“I wouldn’t believe everything Taillefer told you, Your Highness. He has a way of improving the truth.”
Amarande nearly stood again to shout, every muscle in her body fueling her restraint in body and tone. “If you are alive you should be censured for the death of King Sendoa, via poison. Taillefer may no longer be with us, but he spoke this truth with his final breath, and I dare you to deny it.”
Renard bared his own teeth, smug. “I will deny regicide if you will.”
That was a jab as much as it was a trick, given Renard’s current breathing, pulsing form.
“Iwas the one Taillefer told.” Luca’s words were clear and direct, and could not be misunderstood. “And considering our history, I don’t believe he was trying to disparage you and improve himself.”
Though few in this room knew the horror of the still-healing wound Taillefer left, nearly all eyes fell to Luca’s chest as his words settled under their skin.
“My point is,” Renard replied, annoyed, “women shouldn’t be allowed to rule on their own. My mother is the prime example as to why—we sit here today, battle-scarred from heremotional whims.”
Amarande could spit. “The same could be said of you.”
“Yes, but I am a legitimate king and heir.” Renard tossed a hand in the general direction of everyone but her. “As is everyone else within this vote.”
Legitimate.
That word was meant to be a kick to the gut, and it was.
Amarande’s dreams for a new Sand and Sky had been unraveling since the moment they’d stepped into this tent, but now Renard intended to draw a blade across every stitch holding it together.
“What is your vote, Your Highness?” Asan goaded. He was nearly smiling. Again.
Renard simply drummed a hand on his knee. “Of course, I vote to keep the status quo. Ardenia must reassess its line of succession.”
Amarande caught eyes with Luca—there was only one move left.
If they wanted status quo, they would get status quo.
“If I cannot rule alone, Luca and I will wed. My throne will belegitimatein the eyes of this barbaric and idiotic law and our kingdoms will be joined.”
Silence followed and Amarande hoped that meant consideration. But as the stillness stretched, she realized they were simply volleying for who would give an answer for the majority. Of course, Zavier took up the mantle, his expression again drawn from Geneva’s collection. “I do not believe that to be the best solution, Your Highness.”
They’d planned for this. Expected it. Yet Amarande’s frustration over yet another stonewall of her rights—of Luca’s rights—buzzed beneath every inch of her skin, seeping to her very core, aflame and reeling toward full combustion. She leveled her displeasure upon Zavier, who was fast becoming the very face of the patriarchy in her mind’s eye. “Excuse me?”
“My kingdom barely survived the hours-long marriage between Pyrenee and Basilica,” he said, lining out exactly the objection she’d dreaded. “I do not believe the continent can handle such a union again.”
“I concur.”
“Pyrenee as well.”
“Two psychopaths with plans to murder each other arenot the norm,” Amarande insisted. “We are not that.”
“We are truly in love,” Luca added, “as we have proven time and again, publicly.” His eyes slid to Renard. “As you have just attested with your own opinion.”
Zavier ignored Luca, his reply pointed, searing, and directed to Amarande. “Your word is not sound, Your Highness. We just detailed your litany of lies moments ago—Renard, Ferdinand, yourself. All lies upon lies, birthed at the Itspi.”
“I—no. No, none of them weremylies. I have only told the truth. Luca has only told the truth.” Amarande’s eyes skittered to her love, who was nodding right along. “We love each other and would marry even if we were common folk.”
“Perhaps you should abdicate and do just that.”
Amarande whirled to glare at Renard, whose teeth were bared in the most satisfied of smiles. “What? No—”
“Your HighnessAmarande,” Renard interrupted, leaning forward, as if a confidant and not an enemy, “you must marry someone who isnotthe head of a kingdom or step back and reinstate your brother, as from what I understand, he is recognized asyourlegitimate heir.”
He was. In all the official paperwork that Joseba had insisted upon, Ferdinand would take control of Ardenia if anything were to happen to her.
