Page 59 of Crownless King

What was he talking about? He knew I’d decided not to return to my world. He was the one who had asked me to stay.

Of course that all happened weeks ago, before he became the Sky King.

“This is our reward for her service to the crown,” he continued, looking in my general direction but still without eye contact.

Lady Lark sank into a curtsy with a serene smile on her beautiful face. “Your Majesty is benevolent and just.”

Others nodded approvingly.

I froze, unable to move or to tear my eyes away from the king. This must be a mistake, some ploy on his part. He couldn’t possibly mean it.

But Voron gestured to Alcon. “Get everything ready for Sparrow’s departure tomorrow—”

“No,” High Lord Pelargos interjected. “Today. Right now. My people will make sure she’s gone, as per Your Majesty’s order.”

I gasped, shaking. The royal guards moved my way, flanked by the people of High Lord Pelargos. I backed away from them, trying to hide in the crowd. But the crowd parted, shrinking back, as if I carried the plague.

There was no support from anyone. Even Dove and Libelle had been pulled away from me. Alcon was gone, too.

“No, please…”

The guards grabbed me, dragging me to the exit.

“Voron!” I screamed in desperation.

He couldn’t just let them take me. Not like this. Not without even saying goodbye.

However, he had already turned away from me and ascended the stairs to the royal throne—the place where he belonged.

“I did as you wished,” he said calmly to High Lord Pelargos. “I need your promise of loyalty. Now.”

ChapterSeventeen

SPARROW

Iscreamed as they dragged me out of the Throne Room. I kicked and fought them as they carried me to the nearest balcony. Two guards grabbed my shoulders as another one held my ankles. Their wings open, they leaped off the balcony.

Air rushed by me. Panic filled me, blinding me. I kicked and struggled against their grip.

“Get off me!”

“I can’t hold her. She’s like a fucking wildcat,” the guard gripping my legs complained.

“Get her down,” another one ordered.

Jerkily from the struggle, we all descended to the plaza in front of the main entrance to the palace. The royal guard, who appeared to be their leader, landed in front of me.

“Hold still, human,” he ordered sternly. “Or my men will drop you to your death.”

I yanked my arm out of their grip, but someone immediately got hold of it again.

“Then do it!” I yelled. “Drop me. Kill me. But I’m not going back.”

The leader tilted his head, giving me a curious look.

“You’d rather die than go home where you belong?”

I shook my head vehemently. “I don’t belong there. Not anymore. Chances are, I won’t even land in the time period I used to live in. And if I do, I have no memories of my life there. I don’t remember my own family if I ever had one. Taking me to the River of Mists would be the same as murder. You may as well kill me now.”

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