Page 50 of Queen of Stars and Shadows

“I’ll agree with that,” I say.

“Of course, if you’d like, I can crown you as king also.” The sorcerer’s pale eyes glitter.

“No.” I shake my head. “I gave up my royal title long ago when I took my oath as guardian.”

Sarielle turns away slightly, and I don’t miss the brief look of disappointment that passes across her face. Though I don’t remember it, I have the distinct feeling we’ve had this discussion before.

“As you wish,” Xinius says. “Sarielle alone will be crowned. The ritual will take place tomorrow at sunset.”

We work through the night to prepare for the battles ahead that will determine our destiny.

While Sarielle gathers a small contingent of palace servants to help her go through the city and spread news of the evacuation orders, I round up the warriors we’d released from the dungeons below the palace, a scant fifty or so who had survived the attack from Avonia the month before. Their bodies are gaunt frommalnourishment and their expressions haunted. But all men crave redemption and revenge.

By light of the moon, and under the watchful gaze of Astherius, I address the small crowd.

“You are all free now, and if you choose to leave this place, I will not stop you. But hear what I have to say before you decide.” I pace back and forth in front of them, my eyes scanning their faces. “The throne of Valaron was stolen by a traitor, someone who only seeks power, someone who is even as we speak expanding her conquest through the rest of Aureon. She defied the very laws of magic, utilizing power so dark it tore apart the fabric of our realm. Valaron may not survive. It may be too late for all of us.”

Murmurs ripple across the courtyard, but I raise my voice even louder, letting it echo across the stone.

“But you have a choice to make! You can hide and wait for the end. Or you can join me, and our true queen, and help us take back what is ours. And when I say ours, I mean all of us, not just the queen. Sarielle is kind and just, and she seeks peace across our realm. Help us make this last stand against our enemies, and even if we do not succeed, we will know that we fell as protectors of this realm, protectors of its people!”

This time, a small cheer rises up. The fear in the faces before me turns to hope. Doubt turns to resolution.

“Look behind me!” I gesture toward Astherius, who towers above me, half the height of the palace itself, dark and formidable. “Only a true queen could command a creature so ancient and powerful and cunning as this. A queen that is powerful and deadly. A queen to fight for, and a queen to die for. Let us send a message to those who challenge us that we will not go quietly. Let us vanquish our enemies and warn anyone else who may think they can claim what is ours!”

A roar of agreement rings out across the courtyard, and I feel a strange warmth in my chest. I have lived such a solitary life as a guardian, and now, on the steps of the palace I was meant to preside over, I realize there is a community here, a fellowship that I’ve missed out on all these years traveling the land.

I spend the rest of the night planning battle strategies with my tiny army, and when dawn breaks, Sarielle returns, looking weary but satisfied.

“The city has been emptied, and everyone is on their way to an encampment in the mountains a few miles from here. Except for those behind me.” She waves to a few dozen people in tow, a small smile on her face. “This group, while not warriors, has refused to leave, and bravely volunteered to help with the defense of the city. Healers, blacksmiths, builders, and others who can help us.”

I nod and wave to the scrappy group of people behind their queen. They enter the courtyard, and I introduce them to the warriors, and we set everyone to their tasks. Astherius flies back to the top tower of the palace since she seems to be making everyone nervous.

I reach out and take Sarielle’s hand. “You look exhausted.”

“No more than you must be.”

“Let’s at least get you something to eat. You didn’t have anything when the warriors ate earlier.”

“Neither did you,” Sarielle points out.

We wander inside and find the massive kitchen in the eastern wing of the palace. We’re lucky there’s still a store of food, and staff to cook it. Avonia had made the wise choice not to murder the people who fed her troops.

Sarielle introduces herself and gives orders for the next meal for all, as well as a feast for the evening ahead, something fit for a coronation. I swipe a small loaf of bread and block of cheese for the two of us, and we wander upstairs to the second floor,where we sit in the wide marble arched windows overlooking the courtyard. The smell of smoke and cooking meat wafts up to us.

“Here, eat,” I say, handing Sarielle a chunk of bread and cheese.

I watch as she begins, then take a bite myself. Such a simple meal, but it seems a luxury after everything that’s happened the last few days.

“Have you seen Xinius?” Sarielle asks between bites.

I shake my head. “No. He’s off being mysterious, as sorcerers are oft to do.”

“I wonder what he means about the coronation strengthening me,” she says, her brow wrinkled in contemplation.

“Well, he said the queen was tied to the realm. I’m sure it just tightens that bond. Making it more official.”

She locks eyes with me a moment, opens her mouth, and then closes it again.

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