“And who are you to address us?” A familiar voice sounded in the crowd.
Erin. The traitor felt comfortable enough to raise his voice, but I remembered what he did. How he led the enemy clans through the mountain pass. And I was never going to forget his betrayal.
“I am the descendant of the red clan.”
“What about the queen?”
“The Red Queen is dead.” Alina clearly pronounced every word.
Gasps and protests sounded from every direction. Warriors looked at each other unsure what to believe.
“The queen died many years ago, but her death was concealed from you. To keep you obedient. The council has been lying to you all this time,” Alina continued.
“Why would they do that?” someone else asked.
“To keep several well connected families in charge of Talman.” Alina turned the other way and I could no longer see her face.
“That’s bullshit. I saw her. I saw the queen as clearly as I see you.” Erin looked at the people beside him.
“I saw her body with my own eyes. They kept her in one of the rooms in the bowels of the palace. They gave her her throne and chained her to the wall.” Alina shouted.
“You said she was dead!” Erin smirked.
“She was infected. Gods know how long they kept her there, surrounded by the bones of the human servants they were feeding her. But she’s no longer there. I killed her.”
Fire flickered in her eyes as she studied every face of the clan warriors who stood opposite her. Slowly, she sheathed her sword, and then her body rippled and shimmered. The carmin lines extended, weaving around her body, consuming her human form and exposing her beastly shape. The next moment, her dragon, with scales red as rubies, appeared in the clearing. An audible gasp rolled through the crowd. The scarlet dragon extended her wings and moved her head from side to side.
“The red clan.”
“The queen.”
“She’s telling the truth.”
“A red dragon.”
“Red . . .”
The Red Queen.”
Multiple voices sounded all at once.
“She’s a miracle sent to us by the gods,” Sage whispered beside me.
Alina stood silently, allowing the others to see her. Then her body started to change back, and I saw the familiar patterns of her coal black suit. Her bright hair swayed in the light morning breeze as she stood motionless, allowing the others to regain their senses.
“Are you saying that we should go against the strongest army in all of Talman just because you’re related to the queen?” Erin raised his voice, seeking approval from the others.
Alina unsheathed her sword and moved through the crowd. Everywhere she stepped, dragonborns moved out of the way, letting her pass. Finally, she stopped in front of Erin.
Erin looked up at my mate, and there was no confidence in his gaze.
Alina took her time, examining his face.
“Kneel before your queen,” she said quietly.
Then the crowd woke up from their stupor. Warriors shouted and shook their fists in the air, some extended their weapons and whistled.
“Kneel!” Alina raised her voice.
