Page 327 of Born of Blood and Ash

No one spoke.

Not even Kyn.

My mouth dried, and my gaze flickered over those before me.Anxiety threatened to rise like the three-headed serpent I’d faced in thecavern, poised to strike and deliver venomous self-doubt.

Tremors coursed through my hands, and I started to look atAsh but caught myself.

I was strong.

I’d survived being considered a failure to myfamily and a kingdom that never knew my name. I’d survived my mother’sbiting disappointment and Tavius’s twisted cruelty. I’d survived thegods who had come to take me, and made it through Veses’attack. I’d survived an Ascension that should’ve killed me. I’d survivedKolis.

Most importantly, I’d survived myself.

I was strong.

I was worthy.

I could do this.

And I needed no one, not even Ash, to speak for me.

I had faith in myself.

Just as I’d had faith in Ezra when I told her to take thethrone—

Something clicked into place in my head that had nothing todo with the ancient knowledge I’d gained during my Ascension. There had been areason I’d asked that of Ezra. It was because she had earned it.

And I still had a chance to do that here before it became anultimatum.

My heart slowed, and my hands ceased trembling. Tensioneased from my muscles and chest. The warm hum of eatherreplaced it as I stepped forward. Ash’s hand firmed around mine for a heartbeatand then slipped away. I stopped at the edge of the dais.

Below me, Rhain turned to the others. His chest rose with adeep breath. “Bow,” he said, his voice booming. “Bow before—”

“I will not bow to that,” Kyn spat, and my headjerked to him. “A common—”

“Finish that sentence,” I said, my vision flashing betweengold and silver, “and you will find yourself running from that commonwhore once again.”

I heard a low, rough-sounding laugh from the direction ofwhere Thierran stood in the alcove as Kyn glared atme. I arched a brow. His nostrils flared, but he kept his mouth shut, at leastfor now.

“Anyway,” Rhain muttered, clearing his throat, “bow for theOne who is born of—”

“No,” I stopped him. His head swung toward me. I could feelAsh’s stare boring into my back. My heart was thudding again, but this time, itwas different. Manageable. “I do not expect any of you to bow before me.”

Rhain looked like he wanted to run headfirst into a shadowstone wall. The others before me looked confused or,in Phanos’s case, like he was thinking of nothing.However, I’d gotten Thierran’s undivided attention.

“Yet,” I added, catching the small smirk that brought outone dimple on Attes’s cheek. “I don’t want yourloyalty simply because of the essence coursing through my veins or because ofthe crown upon my head. Come to think of it,” I said, reaching for the crown. Ilifted it, snagging a few hairs. The gold gleamed, and I glanced back at Ash.He watched me, curious but not concerned. His eyes were a molten silver, heatedand bright. I looked back at those below. “I should not even be wearing thiscrown.”

Rhain closed his eyes, and Bele exchanged nervous looks withSaion and Rhahar.

Veses was still smirking.

Half-tempted to toss the crown at her face, I resisted theurge and willed it…well, I willed it wherever the crown was supposed to go whenI didn’t want it. As it vanished from my hand, I hoped I hadn’t sent it to theAbyss.

“I’m sure some of you were thinking that. Or have. I know Ihave,” I admitted.

A throaty voice dug into every last nerve of mine. “Well,” Veses drawled, “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

My head snapped to her, but I didn’t get a chance torespond.

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