The corners of his eyes creased as he asked, “My king, did you ever have her?” He let me absorb that as he continued, “Send her away for your sake. For the people’s sake. Send her away, and let her complete her quest, as she must do. Then you are free to take the Scarlet Throne and restore these people to their proper place in Antora.”
“And what happens to her afterward?”
Gerald shrugged. “If she is lucky, she will be allowed to leave Antora. If she is unlucky, or if the corruption worsens before this is over …” He glanced up at me without ending his thought.
I shook my head, the only movement I could manage due to the crushing weight resting on my chest. My mind raced to find any scenario in which Kestra and I remained together. And came up with nothing.
“The people surely know how I feel about her. I’ll never convince them otherwise.”
He sighed. “I’ve considered that. We must give you a cover. I suggest Harlyn Mindall. She likes you. And maybe in time, you will learn to like her too.”
I grunted with irritation. “Am I supposed to like her … or marry her?”
“Both. Although the sequence is up to you.” Gerald leaned forward. “The people respect her. If she is at your side, they will learn to respect you too. You need her.”
I cursed and banged my fist against the bedpost, but even as I did, I received my second visitor, Harlyn herself. Who was admitted in under the pretense of examining my wound, though I doubted this seventeen-year-old girl was the pinnacle of the Halderian medical team.
With a quick wink at me, she did a brief check of my bandages, but when she examined my right ar
m, her brows pressed together and her expression at Gerald was filled with deep concern.
“What?” I asked.
“I think we can remove the bandage on your chest by tonight, which is good news. But there’s a bump beneath the wound in your arm, and the flesh is hotter than it should be, even with a burn. I think you should keep it bandaged until we figure out what to do.” She frowned. “The Infidante was not as thorough as she might have been in healing you.”
“The Infidante saved my life,” I snapped.
“We cannot delay the crowning ceremony,” Gerald said. “The people need to see a leader in place as soon as possible.”
“I’m well enough,” I said, sensing an opportunity. “Out of respect for the Coracks who fought with us, please invite any who wish to intend.”
Kestra. I hoped she’d come.
And I waited the entire day to find out.
With all the patience I could muster, I endured the tailors who fitted me for an outfit suitable for a crowning, a black tunic with a brown sash and three blue stripes on my shoulder, and a longcoat over the top.
With less patience, I endured the visits of those who hoped to gain my favor and be named to a position of power. If only they knew what I really thought of them.
And with no attempt at being patient, I endured the slow passage of time. I genuinely had no idea if Kestra would come—our last several encounters had been disasters. But I hoped she would.
Finally, it was time for the ceremony, which would be followed by a supper in the town square. The ceremony itself would be held in the same outdoor theater where Kestra had become Infidante, built on a hillside with the stage at the lowest point. Every Halderian was invited, regardless of wealth, status, or rank. From my position on a seat in front, I watched the people enter, some with excitement to have a king again, some with dread at the same. A few rows back, I overheard mothers pointing me out to their children, and young women offering their opinions on which of them would be most suitable as my queen.
None of them. Especially when I heard them giggle. I wondered if a king could outlaw giggling.
“Ignore them.” Harlyn casually sat beside me. A seat, which I hadn’t realized, must have been reserved for her. Of course it was. She was dressed in formal attire with her hair slicked back, and in a long blue dress with brown trimmings. She looked beautiful.
Harlyn asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Not great. The Coracks have a physician. When this is over, I’ll ask her to come.”
“Our doctors are already speaking with Loelle about your arm. I’m sure they’ll figure out a solution soon. Until then, this will be a historic night. Can you feel the anticipation around us?”
Around us?
I turned to her, needing to be firm, but also hoping to be as gentle as possible. “Harlyn, you asked me to give you a chance, but I have to explain—”
“No, I have to explain.” Harlyn took my hand in both of hers and leaned forward to speak directly into my ear. “I’m ready to be your queen, but only when you are ready too. Until then, I will let the people think that because their commander has entrusted his daughter with you, that they should trust you too. I will stay by your side and do all I can to help you retake the Scarlet Throne. But marry me because you love me, and for no other reason.”