*
We found Priscilla at the highest turret overlooking the keep.
She looked different somehow. Or perhaps this was who she was always intended to be.
Her spine was erect, shoulders straight. Dressed in a blood red gown and lace with her hair pinned up, long ebony locks curled slightly against the back of her neck, Priscilla looked every bit a highborn queen.
A queen with Darren’s fate in her hands.
She was deep in conversation with Quinn and two Crown advisors I vaguely recognized from my life at the palace in Devon.
As soon as we arrived, the others’ attention flitted to the stairs where my brother and friend supported me between their arms.
Quinn choked at the sight. “Ryiah—”
“Don’t.” My brother took a step forward, snarling. “Don’t you dare address my sister after what you did.”
“Quinn is here on my orders.” Priscilla’s curt voice cut off my twin’s reply. “He is not yours to command.”
Alex started to grumble, and my nails dug into his arm. I needed the girl to listen, and I wasn’t sure where we stood.
The future queen fixated on my face. “I had no idea you were awake.”
“Please.” My voice was strained—it had taken a great deal of effort to climb those steps, and I was dangerously close to collapse. “Can we have an audience… alone?”
Priscilla didn’t even hesitate. Apparently I had risen in her esteem after my latest trip to the infirmary. “Quinn, you, Fletcher, and Claudius are dismissed.”
It was the first time Priscilla had ever treated me with something I would almost deem as respect.
The mage and two elderly men scowled in passing, but I kept my gaze locked on the queen. I wasn’t sure I could acknowledge the former knowing he gave the orders to bury me alive. It might have been the best decision for Jerar, but it was also the reason Darren and I had nearly died.
I waited until they were gone. “Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.” Priscilla made a flippant gesture with her hand and smirked. “Now why are you three here? I trust it was not to congratulate me on my upcoming coronation.”
“It wasn’t.”
Priscilla raised a brow at Ella. “And I see you haven’t changed one bit.”
“You made my best friend miserable for years.”
“She was a threat. She understands. Don’t you, Ryiah?”
I nudged Ella who was busy spitting back a reply. “Let her be.”
My best friend ground her teeth but didn’t speak again.
“You are to be queen.”
Priscilla lifted her chin. “You aren’t getting my crown.”
“I don’t want it. I need you to pardon Darren for his crimes.”
Ten seconds went by and nobody spoke. I watched as her expression went from disbelieving to incredulous.
“You are joking.”
“It’s not what—”
“You were a rebel,” Priscilla sputtered. “You know what he and his family did. Quinn told me everything… Gods, Darren had patrols hunting you, Ryiah. I know you always were a little slack-jawed where that boy was concerned, but I should think the moment he tried to kill you, you’d finally grow some sense.”
“No!” My voice rose and Priscilla paused, momentarily stunned. “I mean, yes, Darren did most of those things, but there’s more.”
I proceeded to explain everything.
To her credit, the queen-to-be didn’t interrupt once.
Alex and Ella took turns retelling parts I had missed, or whenever I ran out of breath. It was a complicated tale.
When we finally finished, the three of us waited expectantly.
“I don’t know what to say.” Priscilla’s face was pale. “It’s too late.”
My fingers dug into Alex and Ella’s arms. “What do you mean ‘too late’?”
“I have to restore the peace.” Priscilla looked skyward. “I gave Horrace my word.”
“What about Darren?”
“Ryiah, you don’t understand.”
“I have done everything for Jerar!” Fury had me tasting ash. “Doesn’t that mean anything?”
“It does.” She cringed. “But it’s not my choice.”
“You are going to be queen!” Ella rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell us you can’t do it, Priscilla.”
“You, a highborn, should know better,” the girl snapped. “The other kingdoms are ready to cut Jerar off at its head! No one wants to sign a new treaty with a country that has already betrayed their compromise once. King Horrace is willing to pardon the rebels, but he is not willing to forgive the rest.”
“Horrace is not our king. He’s not even a part of Jerar! We helped him. Without the rebels, his country would be a wasteland right now!”