Page 176 of The Stolen Crown

The Ever King tried to hide it, but I caught the subtle twitch to his mouth. Erik Bloodsinger adored the lot of us, even if he refused to admit it.

“Since returning from the mortal isle, I’ve reflected a great deal on my court, my crew, and those I trust.” Bloodsinger held Tait’s gaze for a pause. “Harald was a lord because he was Thorvald’s brother, wretch that he was. By birth you are not my brother.” A muscle throbbed in the Ever King’s jaw. “But in every other way you are.”

At my side, Tait shifted, clearly unsettled by the sudden direct regard from every gaze in the room.

Alistair approached the table after Bloodsinger waved one hand. The king pointed at the scroll. “I’ve already spoken to the house lords and ladies, and you’ll find their marks of agreement on this parchment.”

Tait watched as Alistair unrolled the scroll. “Erik, what is this?”

“You are more than first mate of the Ever Ship, cousin.” Erik did not meet Tait’s eyes. “You are a lord of the Ever. There are none with more loyalty than you. From my earliest memories.”

Tears burned behind my eyes. I gripped Tait’s hand when he took the scroll in his other. He kept scanning the words as though he could not quite understand.

“As I said, Lord Heartwalker,” Alistair whispered. “Only one from Harald’s line deserves the title.”

“Gentle tides,” Sewell shouted.

“Aye,” said Gavyn. “I agree with Daj. This is the right move, Heartwalker. And long overdue.”

“I, for one, wholly agree,” my father said. “The boy certainly deserves the grandest of titles.”

I snickered and squeezed Tait’s palm until he looked at me. “You deserve this, Tait.”

Tait’s forehead creased. “I don’t want to sail another ship but the Ever Ship.”

“I wouldn’t let you,” Erik said. “There are only five noble houses. The king has always been the head of the House of Kings, but I want you to be the lord of the House of Kings. You remain as first mate on the ship and in this palace.”

Tait blew out a rough breath. “I do not know what to even think, cousin.”

“There isn’t anything to think. It makes little sense why others I trust have a seat at council but you do not. It changes now.” Erik rapped his knuckles on the table, drawing our attention once more. “That’s not all. This is a decision Livia and I discussed at length, and it is why we invited you all here. Grandmother”—Erik gestured to Narza—“the crown.”

The Lady of Witches rose, Tavish at her back. Spellbreaker carried a large wooden box with a gold latch in his arms.

Inside was the blood crown of the Ever made from fine gold with a touch of crimson from the blood flowing through each point.

“We all know the spells surrounding the crown make it impossible for anyone save a true heir to wear it.” Erik touched one of the points. “For centuries, it was believed the blood crown would only pass to the fiercest and most brutal of kings. This is the reason the crown did not always remain in one bloodline. It was why Thorvald fought so hard to craft his heir into a fiend. Perhaps I am, for the crown chose me.”

Livia took hold of Erik’s palm, giving her king a feigned look of annoyance. Erik Bloodsinger was a fiend, but the best sort. A man who killed to protect the few who held his heart.

The Ever King studied the crown for a drawn pause. “The queen and I desire to change how the crown passes on.”

“What do you mean?” Gavyn tilted his head.

“I have learned a great deal from our recent unity with earth fae. I have seen how their titles are passed on and honored in their bloodlines. I have learned through our own battles that it is not who is cruelest, it is not who is without feeling, who deserves to lead. The blood crown ought to be carried by those with unwavering honor and loyalty to their hearts, their folk, and this kingdom.”

Erik glanced at Livia before he faced the table again. “I have asked Lady Narza to refashion the blood spells within the crown. She assures me she has the strength to do it. From now on, I wish the mantle of the royal house to pass on, heir to heir, because of merit, because of wisdom, because of our value to our kingdom. Not based on how much fear we bring.”

“Heir to heir? Do you mean the blood crown will remain in your bloodline?” Avaline asked.

The king nodded. “If we’re in agreement and any heirs earn it. With the new spell casts, they can’t be cruel, tyrannical asses.”

A few chuckles rippled down the table.

“Tell them what else we’d like to change,” Livia said, voice soft.

Erik lifted his chin. “Should I meet the gods, the blood crown remains with my queen, then any heirs I might be honored to have with her. But we want the whole of the royal house to fall into the line of succession.”

Tait stiffened when his cousin looked his way.