Page 30 of A Cage of Magic and Darkness

“What? A woman?”

“A princess. A future queen. Truly, he is a monster.”

“Or is that just what his father wanted you to believe? I’ll admit, he is not like us, but just because someone is different doesn’t mean they should be locked away for the whole of eternity.”

“He was plotting to have you and your mother killed.”

“Where is the proof of these allegations?”

Cirrus’s gaze shifted away. “Your father had someone with special talents. They were able to read Ruarok’s mind.”

I’m unable to hide my disbelief. “He had someone read his mind? That’s convenient. Who was this person?”

“I don’t know. No one would want to be outed as someone who has that kind of magic. No one would ever want to be around them again.”

“Or someone with that magic simply doesn’t exist, and it was just the king’s way of ridding himself of his problem son now that he had a new family?”

“You can’t accuse the king of lying, Princess!”

“I can’t accuse him of anything. He’s dead. So, we take the word of a dead king, who we already know had issues with his half Incubus son, and imprison a man for the rest of eternity, or we give him a chance.”

He shakes his head. “I want you to know that I don’t agree with this choice on any level.”

“That’s fine, Cirrus. I don’t need you to agree with my choices. I just need you to support them. Right now, we have more important things to worry about than my stepbrother. We’ve lost both our king and queen, and parts of the city have been devastated by the rot. Many of our people are without a home right now, and we have to do something to help.”

He ducks low as a mark of respect. “Yes, Princess.”

“I want you to call the heads of each position of Highdrift together in the Great Hall, so we can not only break the news of Ruarok’s return but also come up with a plan about how we’re going to handle the rot and the destruction it has caused.”

“Very well.”

I leave the library and head down to the kitchens. It’s morning now, and, despite having sent a tray of food up to Ruarok, I haven’t eaten anything myself.

I’ve been coming to these kitchens for years, nipping down to steal chunks of freshly baked bread and cakes when I’ve been peckish, but now there is a different atmosphere. Kitchen staff, who would normally have jested with me for taking the food, greet me with bended knee and lowered eyes. Their respect comes not only for the loss of the king and queen, but also because I am now to be queen. I find myself saddened by the thought. Everything has changed now.

An innocence has been lost.

The kitchen staff put together a meal for me, similar to the one I imagine Ruarok would have eaten, and I find a quiet place to sit and eat. Though I’m sure the food is excellent, I struggle to taste any of it. My thoughts are so crowded with all that has happened that I barely notice my surroundings or the passing of time. They flit from my grief for my mother, to the responsibility of becoming the new ruler of Askos, to the release of Ruarok, to how long it’ll be before the rot takes everything.

I finally realize I’ve been here long enough, and Cirrus will have gathered everyone in the Great Hall by now. I’m aware that I’m hiding down here, but I can’t stay hidden forever.

I take my empty tray to the kitchen and make my way to the Great Hall. Even before I enter, I can tell people are already there. The hum of chatter filters through to my ears. My stomach spins and swirls, and my heart beats too hard and fast. I clench my fists to my sides, and force myself to walk in, chin up and shoulders back. My wings vibrate in the air behind me.

As soon as I’m spotted, the chatter dies away, and thoseI’ve asked to be there part, clearing my route through to the thrones at the head of the hall.

Deliberately, I take the king’s throne—mine, now—and sit.

I take in all of those who’ve come here—Cirrus, Balthorne, Skylar, as well as the head of the treasury, the chaplain, the steward, the marshal, and so many others. All eyes are on me.

“Thank you for coming. I’m sure I don’t need to repeat the tragedy that has befallen us, and I believe Cirrus Planetree has already informed you all of Prince Ruarok’s return after his father’s death.”

In the small crowd, Cirrus gives a nod to indicate he has, but I watch as others shoot those next to them uncomfortable looks. Are they wondering why Ruarok isn’t here? Perhaps I should have told him of the meeting? I instantly dismiss the thought. I couldn’t have Ruarok distracting me, or anyone else, from the reason I’ve called them all together.

“I wish to go into the city,” I announce, “to give to those who need our help.”

Their faces all match—horror and disbelief.

Balthorne is the one who has the guts to speak. “Princess Taelyn, I strongly advise you against going into the city. People are desperate, and there’s no telling what they might do.”

---