Page 53 of Crownless King

The air sang with the swish of a blade cutting through it.

The queen staggered back with a gurgling noise trapped in her throat, Voron’s sword piercing her chest. Red sparks of Nerifir iron flashed along his blade, poisoning the queen’s blood.

Voron yanked his sword out, and the queen fell backwards, across the dead body of her husband spread out on the bed.

“Sparrow.” Voron rushed to me. “Are you hurt?”

He grabbed my shoulders, scanning my face.

I swallowed hard, staring at the dagger on the floor. If it wasn’t for Voron and his quick sword, that thing would’ve been in me right now. I’d be joining Tiane in whatever hell he’d departed to. But there was not a scratch on me at all.

“You saved me,” I exhaled, barely able to move my lips from the horror still gripping me. “I’m fine.”

Cupping the back of my head with his free hand, he pulled me into his chest. “Thank gods.”

“You saved my life,” I repeated into his hard breast plate.

He kissed my hair. “A small repayment for everything you’ve done for me, little bird.”

With one arm around my shoulders, he wiped his sword on the bedspread before sheathing it in its usual place on his back. He then leaned over and ripped the golden circlet from Tiane’s head.

It was not the same crown that King Herane wore in the book. Tiane had it modified to fit under his antlers. He’d removed the tallest spikes and had an opening cut on the back.

Instead of putting it on his head, Voron lifted it high in his hand.

“The Sky Crown is mine.”

The courtiers in the room got down on one knee, followed by the guards and Voron’s men.

“Long live the king!” Their voices blended into one.

I bowed my head, too, sinking into a deep curtsy. “Long live the king.”

There was no place for any confusion or uncertainty anymore.

The Sky Kingdom had the one true king.

ChapterFifteen

SPARROW

The next afternoon, Alcon knocked on the door to Voron’s former living room that was now mine. The new king gave me his entire suite.

“Lady Dove and Lady Libelle are here to see you, Lady Sparrow,” Alcon announced.

I was glad to hear their names, glad to have company because even though I stayed in Voron’s rooms now, Voron wasn’t here. I spent the last night alone with Alcon, Farion, Raine, and Zinfir, some of Voron’s most trusted men, who took turns in the sitting room as my personal guards.

“Thank you, Alcon.”

“Should I get Alacine to bring you tea?” he asked, giving me a pointed look. My bodyguard was far more versed in palace etiquette than I could ever hope to be. He knew I should serve some refreshments when receiving highborn visitors.

“Sure. Thanks.”

With a bow, Alcon left, leaving the door open.

“Sparrow!” Dove rushed in. “Oh, Mother Goddess of Beauty, just look at this suite!” She danced through the spacious living room, her arms outstretched. “These are the nicest rooms after the royal chambers.”

The space was nice. It was just right for Voron when he was the second most powerful man in the kingdom. Now, however, he preferred different accommodations.

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