Page 97 of Degradation

“And with her power, she is also the most likely to take the Foul Queen’s place,” the man said. “I have no wish to grovel before another power-hungry mistress. When I am king, that will be my first ruling—all casters will be banished from Turre, just as they were wisely banished from Drisdall.”

Gasps rang out in the room, along with a swell of indignation. Not all of it was from the casters standing with me.

“And what else would you do when you are king?” I asked.

His gaze swept over me. “Even with seven sons, the previous king wasn’t able to hold his kingdom. I wouldn’t stop until I’d sired twenty.”

His wife, who’d stood supportively behind him, paled. I could feel her dawning understanding and anger since she’d passed her child-bearing years.

“Those in favor of banishing all casters from Turre and watching this man make mistresses out of any young miss who catches his fancy, say aye,” I called.

Silence met my words, and the nobleman’s face flushed scarlet.

“I dearly hope that we settle the matter of the crown today so I can sever my marriage to this unfaithful man,” the woman said quietly. Her expression changed to shock, and I immediately soothed her as the man’s face heated.

“You’ve spoken your intent truthfully, and your peers have rejected your proposal,” Brandle said. “Let the next person step forward.”

Five men spoke before they realized what had happened.

“You cursed us,” one of them fumed.

“What you see as a curse, the people of Turre would see as a gift after being ruled over so harshly by a monarch with hidden intent. Who here wishes the spell to be lifted? Who here would rather not know the true intent of the next ruler?”

Again, silence answered Brandle’s call.

“Then let us hear your truth,” the nobleman demanded angrily. “How would you rule?”

“Preferably, not at all,” Brandle said. “My brothers and I made a vow to return to Adele, remove the queen from the throne, and take her place. But since making the vow, we’ve gained something we want more than our birthright.” He looked at me, and I felt his surge of love and adoration. “Kellen, the one who freed Adele, is looking for help to free her sister. Help I no longer believe she needs.”

I realized he was right. With the knowledge I’d gained, I was certain I could face Maeve and lock away her powers as I’d done to her foster sister, Spyra.

“By Kellen’s leave, we will return to her family and never return to Turre again.”

Disbelief surged from the nobles as each of the princes moved to stand behind Brandle.

“You’d give up your birthright for a woman?” the first noble asked in disbelief.

“We would give up our lives for the woman we love,” Eadric said.

“Without hesitation,” Liam added.

My love for them welled out of me. Their desire flooded me in return.

“And if she did not wish to abandon Adele, how would you rule?” I asked, touching Brandle with the need to tell the truth, though I knew he would regardless.

“Equally,” he said. “Eight thrones with an equal say in every decision. And we will not curry favor with the nobles but rather with all people. Anyone, regardless of birth, will be able to stand before the crown and be heard. Casters will not be turned away from our kingdom but welcomed and educated so they understand the responsibility of their gifts from the moment they emerge.”

My heart ached for the picture he was painting. And I was not the only one. Getaina’s pride in the princes swelled.

“Those in favor of the princes?—”

“And Kellen,” Garron said.

“—speak your favor now,” Getaina called out.

Philip lifted his hand and said, “Aye.” Lord Hamill followed. One by one, those who’d met with the princes agreed. So did many of the nobles who hadn’t fled when Spyra had been knocked down.

“I witnessed the truth of the Foul Queen’s fall,” a noblewoman said when the room had gone quiet. “Kellen locked away the vile woman’s power, and when I asked if she would hang for all the lives she’d taken—including my precious son’s—Kellen asked if the queen deserved to be released from the horror of her crimes. The queen was dragged away screaming.

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