Page 126 of Twin Crowns

Under the gaze of five hundred stunned wedding guests and far too many soldiers, Wren picked up her skirts and marched purposefully toward the altar.

“I hereby declare this wedding canceled!” she announced, just in case anyone had missed her stirring objection the first time.

The Gevrans stiffened in their seats. Rose was the only person in the entire Vault who looked happy to see Wren, with the exception of Tor, who was gaping at her with a mixture of horror and relief.

Ansel’s mouth bobbed open and closed as he struggled for words. “Who is...? Where did she...? How did...? I don’t understand.” He looked between the girls, back and forth, back and forth. “Rose?” he said uncertainly.

Wren clucked her tongue. “If you can’t tell the difference between your bride and her enigmatic sister, then I’m afraid you don’t deserve to marry either of us, Ansel.”

“ENOUGH!” Rathborne drew his sword as he marched up the aisle. “Get away from the princess at once!”

Wren lunged for Ansel’s sword, pulling it from its scabbard before the prince could even register what was happening. She spun as she hoisted it in front of her, staggering a little under its weight. “Or what? You blathering, troll-faced weasel.”

Rathborne snorted. “If you wish to intimidate me with your poorswordsmanship, you have already failed.”

Wren heard the whisper of steel behind her as Tor stepped forward. His sword appeared in the next heartbeat, a flash of silver in the corner of her eye. He angled it at Rathborne.

The Kingsbreath skidded to a stop. “Drop your weapon, Gevran. I am not the enemy here.”

Tor didn’t move.

Rathborne turned to Alarik. “Your Majesty, tell your soldier to stand down at once.”

Alarik cocked his head, watching the scene with glimmering fascination. “No.” He gestured between the brides. “Not until you explainthis.”

Rathborne’s eyes went wide. “What is there to explain? This girl is quite plainly awitch! Look at her!” He whirled to face the rest of the guests. “She has stolen the face of the princess. She has come here today to do us harm!”

The guests shifted uncomfortably. Some courtiers cried out in alarm. The Gevran soldiers drew their swords, waiting for instruction while their beasts growled at their feet. Rose stepped forward to speak, but Wren threw out her arm, holding her back. She had minutes—perhaps seconds—to seize control of the situation. She swished the sword back and forth. “Actually, Rathborne, I’ve only come to doyouharm. Everyone else is free to leave. Or watch, if you like. But one way or another, I’m ending this charade.”

Anika clapped her hands together. “What theater,” she purred. “And I was just beginning to get bored.”

Beside her, Alarik’s hands were steepled in front of his mouth, his gaze unblinking.

“Guards!” shouted Rathborne. “Kill this imposter at once!”

At the back of the Vault, six palace guards jolted into action. They drew their swords as they marched up the aisle, while four more inched around the side passages.

Tor didn’t even blink.

“Make sure to take her head from her shoulders!” snarled Rathborne. “This witch is nothing but an evil enchanter sent to twist our thoughts and—”

“Liar!” Rose ripped the veil off her face and marched to Wren’s side. “You have been lying to me my entire life! You have been lying to Eana for eighteen years, and you have the nerve to stand here today, under the eyes of your precious Protector, and lie again!”

The crowd had fallen stone silent, every pair of eyes now trained on the twins. The palace guards stalled, uncertain of what to do. Wren grabbed her sister’s hand, anchoring Rose as she came down on Willem Rathborne with the fury of a blazing inferno. “Youkilled our parents eighteen years ago.Youpoisoned my father in his bed and cut my mother’s throat!Youblamed the witches and sent us all to war! I am sick of playing along in your twisted games. Sick of letting you control my every move, my every thought! My sister might be a witch, but she is not a liar. She is as real as I am, and her very existence isproofthatyoulied! The only imposter here is you!”

Murmurs erupted throughout the Vault. Fear curdled into confusion as the truth was laid bare before them.

King Alarik’s smile was slow and menacing. “Perhaps we should have the witch instead of the princess.”

“Perhaps we should have both, brother,” said Anika.

“You foolish, addled child!” Rathborne slashed his sword through the air as if to fell the truth of Rose’s words. He spoke not to her but to the entire congregation, grasping desperately for their trust. “That girl is nothing but a plotting, scheming witch! She has clearly wormed into your head and distorted your thoughts.”

“No!” hissed Rose, taking a step toward him.

Slowly, imperceptibly, Tor inched forward, too. If they weren’t in the middle of a reckless standoff, Wren might have dropped her sword and kissed him right there in front of everyone.

The palace guards hovered awkwardly, no longer sure where to point their weapons.

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