Page 53 of Burning Crowns

Rose felt her own hand begin to tremble. She was grateful when Celeste took it and squeezed tight.

‘The people of Vask were gladdened to hear of the rediscovery of the Sunkissed Kingdom,’ Princess Ida said, her voice light and airy. ‘In Vask, we, too, appreciate great warriors and fine weaponry. We enjoy the beauty of a good blade, particularly the music it makes when it cuts down an enemy.’

‘Charming,’ Celeste muttered.

‘In Vask, every child has a blade bestowed upon them at the moment of their birth. As we grow, we learn to master it. To love it. Tobecomeit.’ As Princess Ida spoke, her voice grew higher in pitch. Then she stood and unsheathed a long silver sword that was strung across her back. ‘We do not possess the magic your kingdom has been blessed with,King Shen. But this talent comes from years of disciplined training. It is my honour to present to you the Sword Swallow of Vask.’

‘Thewhat now?’ hissed Celeste.

Rose hushed Celeste, her eyes pinned to the Vaskan princess as she began to spin like a top, round and round, her gown fanning out around her as she rose up on her toes. Then there was a flash of silver as she tossed her sword in the air. It flipped once, twice, then plummeted down towards the still-spinning Princess Ida, who tilted her head back and opened her mouth.

The crowd froze as the sword slid into her mouth and down her throat, until all that was visible was the fine black hilt.

Rose’s own mouth dropped open at the sight.

With one smooth movement, the Vaskan princess stopped spinning and pulled the sword from her mouth, presenting it to Shen.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

‘That was … certainly something,’ muttered Celeste.

Rose was too shocked to say anything at all. She felt as though she had tumbled into some kind of nightmare.

Shen took the sword from the princess, his eyes dancing with mischief. ‘What a remarkable talent you have, Princess Ida,’ he said, deftly. ‘Not to mention an iron stomach.’

‘I’ve never met a sword I cannot swallow, Your Majesty.’ The princess winked, and the crowd, drunk on wine and heady from being courted – because Rose was sure now that the entire Sunkissed Kingdom was being courted – cheered even louder.

‘I’d like to run her through with a sword,’ she said under her breath.

‘That was the most unsettling thing I’ve ever seen,’ remarked Celeste. ‘And I’ve seen King Alarik in leather trousers.’

Princess Ida returned to her seat, but Rose noticed how her gaze stayed on Shen. ‘She has some nerve.’

Celeste cleared her throat. ‘Perhaps we should tell Shen we’re here before someone swallows a lantern and goes up in flames.’

Before Rose could voice her agreement, a horn sounded and the crowd stilled in expectation. ‘And now we welcome Queen Adrienne of Krale.’

Rose craned her neck to get a good look at the queen, who she knew had been ruling the famously mountainous country of Krale since the tender age of thirteen. The queen of Krale had dark brown skin and large eyes. Her black hair was shorn close to her scalp and her gown was a sheath of pearly white, with a high neckline and long, billowing sleeves.

Unlike Princess Ida, Queen Adrienne did not curtsy, but stood straight-backed before Shen, presenting her hand for him to kiss. When he did, Rose felt as if she was going to cry.

‘I’m afraid in Krale we do not swallow swords,’ Queen Adrienne said, with a soft smile. ‘Nor are we famed for our fighting. But we do sing.’ She batted her long lashes. ‘I have heard it said that the sound of my song is so sweet it can make even the fiercest warrior lay down their weapon.’

Celeste snorted. ‘I’ve never heard such a tall tale. I bet she sounds like a constipated duck.’ Rose’s answering giggle was short-lived. When Queen Adrienne began to sing, she was sure it was true.

It was the most beautiful sound she’d ever heard, the queen’s voice so close to magic, Rose’s cheeks began to prickle. The queen of Krale sang in a language Rose didn’t understand but she could plainly tell it was a love song. There was longing in her voice, yearning in her eyes, and for the entirety of the song, she kept her gaze locked on Shen, who stared right back at her, entranced.

Rose’s heart ached. While she could carry a tune well enough and even play the pianoforte, she knew she would never be able to sing the way the queen of Krale did and mesmerize a man – much less an entire crowd – with such ease.

As Queen Adrienne’s song came to a close, the crowd stood silent as if they all shared one lung and were holding the same breath. Shen stood transfixed, too, and when it was over, he took Queen Adrienne’s hand and kissed it again.

‘Thank you, Queen Adrienne,’ he said, his voice thick with emotion. ‘That truly was a gift.’

Queen Adrienne grinned as she returned to her seat.

‘It wasn’tthatgood,’ said Celeste.

‘Then why are there tears in your eyes?’ said Rose.

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