“It’s your turn to leave.” I launch myself at her, and we crash against the side of the stage.
She writhes and squirms, clawing at my face and neck. We roll against the stage, and I use the momentum to slam her head against a wooden post.
She shouts and staggers back. Stunned, she touches the back of her head and stares down at the blood smearing her palm.
The crowd waits behind her, roaring with anger from the cruelty they’ve suffered at her hand. Ivy feels them at her back, and her limbs stiffen and eyes widen.
“I belong here.” With a fierce yell, I barrel into her, shoving her backward with all my might.
The crowd descends upon her, their shouts of fury and revenge drowning out her screams.
I swipe the mud from my face and turn back to the chaos onstage.
Kane has wrestled the sword from Alderic but remains locked in a battle with the king to stop him without hurting him.
My gaze swings to the guards, who force Marion and McDougall to their knees next to the guillotine, the lunette already cradling Queen Lockhart’s neck.
Four’s face is scarlet with effort, tendons and veins bulging against his neck with the pressure of controlling so many for so long.
I sprint up the stairs and toward Four, my steps suredespite the slippery planks. He’s too concerned with who he thinks are the real threats to notice me.
With my remaining strength, I tackle Four.
Blue magick sparks around me, singeing my hair and flashing hot against my skin before we smack onto the stage in a cloud of extinguished magick. We grapple, his hands trying to push me off, but I hold on, my grip unyielding.
I don’t need to beat him—I just need to distract him.
“You think you’re a hero?” he spits.
“No,” I grunt, a lazy smile lifting my cheek. “But I know one.”
Forever my knight in shining armor, Kane comes to my rescue in an instant.
I release my hold on Four and roll to the side. Kane lunges forward, the dagger in his hand. I hear the tear of flesh and the wet gurgle of blood before I look back.
“Your reign of terror is over,” Kane growls.
Four’s body convulses once, twice, then goes still, leaving only the patter of the rain and the muffled shouts of the crowd.
Kane pulls me to my feet and wraps me in the strength and warmth of his arms. I bury my face in his chest, inhaling sweat and pine as the queen’s voice rises, calling for order. I don’t listen. Right now, all that exists is us—me and Kane—and the fact I’m finally back in his arms.
Thirty-Four
Three Weeks Later
The Empress won’t be ignored. I’ve kept her with me ever since returning to Towerfall, and today she might as well be shouting, she’s vibrating so fiercely against my chest. I press a hand over the card tucked in my bodice, trying to calm the frenetic energy radiating from it, but it only seems to intensify as Kane and I walk through the grand gates of the palace, now wide open for the celebration.
The front courtyard is transformed, alive with color and sound. Maroon banners outlined in gold and embroidered with glittering pentacles flutter in the breeze; tables covered in meats, cheeses, pies, breads, and fruit border the wrought iron gate decorated with fresh floral garlands.
Kane walks beside me, his hand reassuringly claspingmine. We jolt to a stop as a toy horse on wheels speeds out in front of us, and a line of kids rushes by, giggling after it.
The air is filled with the joyful laughter of the people of Pentacles, and it’s wild to think about the impact Four had on the kingdom. Without him here, the people are thriving, back to the way it was before King Lockhart the Second died and Four attached his magick to his son for power.
I’m not sorry Four’s gone, and I’m not sorry about Ivy. I only wish I hadn’t been the one to throw her to the wolves.
Kane squeezes my hand as if he can hear my thoughts. Sometimes I think he can. I smile up at him, and he pulls me close, pressing a kiss to my temple. The warmth of his lips against my skin sends a comforting wave through me.
As we weave through the bustling crowd, we’re greeted with grins of thanks and nods of appreciation. The shroud of despair and grime that once clung to every corner of the kingdom under Four’s dark influence has lifted. Now there are rosy cheeks and deep laughs, clean clothes and the distant bang of hammers as homes and businesses are repaired.
