by Dove Winters
“I needed to get away for a minute. With so much conversation around me I couldn’t think clearly.” Liam leans against his hand on the same tree.
“I agree. I want to get this over with.”
“Me, too.” Liam looks at me. “I’m tempted to ask you to stay here, but I know you would heatedly disagree.”
“There is no way I’d miss this fight,” I say firmly, my eyes narrowing.
“Hence the reason I won’t ask. But I must stress the danger we’re putting ourselves into, and my great fear that something will happen to you.”
“As long as we get Vian out alive, it doesn’t matter what happens to me.”
Liam’s other hand swings up and comes to rest on the tree on the other side of my head, so he’s standing directly in front of me. “It absolutely does matter what happens to you! In my lifetime, I’ve lost two brothers and a father. My uncle has betrayed me and proved himself a traitor. My mother is dying of a broken heart. Ginny, you mean everything to me.”
“Liam…” I whisper his name. I’m not sure how he does it, but something about having him near me releases emotions in me I’m always so careful to hide. Like his very presence makes me more vulnerable. I look away, down to my feet, but his hand tilts my chin up again.
“Stop running away from me, Ginny,” he says, and my heart begins to pound in my chest. I feel like he can see straight through me, maybe he’s even reading my thoughts, and it leaves me in a state of intense helplessness. His head lowers and his mouth meets mine and my thoughts jumble. His lips taste like mead and home.
I reach out timidly and put my arm around him, resting my hand against his back, allowing him to come closer. Feeling his body brush against mine, with flashbacks of our time together in the alley jumping through my mind, I can no longer deny that I’ve wanted to be close to Liam for a long time now. I could never admit it to myself before; there were so many obstacles between us that the thought of being together made my head spin. But the path is clear now, and our kiss deepens. Pressed against the tree, I can feel his heart pounding against mine. His hands run down my back, envelope me in his warmth, hold me tightly against him. My thoughts are lost in a mix of heat and fire, and I feel dizzy and weak. I’m completely at Liam’s mercy and I have a feeling he knows it.
My thoughts have strayed to imagining what it would feel like if we were skin-to-skin when a twig snaps.
“Oh, geez! Sorry!”
Liam and I jump apart like we’re doing something forbidden. Ward is standing on the path, covering his eyes with his hands. Liam clears his throat.
“What?”
“I knew it was going to happen someday, I just didn’t really want to see it.” Ward peeks through his hands, sees we’re apart, and lowers them. His eyes stay down though. “Anyway, we’re getting ready to head out.”
“Okay. We’re coming.” I watch Ward hurry away. The heat that had risen to my cheeks is starting to melt away and the moment is lost. I glance over at Liam.
“Probably for the best,” he says, obviously following my thoughts. “We should be clearheaded right now.”
I’m anything but clearheaded right now, but I just say, “Yeah.”
Liam offers me a hand. “Let’s go get your brother back.”
I take it and follow him back to the group. As we load up to start the march to Benakarsa, anxiety replaces the hope I had been feeling before. Before we leave, I slip away and pull off the villager clothes. I replace them with the dress my father had made for me. It gives me the feeling of having him near me, and I need his strength to get me through this. I want Ulric to see me like my father wanted the people to, a changed woman, grown up and ready to rule.
I want Ulric to see me as a queen.
Twenty-five
We hear Benakarsa before reaching it. It’s as crowded as it was the day of my coronation. The castle gates are open, and mixed in with the crowd, I can see the green color of Etigan. Foot soldiers are everywhere, more so by the castle gate. I eye what used to be my home; when my father spoke to the people, he did so from the lower balcony. It’s right above the front entrance and just high enough that all can see it. Ulric will no doubt make his announcement there. Ferrant would tell him to.
On the way we stopped where Hassal knew of the fallen tree. He’s right about it being a battering ram; it’s the perfect size and strong. The men quickly cut away some of the extra branches and with tremendous group effort, they carried the log to town. Now it waits for us if we end up needing to use it.
We send out men to look for Rayner’s band, but they return without finding him; if they’re in the crowd somewhere, they may be in disguise. We do our best to stay off the main streets and remain undercover until we reach the castle wall. There we wait, keeping our eyes on those who pass. I’m wearing the villager’s traveling cloak I had before, holding it closed around me so it covers my dress and shields my face. Just another beggar in the crowd.
The sun is just beginning to make its descent when the soldiers begin to call the people in. As many as can fit in the castle courtyard file in, spilling out into the streets, everyone straining to look and hear. We manage to slip in with the crowd so we’re standing just inside the entrance. We have a clear view of the balcony, and I can see Ferrant standing on it already, proudly wearing Etigan’s colors. His eyes scan the crowd and I warn Liam and Ward to keep their heads down.
A horn blowing quiets the crowd, and the doors open. King Ulric, dressed in his best and surrounded by guards, steps out onto the balcony. I can’t help but gasp when I see the young, handsome man at his side. Vian, wearing his coronation uniform, stands at Ulric’s left. Ferrant stands close to his right, and I wish I was an archer with good aim.
“My loyal people,” Ulric begins. I have never heard a crowd so quiet before. It’s as if not even a heart is beating. “I have gathered you here today to clear up the rumors, and to bring some sad news. Windem has yet again attacked on our land. This time, two innocent lives taken during such a happy time. Your own Queen Virginia, and my nephew, my own flesh and blood, Prince Liam, were struck down.” Ulric is forced to pause because a choking sob escapes Vian’s lips. He thinks we’re dead and it’s killing him. My heart breaks and I feel Liam’s hand on my back for support. We can’t act yet. Vian quickly composes himself and Ulric continues, his voice kind. “We are devastated with the loss of our family members. And in our grief, we must band together to stop this evil force before it claims another life.” Ulric takes a parchment from Ferrant and holds it up. I know it. “This contract was signed by your own Virginia, descendant of the Knight of Newrock, forever binding the kingdoms of Etigan and Newrock together. We face a strong foe in Windem. Alone, we will fall. Divided, we will die. Together, we will face our foe head-on, and we will come off victorious.” Thunderous applause and cheers erupt from the foot soldiers of Etigan. Some of the townspeople clap; most lower their eyes, unsure what to do. They’re frightened and angry, that much I can see. Ulric’s speech reeks with heartfelt agony and sincerity, and the people need to know he’s faking it.
Ulric raises his hands to quiet the cheers. “Newrock is a loyal kingdom and this announcement comes as a shock. But I will not lead you astray. I will welcome you to my fold as a shepherd does his sheep. If you don’t believe me, I have brought one of your own to show you. Your loyal Prince Vian.” Ulric’s arm encircles Vian’s shoulders. I tense up at the sight and find it hard to catch my breath. “Vian and I have come to an understanding. He is a fine young man, and he will work as a member of my court to give you someone to lean on in times when you have lingering doubt. Vian, my son, kneel before me.”
Ulric’s voice drips of warmth and kindness, but I’m beyond anger now. He’s putting Vian in a position to betray his kingdom and the crown, knowing that if Vian bends to his will, the people will lose faith in him. And Vian has no choice; with his family gone, he’s alone and facing certain death. Panic rises inside me. Vian can bow to Ulric and live, but he’ll fore
ver lose the faith of the people, and I know from experience what that feels like. I spin around, looking for a way to call attention to myself to save him from bowing. But before we can act, Vian steps forward. He faces the crowd, his mouth set in a grim frown.
“I have lost my parents and my sister in a matter of days,” he says. His voice seems deeper than the last time we spoke, thick with emotion. He stands tall despite the look of utter despair on his face. I’m immediately frozen in place, drawn to him. “Newrock is balancing on the edge of a cliff and about to go over. There is nothing I can do to keep it from tumbling into the sea.” Vian turns slightly so he can look at Ulric, but his voice rings loud over the crowd. “You may take Newrock, paint it green, and rule the people, but my family would not bend a knee to you. I will not bow to you. I am Newrock’s heir and I will not bow!”
I can feel the breath leaving my body. A true king to his core, Vian has defended himself and his ancestors while also signing his own death. Liam and Ward are exchanging excited murmurs with the crowd, but I can’t pull my eyes from my brother. His right hand has never moved from where it was on his leg and I can see why; he has my dagger.
“He’s going to try to kill Ulric!” I say quietly.
“What?” Ward says.
“Just help me!” There’s a ladder hanging from the castle wall. Liam crouches below it and I use his back as a stepping stone to jump on it. I fly up the ladder and, gripping the stone so I don’t fall off the narrow walkway, I fling off my cloak.
“Ulric!” I yell, all heads turning. Audible gasps go through the crowd in a wave. The Etigan guards and foot soldiers are instantly on alert. Vian runs to the rail, the excitement and relief on his face evident even from a distance. Guards hold him back as he yells my name. Ulric says something to a panicked-looking Ferrant, then turns to me and spreads his arms wide.
“Virginia! My new niece is safe!” he cries out, a slight tremor in his voice.
“People of Newrock, you’re being lied to!” I yell, ignoring his words. “It has come to our knowledge that Windem had nothing to do with the attacks on Prince Liam and myself, nor on my parents. Windem is not our enemy. But the man standing before you, the man sitting on the throne of Etigan, is!”
The crowd is in a frenzy now. People with young ones flee the courtyard. But most of them stay; they want to hear this as much as I want to say it.
“You dare stand before me and accuse me of such crimes? Where is your proof?” Ulric yells to me, the warmth gone from his voice.
“The proof is that it was your soldiers, our carriage guards, who attacked us wearing Windem’s cloaks. You, King Ulric,” I say with same sneer Hassal uses when talking to me, “have been plotting this from the beginning. And I’m willing to bet it started with your brother, the fallen king of Etigan. The true king of Etigan.”
I’ve gotten under his skin. Ulric’s face is losing the composure of the warm, loving shepherd he had worked so hard to put forth. I glance down at Liam and he nods to encourage me on.
“You wanted the throne. But you knew with Liam alive there was no hope of you getting it. So you murdered your brother, then plotted a convenient attack on your nephew. But somewhere along the line, you realized Newrock could fit into your plan, too. So you had to bring me in. The troubled one who would so easily be defeated. Well, you were wrong, Ulric. I will not be so easily defeated. The people will not stand with you!”
“I have a signed contract! Alive or not, you signed over your right as queen. These people belong to me!” Ulric is brandishing the parchment again.
“Then leave it to the people to choose.” I wave a hand over the crowd, trying to remain poised though inside I’m shaking with fear. The people are surrounded by Etigan guards and I’m asking them to risk treason by supporting me. But there isn’t a moment of hesitation. They turn their back on Ulric and drop to their knees in my direction. The whole crowd, from inside and outside the castle walls, is bowing to me. I’m so surprised I think maybe I’m dreaming.
Ulric looks furious. He storms up to the rail, still waving the parchment. “You cannot do this! You will be seen as traitors! We have a contract! This throne is mine!”
Drawing my sword, I straighten my shoulders and do my best to look him in the eye from across the courtyard. “Then I am here to dethrone you!”
There’s a second of silence as Ulric calculates his next move. Then, a startling sight. The guard standing closest to Vian draws his sword and swings. His blade neatly slices the contract in two; Ulric drops the pieces from the balcony as his other guards rush to protect him. The traitorous guard, now standing in front of Vian, removes the helmet covering his face.
It’s Rayner.
Twenty-six
So many things happen at once. Ferrant meets blades with Rayner and a battle is started while Ulric flees inside the castle. Rayner takes down a guard that comes too near to Vian and I watch Vian pick up the fallen man’s sword. Looking so much like my father I think I’m seeing a ghost, he joins the battle.
Below us is chaos. The townspeople are scrambling to leave the courtyard and get to safety as the soldiers try to clear them out so they can close the gates. Liam and Ward are both engaged below me. Before they can secure the castle gates, a loud battle cry sounds from behind us. From my position on the wall, I can see the battering ram approaching with Borin and Hassal. They’ve torched the front of it so it’s on fire, and it’s an impressive sight to see them as they carry the heavy load into battle. The soldiers on horseback follow with swords drawn, and the archers with them are already taking aim at Etigan’s army.
“Ginny!” Liam yells to me from below. I snap back to my senses and hurry back down the ladder, dropping to the ground. No sooner do we move than the battering ram comes bursting through, throwing back the men who were attempting to shut the gates. They push through with the ram until they reach the stairs, then toss it onto the nearby foot soldiers coming to the attack. There’s now a clear path up the middle and we take it, rushing into the castle while Borin and the Thumbstole villagers carry on the fight outside. I glance up at the balcony as we run. Rayner and Vian have disappeared; I can only hope they’ve gotten away. Ferrant is still there and we meet eyes. His narrow, as do mine, and we both head into the castle.
Our entry doesn’t go unnoticed. A band of foot soldiers rushes the doors as we slam them shut. We barricade them, but moments later, the door is violently beaten.
“They’ve got our battering ram!” Ward says and I realize he’s right.
“We’ve got to keep them from getting in! I don’t know how many soldiers Ulric has in here, but we don’t need more.” I look around the castle behind us. We need something heavy that we can block the door with to keep that battering ram from breaking through. There’s nothing. The door is hit again and shudders.
“Ginny!” I spin around at the sound of my name. Marguerite rushes to me and throws her arms around me. We embrace, but then she quickly pulls away and curtsies. “I’m sorry! I mean…”
“Forget it. I’m happy to see you Marguerite.” I look behind her. A large number of the castle servants and maids are with her. “Is everyone here?”
“Those who can’t fight we helped flee out the back of the castle. They’re hiding beyond the castle walls and they’re safe. Milli has Monroe there.” Marguerite nods to Ward and he looks relieved. She turns back to me. “Those of us that can fight are here and ready to go.”
The door is rammed again, making us all jump. “That door won’t last much longer. A group of foot soldiers is on their way in and we need them to stay away from us so we can find Vian and Ulric,” I say.
“We can do that!” a kitchen worker says.
“This is dangerous. I’m not asking you to fight for me.” My heart sinks as I look around at the faces, some that I’ve seen all my life. People that took care of me and even covered for me when I was up to no good.
“We’re doing this because this is our home,” one of my mother’s mai
ds says. She hoists a large club onto her shoulder as she speaks; it’s a sight so surreal that for a moment I’m speechless. I’m not used to seeing our maids with weapons.
“We’ll cover you! Just get to Ulric and save your brother!” Marguerite gives me a slight push on the arm in the direction of the stairs. Snapping out of my daze, I lead Liam and Ward up the stairs as the door is again rammed and this time splinters. I can’t help but glance back. If I could stay and defend them all, I would.
We head back to the balcony room but it’s empty. From there, I suggest we run to the king’s bedroom, the most likely place for Ulric to be hiding out. We’re racing down a corridor towards the stairs that will take us up when we run smack into Rayner. After recovering from the shock, I rush to my brother and embrace him.
“Vian!” I pull away and hold his arms. “I thought I was looking at Father out there.”
“I’m just happy to see you alive!” Vian pulls me into an embrace again.
“Where is Ulric?” Liam asks Rayner.
“I haven’t seen him since he fled the balcony,” Rayner says.
“Let us worry about him. Vian, where is my dagger?” I ask.
“I lost it during the fight. But I have a sword.”
“Keep it, you’ll need it. Rayner, I want you to stay with Vian and get him out of the castle. Don’t go through the main entrance—there’s quite a fight going on outside,” I say.
“Sister, I can fight,” Vian says.
“I know you can, but you won’t! I want you safe. Go out the back and get away. And Rayner, see if you can find out anything about our armies. I’m afraid the people I brought with me may be slaughtered by now,” I say.
“Quite hardly. Have you looked out there?” Rayner asks. I shake my head. We duck into the nearest room, a small library, and look out the window to the courtyard below.
I had hoped that when the townspeople fled, they had returned to their homes and barricaded themselves inside. The fewer the casualties the better. But they didn’t stay in their homes. The townspeople are fighting alongside those from Thumbstole, forcing the Etigan soldiers away from the castle. They’re fighting with anything imaginable; a large woman in one spot is dodging sword swings from an Etigan foot soldier. She manages to get behind him and clobbers him with a cooking pan. The soldier goes down and the woman runs into another crowd where the people are struggling. I regret saying anything bad about the townspeople before; I actually like them a lot.
