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Gasps sound from every corner of the square.
“What is he doing?” I hiss.
Zander’s jaw tenses. “Seizing an opportunity.”
“But your king continues to lie and deceive, protecting a woman who came here to destroy us.” Atticus’s face is grim as he turns to Zander. “I fear you are leading Islor down a path it cannot recover from. I am sworn to protect you, even if that means I must protect you from yourself.” His voice is strong and commanding as it carries across the arena. I imagine it’s the same as on the battleground. “As King Ailill’s heir, and an heir to the throne of Islor, I cannot allow this foolishness to continue any longer. You will relinquish your seat immediately.”
“You have no authority to do this,” Zander says, his voice oddly serene.
“And what will you do to stop it from happening? Burn the city to the ground just so you can keep a crown you have no interest in wearing?”
Time seems to hang as the two brothers lock gazes and unspoken words pass.
“You may be firstborn, but you have proven that you do not belong up there. Not anymore. And I will do what you cannot.” Atticus’s chest rises with a deep inhale. “Guards! Seize her!”
Is this happening? Again? “He can’t do this, can he?”
Zander’s eyes shift to the soldiers moving in. A flash of shock skates across his face when he sees Boaz leading the charge. “Abarrane!”
“The Legion is with the rightful king of Islor, Your Highness.” She punctuates that with a fleeting bow.
Zander yanks his sheathed jeweled dagger off his hip and presses it into my hand, curling my fingers over it. To Elisaf and Abarrane, he orders, “Get her to her rooms and hold them off. I’m right behind you.”
I stare at the weapon in my palm until Elisaf grabs my arm.
“Come. It’s not safe for you here anymore.”
I clutch the dagger’s hilt as we run.
Everything seems to move in slow motion and yet warp speed. My mind is caught in a fog, the sound of blades clashing all around me. Abarrane and the Legion cut down charging soldiers as if they were farmhands swinging shovels. Somehow, we make it from our seats in the tournament square to the royal chamber stairs.
“Hold them off!” Elisaf orders to Abarrane, not slowing to ensure they listen. We dash for my suite.
Corrin is pacing around my sitting room when we reach it. “I was in the kitchens when I heard the yelling! There are soldiers fighting everywhere. Who would attack us like this with all the king’s army in place?” she demands, but her normally resolute voice carries a tremble.
“I’m afraid it is the king’s army that has attacked. And the commander is leading the charge,” Elisaf says, his lungs showing some strain.
“I didn’t know about the poison! Atticus knows that!” I cry between ragged breaths. I’ve never moved so fast in my life.
“It does not matter. He is using this to his advantage.”
Shouts ring from somewhere far below.
“I warned you, didn’t I!” My indignant rage bubbles. “I warned you both that he couldn’t be trusted, and you didn’t listen to me!”
“I did not think he would do this.” Zander charges in, a smear of blood that isn’t his own on his cheek. A haunting shout carries up the stairwell, one of agony, of likely a final breath. “Atticus has claimed the army. Some still fight for me, but they will not last long. There are too many. We need to leave now. Even the Legion can’t hold them off. Abarrane knows where to meet us.”
“Why is Boaz against us?”
“Because Boaz is for the crown, and he clearly no longer feels I am fit to wear it.” He nods toward my dress. “Change out of that, quickly, unless you feel like running in it.”
Corrin and I rush to my closet. Her fingers work frantically over the hooks and buttons. I peel off the delicate material, leaving it in a heap as I don my tunic and pants.
Zander appears in the doorway just as I’m yanking on my second riding boot. Corrin is on her knees, furiously tying the laces. “Are you ready? We need to get out of the city immediately. We will meet Abarrane out near Eldred Wood.”
I curse. “I need to go to the apothecary first.”
“For what?”
