The Ring and the Crown (The Ring and the Crown 1)

“You are truly merciful,” Aelwyn said as she knelt before her. “I serve you, my queen. You have my loyalty. I am your friend, you have been mine…”

“Winnie, you don’t need to apologize,” said Marie.

“There is more, my princess,” Aelwyn said, bowing her head. “I must beg for your forgiveness. My father admitted to me that he has been poisoning you since you were young. He made you think you suffered from the wasting plague. Your mother, the queen, began to suspect as much.”

“I knew there was a reason I was afraid of your father,” said Marie. “Although I did not think he was trying to kill me.”

“He never tried to kill you. It was to make sure your will w

as strong enough to triumph over a weakened body—strong enough to lead an empire. Testing your strength was a precaution to protect the empire, to protect the realm from weakness inside and out. I’m sorry, it is upsetting news, and it was to me.”

Marie laughed without bitterness. “Strangely, I am not upset. I am just relieved that I do not suffer from illness after all.”

“You have proven you are the strongest ruler this empire will know,” Aelwyn said. “You will be queen. I will bond to the Order and serve as your Morgaine.”

Aelwyn swore fealty to the princess. As she did, she remembered her father’s words that morning. We serve the realm by choosing the monarch. I chose Henry over Charles. I saw the future: I saw this empire standing tall and proud. I saw Camelot lasting a thousand years. I prevented wars, famine, death; instead, I gave this land peace, prosperity, and a succession of worthy sovereigns.

Your mother and I planned it from the beginning.

When her time to exit came upon her, Eleanor understood what the empire needed: we each needed an heir. One to rule, and one to serve.

She had a dream once, that her daughter would betray her—that her daughter was a traitor. And so we devised a test. We knew Aelwyn’s power of illusion and Marie’s desire to have a different life. We decided we would announce Marie’s engagement to Leopold to set it in motion. Nothing happens in this empire without our knowledge, but we left it to you both to save the kingdom from ruin. If both of you failed, then I would step in, but we would be lost; we would have to try again somehow. Our time was running short.

Eleanor had two daughters seventeen years ago.

One from the seed of her long-dead husband. And the other from the seed of her most trusted advisor.

One to rule, and one to serve.

They were sisters—twins—best friends born into separate destinies.

After telling her the truth, the Merlin had withdrawn into himself. She had shifted forward in her seat, one last question burning in her mind.

“Father, have you seen the future in the glass? It will not show me mine,” she had asked.

He’d sighed. “I have seen many futures. Each one shows that now is the time for my death. Eleanor will not live the year, and neither will I. But I have seen you taking the vows and taking your place by the throne. For you have chosen the monarch, have you not?”

She had. She thought she had chosen to rule herself, but when she’d seen Leopold in the courtyard, she’d known what had to happen. The death of the prince meant Marie had to return, and she could not take Marie’s place. That had never been her true place in the castle, her true position. When she had sent the bullet flying to its mark, she had chosen Marie to be queen and sovereign.

Sweet, compassionate Marie, who would rule the land with a gentle hand and an intelligent heart.

Aelwyn had chosen the monarch, and chosen well.

Lady Constance had arrived for tea again that afternoon. She wanted Ronan to tell her everything that had happened at the palace on the night the prince was killed. Ronan told her what she could, but did not relish the news. Wolf’s brother was dead. She did not know what it meant for her, but she feared what it would bring.

“And I have good news,” she said. “Lady Julia thinks Marcus will propose to you again. This time you must accept.”

“I must?”

“Your mother and I made an agreement,” Lady Constance said. “Shall I speak plainly?”

“Please do.”

“I was to help you land a titled lord. You are a rich American girl, and his family goes back generations. I help set up the match, and voilà.”

“Wait—my mother promised you a fee?” Ronan goggled.

Lady Constance shrugged. “It’s a typical practice during the season. How else did you get an invitation to the royal ball? I gave you one of my slots.”