Page 98 of Degradation

“I asked the Guard as we arrived, and one assured me she still weeps in her cell. She received a just judgment for her crimes from the just caster who freed us.”

She knelt on the floor and bowed her head to me. “I pledge my loyalty to Kellen and the princes in an equal monarchy.”

The rest of the room slowly followed suit. I met Brandle’s remorseful gaze and shared the reluctance he and the other princes felt. Accepting the rule was a heavy burden—one we would not be able to walk away from until we assured the people that the kingdom was once again at peace.

Wait for me, Eloise,I thought.

* * *

I inhaled deeplyand patted the horse I’d ridden to the edge of the Dark Forest a farewell. How many days had passed since removing the Foul Queen? Seven? Twelve? I could no longer remember.

One of the guards led the horse away, and as I faced the forest, fear and regret consumed me.

The small bursts of multicolored particles that floated in the air gave away my inner turmoil. Arms wrapped around me from behind, and I leaned into Brandle’s comforting embrace. He didn’t speak or ask what troubled me. He already knew. They all did.

Over the last few days, our lives had fallen into a routine. I was never alone. One of the brothers remained with me at all times. And we shared everything—all our thoughts and fears. There were no secrets between us. We were one.

Garron had spent hours with me, poring over all the Foul Queen’s gruesome spells, learning what she’d done to ensure anything that lingered could be undone. While we read, the others led with their presence. Edmund and Eadric had worked with the Guard, ensuring their loyalty and skill. Liam and Brandle had taken turns in the throne room, maintaining a presence throughout the day to hear any issues brought to the attention of the crown by nobles and the common people alike. Darian and Daemon had toured the city, speaking to merchants and tradesmen to learn what we needed and what we could offer other kingdoms. They purchased surplus from merchants using the gems from the caves and distributed what supplies they could to those in need.

The time we’d spent hadn’t been in vain. We’d helped Adele and its people settle into a peaceful existence and had announced our intent to reestablish the trade route to Drisdall. It wasn’t a lie, but it also wasn’t our main reason for standing at the edge of the Dark Forest.

“Are you ready?” Liam asked, joining us and taking my hand.

“Very.”

Brandle kissed the top of my head and released me.

“Then clear our path, Love,” Liam said.

I opened myself to the forest. Each tree and bramble pulsed with energy. With little effort, I consumed the energy of all plant life within the width of three wagons.

“Incredible,” one of the guards breathed as I walked forward onto the sunlit bare earth.

Taking the energy I’d gained, I reformed the dirt into white cobbled stones. Embedded in the stones, I left my intent. No beast made of magic could walk this road.

My kings walked by my side on the path wide enough to accommodate us all. Step by step, we left the guards and Turre behind.

The trees disappeared before us, and cobbles appeared in our wake. Though we moved quietly, our presence attracted the beasts. They gathered in the shadows, watching…waiting. The soft sounds of their passage were broken with an occasional growl in the otherwise silent forest.

We paused midday to rest on the newly created road. Daemon held me in his lap while Eadric fed me.

“I like this,” Liam said, watching me relax into Daemon’s hold. “It’s been so long since we could breathe easily.”

“Do you regret it?” I asked. “Agreeing to rule?”

“Not yet.”

I understood what he meant. He would regret it if accepting the crown cost me my father or my sister.

“Regardless of what we face in the future, I believe we made the right choice for the people of Turre,” I said. “If there had been one decent noble interested in ruling, I would have supported them. Why didn’t Philip offer?”

“Loyalty,” Brandle said. “He cared for my parents and believed in how they ruled. He deeply believes the throne is ours by birthright.”

“And you proved it was ours through your actions,” Eadric said, giving me a quick kiss.

Daemon nudged him back with his foot. “Feed her or surrender her food to Darian.”

Eadric made a face at Daemon and fed me my next bite.

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