Page 144 of Cursed Crowns

They came to a stop before the quivering Arrows, this once righteous mass of bloodthirsty insurgents now sopping and shivering at their feet.

“Today, you have proven yourselves traitors to the throne,” said Wren. “You burned our city, and for that alone, we should let you burn, too.”

A cheer went up from the witches.

Rose lifted her hand to silence them. “But we believe that will only light another dangerous spark. If we show you the same hatred that you carry in your hearts, we will only be adding to the poison festering in this country.”

“We believe in a better Eana,” said Wren. “A stronger Eana. A united Eana.”

The rain began to peter out.

“We believe in an Eana where witches and non-witches live side by side,” Rose went on. “Where you can take your sick child to a healer witch and know they will get better. Where you can sleep soundly in winter knowing your crops will still flourish, where our warriors will fight for you and not against you.” Wren squeezed her hand, strengthening her words, as she continued.

“We believe in an Eana where witches can walk freely in the streets, without having to mark their doors in fear or hide who they really are. We believe a peaceful Eana is a more powerful Eana.” The storm cloud was breaking apart, silver strands of moonlight filtering through the gray. “Today, my sister and I choose to show mercy. To offer an olive branch instead of a noose, so you will know it was not the Protector who saved you. It was the witch queens of this kingdom.”

Wren raised her chin, a challenge in her voice. “Now we ask you to show us that you are worth saving. Stake your loyalty to this country, and let it flourish, as it was always meant to.”

Silence.

The Arrows stared at the twins, like they were only just seeing them for the first time. The witches were silent, too, waiting. Wary.

And then, from the sopping masses, Captain Davers stepped forward, fear and regret warring in his eyes. He dropped his sword and fell to his knees. “Queen Rose, the Merciful. Queen Wren, the Gracious. Forgive me.”

One by one, the Arrows cast their weapons aside, and knelt.

The full moon broke through the clouds, casting the twins in its silver light. Rose closed her eyes, taking courage in their ancestor’s closeness.Thank you, Eana.

“Nice speech,” said Wren under her breath. “But please tell mewe’re still going to punish Davers for that mutiny.”

Rose snapped her eyes open. “I may be merciful, but I’m not an idiot.”

Afterward, when the wind had retreated into the trees and the moon was holding court in a clear sky, Rose invited any witches who were willing to walk the battlefield with her and tend to the injured. Not all of them were happy to help the fallen Arrows, and Wren had disappeared entirely, but Rose made it her mission to stay out until every last drop of her magic was exhausted. Only then did she retire to the bustling great hall.

“Now you truly are a queen,” said Grandmother Lu, winking at Rose over a generous goblet of wine. “I had a good feeling about you.”

“I think I need to work on my healing strand,” said Shen as he wandered over to her. “I’m too easily distracted.”

“It will come,” said Rose, letting her hand brush against his as they stood in the middle of the hall. “Give it time.”

He smiled at her. “Queen Rose, the Merciful. It suits you.”

“And what about you, King Shen?” she asked. “What ever happened to Feng and Kai?”

His gaze flitted toward the desert. “They’re stewing in my dungeon, as we speak. I suppose they’re waiting to find out what kind of king I’ll be... Shen, the Vengeful... Shen, the Lenient... Shen, the Handsome...”

“Shen, the Modest,” teased Rose.

“Shen, the Ravenous.”

Rose giggled. “Well, that makes two of us.”

“Come on,” he said, pulling her away from the crowd. “Let’s go tothe kitchens. Celeste’s got a bottle of wine down there with our names on it.”

Rose went gladly, smiling at the buzz of chatter in the air. Anadawn had never been so full before. The trill of conversation, mixed with the smell of Cam’s chicken soup and freshly baked bread, filled her with a rush of joy. It felt hopeful, this moment, where peace dwelled, as new and fragile as a baby bird.

It felt like a promise for the future.

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