Page 131 of His Noble Ruin

I glanced back at the building. Any moment now, Cait should fire the pistol.

Cael recited a ceremonial poem before lifting the intricate gold crown from the queen’s head and placing it on mine. I gritted my teeth when he touched me.

Maeve narrowed her eyes at me before returning to her seat.

“I present Imperatrix Stroud,” Cael’s voice boomed.

The crowd clapped without much enthusiasm. Cael pushed a scroll into my hand, then sat down, leaving me alone at the podium. I swallowed and tried to keep my breathing slow, but my throat tightened and my heart fluttered. This was Cait’s cue. But the pistol didn’t fire.

Until then, I’d have to give a speech. I crumpled the scroll in my hand. Cael had written some nonsense for me to read. The crowd blurred and Graham’s face filled my mind like a song I couldn’t forget.

What would he say if he were here?

I had no idea.

But even if I did, I didn’t want to say it. I wantedhimto get his chance.

I smoothed out the scroll. “My loyal Cambrians.” My voice was strong and clear over the quiet square. “I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to serve as your queen. Sir Kendrick Irvine entrusted my ancestors with this profound privilege, and I solemnly promise to uphold his expectations.” My mouth was too dry. I swallowed again, but it didn’t get better. All I wanted was to hear that pistol. The words swam on the page and my thoughts fled, leaving me with nothing to say but the truth.

I looked up at the waiting citizens. “I know you are tired of words. So am I.”

Shocked gasps erupted from the balcony and the crowd below.

I smiled. “Let my actions, not my words, reveal my character.”

Before I could continue my unplanned speech, something grabbed my head, ripping the golden crown from my braids. I clutched at my scalp and spun around.

Maeve gripped the crown, her eyes wild. “This doesn’t belong to you!”

I backed away, wondering if this was her answer to my request, or if she was just crazy.

“Guards, restrain her!” my father shouted.

The men dashed forward.

“You won’t last one day as queen!” Maeve screamed, holding up the crown. “This should’ve been my son’s.” Her arm extended and the crown flew over the balcony and into the crowd.

Guards grabbed her and pulled her into the nearest doorway, her screams still echoing through the square.

Thank you, Maeve.

She’d be furious when I didn’t tell her what I’d promised, but I hoped she’d be desperate enough to keep my secret anyway. My eyes and ears finally returned to the present, reminding me that I stood in front of a buzzing crowd.

My father touched my shoulder. “Are you okay?”

I was still catching my breath, and my scalp stung where Maeve had ripped out my hair, but I smiled. “No harm done.”

I bowed deeply to the crowd before turning around and crossing the wide balcony, away from my father, past Cael, past the Immortals. My feet picked up speed until I was running.

An uproar filled my ears.

I darted through a doorway and into the halls, turning left and right until I rushed down the stairway and out the back. Cait met me at the carriage, climbing into the driver’s seat behind the horses.

“The plan,” I said. “What happened?”

“The queen’s threat was much more exciting than a few shots in the air. And it still gave you an excuse to run.”

“True, but how’d you know she’d do it?”

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