Page 76 of The Realm That Falls to Her

“And if the challenger loses?” I asked.

“Then they forfeit the right to ever speak of the matter in relation to the accused again. They can never point their finger at that person, or raise the question of their guilt on that topic, for the rest of their lives.”

The finality of it was unnerving, but not as much as the fight itself. As I look at Ruskin now, standing tall and undaunted before the court, I know he’s stronger than he’s been for a while—with every benefit that his years of experience can give him, and still it doesn’t stop me worrying what he’s getting into.

“Very well,” Lisinder says. I think he doesn’t know what to make of Ruskin’s behavior, but has no reason to deny him. “Let us hear your petition.”

“I wish to challenge the following members of your court, for conspiring to engineer my death: Lord Turis Hailtorn, Lord Climent Falconside, Lord Dridan Hartflood, and Lady Brianna Clearglen.” Clearglen and Hartflood glare at Ruskin with open loathing as he calls their names, but Climent pales slightly.

Only Turis looks unchanged, his face unsettlingly blank as Ruskin accuses him of attempted murder. “But that is not all,” Ruskin continues, pausing to make sure he has everyone’s attention. “I also wish to accuse Lord Turis of orchestrating the murder of my father, Prince Lucan Hawkstooth, and the others for helping to conceal his crime.”

The court’s reaction to this revelation is vocal, with many of the Unseelie stomping their feet against the ground. Jasand, seated a few spaces away, leans over Destan to murmur at me, “I hope he knows what he’s doing.”

Lisinder’s yellow eyes brighten dangerously when Ruskin speaks Lucan’s name. They settle on Turis’s face, and for the first time I see a flicker of discomfort in the silver-haired fae. It’s clear from Lisinder’s glare that the king is wondering if this is true, and imagining what kind of fate he wants for Turis if it is.

“Your Majesty,” Turis speaks. “Though it is not a requirement of the petition, I am a respected member of this court, and believe that earns me the right to ask on what grounds—indeed, if there are any—Prince Ruskin makes these accusations.”

Lisinder looks between him and Ruskin. “It is not a requirement of the petition, but you may answer, Nephew, if you are inclined.”

“Lords Turis, Climent, and Hartflood each attempted to sabotage me during the battle of Cavalil. As for my reasons for believing they were involved in my father’s murder, I will keep those to myself, though I trust my information.”

I try to remain expressionless where I sit. Ruskin’s theory is based on what I reported to him. I don’t doubt Turis wishes Ruskin and me harm, I just hope we’re right about Prince Lucan too.

“And what about me?” comes a high, disdainful voice. “You can’t claim I tried to harm you in battle, Prince Dawnsong,” says Lady Clearglen.

Ruskin gives her a polite smile that seems more effective than any scowl. “No, but I do know you are close allies with Lord Turis.”

She curls her lip. “So you presume me guilty by association, then.”

A gruff voice cuts through the chamber. “And by association with Palikar, that idiot who made the moon orb used on Prince Ruskin on his last visit. I know you were a frequent customer of his, Lady Clearglen. Seems mighty coincidental.” Maidar’s leaning on a block of seats towards the back of the staggered rows, looking like he’s just strolled in. He told us about Clearglen’s connection with Palakar a few days ago when we warned Maidar of Ruskin’s plan to invoke the King’s Justice. When I asked why he hadn’t thought to mention it before, he just shrugged and said there wasn’t any point without more evidence. Since invoking the King’s Justice means we don’t need more evidence, he seems happy to show up and voice his theory for everyone to hear.

Lisinder’s hawkish gaze swivels towards Lady Clearglen. “We never got to examine my brother’s body after the wolf attack. The burial was all dealt with by the Seelie Court, so we couldn’t ever establish whether he had any strange traces of magic on him. But one can’t help but wonder.”

Lady Clearglen at least has the bravery to stare defiantly back at her king. We don’t have the evidence to prove anything and they know it, but we don’t have to—Ruskin just has to win the challenge. The thought obviously occurs to Lisinder too, because he brings his fist down with a thump on the arm of his throne.

“I grant Prince Ruskin’s petition. The challenge is issued.”

As the anticipation of the court rumbles around me, I don’t know whether to feel relieved or even more anxious. There was a chance Lisinder wouldn’t want to rock the boat, considering what Pyromey said about Turis having people’s ears at court, but I sense the successful battle with Evanthe has emboldened him. Still, now Ruskin must fight each of the four accused. I’m sure he’s more than a match for them, but four rounds of combat wouldn’t be easy for anyone.

“Your Majesty,” Turis calls over the din of stomping feet and enthusiastic shouts, his gray eyes glinting in a way that chills my blood. “We respect your decision, of course, but as Lords Climent and Hartflood both carry blood of the royal line, I’m sure they will be citing the right of kinsortus.” He stares meaningfully at the two younger fae, who abruptly stand.

“Yes,” announces Climent awkwardly. “We request to use kinsortus.”

“Damn it,” I hear Jasand curse, as the court is set abuzz again. It sounds like half of the Unseelie don’t even know what this means—so at least I’m not the only one in the dark. I hear Destan furiously whispering to Jasand.

“Kinsortus? What in the stars is that?”

Jasand looks grim. “An obscure combat rule that says any group challenged which contains members of the royal line are allowed to face their challenger together.”

“What kind of chicken-brained rule is that?” Destan mutters. “I thought you Unseelie were all about bravery, not being too afraid to fight one fae alone.”

“It’s meant to stop a monarch killing off potential contenders to his throne en masse. About two thousand years ago there were a few monarchs who used the King’s Justice as kind of a backhanded assassination system. Kinsortus gave them a fighting chance to survive.”

“And now it’s being used to protect people who happen to have the right blood,” I bite back. Trust Turis to think of it.

I look up to Ruskin, and he offers me a quick nod, letting me know he’s heard our conversation.

Lisinder waits for the noise to die down a little before he replies. He doesn’t look pleased, clearly aware Turis has outplayed us.

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