Page 93 of Degradation

Philip squeezed my arm in warning, but I could do little to curb what I was feeling. The queen was slowly killing the children in front of us.

The girls lined up before the scaffolding as Brandle and Edmund climbed the steps, and the Cryer took his place.

“Ungrateful people of Adele, your attempt to usurp your rightful ruler has failed. Look upon the former princes and know that the rebellion stops here.”

Another man roughly forced Edmund onto a stool and looped the rope around his neck. Brandle stepped up on his own with calm dignity.

The queen smirked.

I fisted my hands and reminded myself why I needed to remain in control. How close had I been to hurting the tracker who’d come for me? Though there was no glass nearby, there were towers tall enough to crush us, and too many innocent people stood within the confines of the courtyard.

A scuffle broke out in the crowd. Philip swore under his breath, and I turned to see Eadric captured between two guards. He fought mightily as he was dragged toward the front. Another scuffle broke out to the left, and I saw Daemon and Darian do the same.

“I know you are here,” the queen called out. “Know that these maids will die.”

She looked at Daemon, Darian, and Eadric. “Or perhaps you are one of these three. Speak now to spare the other two. If you are not among these three, I will know and begin killing every female present until you are found.”

The crowd's emotions escalated, stifling the air as mothers wept and held their daughters, even as I felt relief that the queen had no notion of who her guards had claimed.

“If these men you believe are the rightful heirs truly cared about their kingdom, they would speak out, name their rescuer, and spare the innocent, would they not?” the queen demanded.

A crow flew overhead and settled on the wall. It tilted its head and scanned the crowd.

I touched my energy to it and asked for its help.

It took flight and swooped low toward the scaffolding.

“False Queen!” it cawed. “Foul Queen. Lies and death are what you bring.”

It pulled out of the swoop to return to the wall.

The queen’s hand flicked toward the bird. I saw the glint of a small knife before it fell from the sky. Several women screamed and cried. I touched them with my energy and calmed them.

“Do you think your tricks will impress me?” The queen’s gaze swept the crowd and landed on Eadric, Darian, and Daemon, who had almost reached her. “Do you think lies will cause the people to rise up and save you?”

She laughed and flung her hand out toward Eadric.

Metal glinted.

Eadric’s shock flared as the blade shot toward his heart.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

He is mine!

Rage and fear roared out from my well, and the air in the courtyard exploded with multicolored particles. The knife remained locked in place, a scant breath from piercing Eadric’s chest. One by one, I pried the guard’s fingers from his arm.

The queen’s gaze darted around the courtyard as people gasped and fell to their knees. Getaina and the other casters remained on their feet, along with several people too stunned to move.

“Where are you?” the queen yelled.

The green lines of energy connecting her to the girls flared. The children paled and staggered.

I sent my love and determination toward them along with my intent.You’ve given enough. Let what was taken return twofold.

The queen cried out as the lines of energy changed from green to a blinding white, seen by everyone present.

“No!” she howled.

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