. “Then it shall be you.”

I drew in a breath, but it didn’t go very far. Nervousness swamped me. “I…I’ve never spoken to such a large crowd before.” My palms felt damp, and I couldn’t help but think if Casteel were here, he would’ve taken the lead on this until I felt comfortable. Not because he’d doubt that I could do it or think that he would be better at it, but because he knew it was something I had so very little experience with. I glanced at Valyn, who had waited behind. “I’m not sure what I should even say to them.”

“The truth,” Valyn suggested. “You tell them what you told us when we arrived. That you’re not a conqueror. That you’re not here to take.”

My chest loosened a little, and I nodded, facing the door.

“Penellaphe,” Valyn called, stopping me. “My son is truly lucky to have found you.”

The knot came back but for a very different reason. But when I took a breath this time, it filled my lungs. “We’re both lucky,” I told him, and I swore the ring warmed against my skin.

I turned back to the door, lifting my shoulders as Vonetta leaned in, speaking quietly. “You got this.”

Reaching down, I took her hand and squeezed it. “Thank you.”

Vonetta squeezed back, and then I went forward, stepping out into the cool air and the bright afternoon sun. My heart pounded as I walked toward the stone railing, followed by the others. The crowd quieted in a wave that extended beyond the courtyard, the meadow, and farther, into the packed and crowded streets. My hands trembled slightly as I placed them on the stone, every fiber of my being aware of thousands and thousands of gazes turned upward, seeing me in the white of the Maiden and the gold mantle of the Atlantians. I wore no crown because I was not their Queen.

And then I told the people of Atlantia what I had told the generals in a voice that trembled but was loud. In a voice that was heard. “We are not conquerors. We are not takers. We are here to end the Blood Crown and the Rite.”

Much later, after addressing the people of Oak Ambler and meeting with the generals to firm up plans for tomorrow and beyond, I paced the length of the sitting area adjoining the bedchamber I’d slept in the night before. Valyn had joined us some time ago, sharing a glass of whiskey with Kieran. Mine sat untouched on the table. My head was too full of thoughts, and my stomach churned, even though it was full.