Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
An agitated murmur moved through the crowd.
“Henry Carrington will thus be drawn, executed and quartered on the morrow.”
Shock swept the citizens.
But True kept on.
“Those who raised their bows against my mother, after they’re fully interrogated, will be publicly hanged.”
People shifted on their feet in dazed surprise.
True kept on.
“Anyone who collaborates with this Rising will share this same fate. People who abet this Rising, if proved in tribunal, will be imprisoned in Crittich Keep for twenty-five years.”
A low hum started amongst the onlookers.
“Anyone coming forward, however,” True continued, “with usable information about this faction will be remunerated with five gold coins, ten silver coins and five pewter coins. Twenty coins. Twenty being the number of archers who took aim at my mother, our queen.”
The hum escalated.
“I will remind you, my people, we are Dellish,” True told them. “We are wise. We are loyal We are true to our own. Thus, no matter what you hear, this Rising is acting on its own remit. It has no alliance with any other realm or religion. If any citizen of this land causes harm or commits foul against anyone or anything, including people or property, this will be punished. Information and known associations with this faction are to be reported to a representative of the crown. Anything else will be unacceptable and punishable by royal edict.”
The buzz increased, as did the shifting.
“My queen and your queen, Farah, and I will be officially coronated after we rout this wickedness from our land. But in the meantime, we will serve you faithfully and tirelessly in all things, not simply this current blight that threatens our people.”
The crowd took in their new king, his queen (incidentally, wearing a lovely forest-green gown with gold trim) with her arm dressed close to her chest standing at his right side. Their lovely Silence, queen of another land, standing at his left, her impressive husband at her side. Cassius of Airen, Elena of the Nadirii positioned to the King of Firenze’s side. The King and Queen of Mar-el next to their new queen. Important personages from another continent altogether gathered as husband and wife on either side.
Their old king stood behind True looking as normal.
Hazy, confused and bored (all at once).
Even so, with all that was said, and all that now was, it was the most impressive thing any of them had ever seen.
And most of them had stood on the wedding parade route just the day before.
“We have suffered an egregious blow,” True declared. “I mourn my mother as my mother and as my queen. Her loss will be felt, for my children will never know her. Her loss will be felt, for I cannot turn to her for what she has given me the whole of my life, great wisdom and astute guidance. And her loss will be felt simply because I loved her.”
The crowd again grew silent and morose.
“But we are Dellish,” True stated, his voice rising. “We are strong, and we are proud. No matter what, we carry on. And we will carry on!”
A bubble of pride started growing amongst the spectators.
“And as such, I will end with sharing from the heart that it is my deep honor to be your king. It is my destiny, but mostly it is my privilege. And because of this, you have my vow now until my last breath, I will serve you fair. And I will serve you…” He drew in a visible breath and then bellowed, “True!”
A shout began at the front and rose in strength and volume as it exploded to the back.
And it did not die down as True, their king, bowed to them.
The crowd grew frenzied when he turned to his new bride and touched his lips to hers only for him to pull back and her beautiful face, still tipped to his, warmed with her smile.
King True then nodded to his people, turned, tucked his queen’s hand in his elbow…
And they strolled from the royal balcony.
91
The End
Princess Serena
Stand Hall, Birchlire Castle, Notting Thicket
WODELL
“Of course that would be your decision,” she hissed at her sister.
Elena appeared wounded.
But fuck that.
She was going with Cassius to Airen?
When their Sisterhood was under attack?
Melisse had been injured?
“I should have known you’d be one of those. One of the weak ones who’d grow addicted to cock,” she spat.
“Enough,” Cassius growled, and Serena’s gaze sliced to him.
“You may lead her around by her twat, but not me,” she hurled at him.
He appeared like he was preparing to attack.
Which meant Serena braced to defend.
But Elena put her hand on his chest and he visibly relaxed.
Disgusting.
The both of them.
Utterly pathetic.
“We can only wait long enough for a raven to return sharing Melisse’s condition,” Elena said. “And any further news from Mother,” she went on with her ridiculousness. “A day, at most two. But you must understand why I have to go with Cassius to Airen and do it without any further delays.”