Page 95 of Degradation

He nodded, looking unconvinced.

“I will be well. I promise.”

“Can you stand?” Nodding, I accepted his help to my feet and turned to look at the dwindled crowd. Very few nobles remained.

“Most fled when Eadric knocked the queen?—”

“Spyra,” I said. “She was never a queen. Only a cruel tyrant.”

“Right. When Eadric knocked her down, they ran.”

“Is this a dream?” a woman asked, her hand reaching out to touch the dust still in the air. Nothing happened to her when she made contact.

“No,” I said. “It’s not.”

“The queen? What happens to her now?” the woman asked. “Will she hang?”

“Look at her,” I said, also turning to watch the woman. Though her hands were bound, she still pulled at her hair and wept in her madness. “Death would release her from the horror of her crimes. Does she deserve that mercy?”

The woman slowly shook her head. “She took my son. He was two. I never saw him again.”

“I’m sorry,” I said softly, feeling her grief.

Arms wrapped around me from behind. “Trouble, you damn near gave me a heart attack.”

I turned in Edmund’s arms and hugged him. “I felt you. I felt what she was trying to do. Are you all right?”

“I’m well. We both are. I’m curious why I have five sisters now, though.”

Garron giggled then clapped a hand over his mouth.

“Please tell me this spell will wear off soon,” he said from behind his hands.

“Before nightfall,” I said.

Daemon made a sad sound and fondled his breasts.

“I thought it would have been Eadric in love with his breasts,” Liam said.

“Nope,” Eadric said, dusting off his backside. “Only Kellen’s breasts mesmerize me.”

Philip cleared his throat, reminding us of his presence.

“Perhaps that is a conversation best left for the privacy of your bed chamber?”

“Apologies,” Brandle said.

“Think nothing of it, Your Highness.”

“Your Highness?” the Cryer said with a hint of derision. “What gives you the right to the throne?”

“Their character and determination,” I said before any of them could speak.

Then I touched my energy to his to search his intent. He’d needed very little persuading to follow the queen. He had craved the power and hurt people of his own free will. The maids in the palace hadn’t been safe from his unwanted attention.

With a thought, I conjured chains and bound his hands.

“What right do you have?” he yelled.

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