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I hold the sword up, unable to stop my arms from shaking from its weight. In one motion, Malek swings his sword into mine, causing it to fall to the ground.
“Pity,” Malek says. “It seems you can’t manage a sword,princess.” He tosses his own sword to the ground and smirks. “No matter, I’ll kill you with my bare hands. Or maybe I will take you captive. Maybe I’ll take you as my bride. Wouldn’t that be rich? Another Starling queen bested by her king.” He looks to Jordy again. “What do you think I should do with her, huh? She has fire in her belly. I like them feisty.”
I pull Gram’s match from my chemise and the dagger from my sleeve. I move closer to Malek, who’s still leaning over Jordy with his teasing. He bends down and spits in Jordy’s face as I strike the match on the dagger’s flintstone blade, setting it aflame.I wish to free my kingdom oftyranny…
“Remember what I said, boy?” Malek says. “I told you to bring help if you ever faced me again.”
I step up behind Malek. “He did.”
Malek turns into me, my dagger’s glow lighting his shocked eyes. I drive my flaming dagger into his heart before he can react, and he falls to his knees and then flat on his face, a pool of blood collecting at his sides. The soldiers’ cheers fill the cold morning air.
“Long live the queen! Long live the queen!”
I pull Malek’s raven feather from my chemise and allow it to fall on his exposed cheek. My oath fulfilled, I run to Jordy’s side. He tries to sit up, but I insist he stay on the ground. “I need to tend your shoulder, my love. Please don’t try to move.”
“You had a special dagger, a trick up your sleeve?”
“Literally, my love.”
He tugs me down to meet his mouth, the kiss soft on two sets of lips still clumsy and trembling.
“You are indeed a queen.”
I set to work on Jordy’s shoulder as a few soldiers approach me.
“What will you have us do, your highness?” a soldier asks.
“Here, take these.” I pull some matches from my pouch and hand them to the soldier. “Make a celebration fire in the courtyard and summon my people. Fly the banners of House Starling. Our days of tyranny are over.”
CHAPTER 26
Three days into my reign, Philip was given a hero’s burial for his unselfish bravery and courage when faced with insurmountable odds. He is the true reason I have my kingdom and I will never forget his sacrifice. I was a little worried that the palace dwellers would view me as an insurrectionist, but their love for my mother and grandparents has replaced all doubt. A Starling as a ruler was what they truly desired, and the idea of Malek becoming their king left knots in their bellies according to the palace squire on my first day in the palace. Those little secrets spoken in dark places have come to light. I am glad to have a part in healing their hearts, and their bodies.
My new apothecary is already under construction. I can no sooner live in a castle without healing than a fish can live in a riverbed with no water. It is highly unorthodox, a healer queen. But I can think of worse titles, and I will always be here for my people, no matter their need. The people are pleased to call me healer and mage. My first order of business was to declare that magic is no longer forbidden in Timberness. I am still learning to wield my magic, and I hope others with the gift can find theirs as well.
And my cottage will not remain empty either. I had my guards locate young Collette and Tomas. My cottage now belongs to them. No more living on the streets, and no more empty bellies. I will have rations delivered to them weekly. They should be focused on schooling and child’s play, not starvation and cold. They will be free to wish and dream. Life is truly beautiful, and now they can experience its worth. The light knocking on my door pulls me from my thoughts.
“Come in.”
Jordy joins me in my bed chambers. “I’ve come to escort you to your coronation, my love. By the way, you look beautiful.”
I gaze in the looking glass. I am wearing my mother’s coronation dress and pearls, thanks to the old family paintings and the trunk with my mother’s personal effects the palace scribe hid away for years. I hope I make her proud. I smile and take Jordy’s extended elbow. His other arm is in a sling from his shoulder injury, but he is healing nicely.
“You look quite fetching yourself, my love,” I say, brushing a small piece of lint away from his sleeve. “Are your parents here?”
“Everyone is here. It’s like a dream for us all, one of our own being the queen. You are a legend, my love. I’m so proud of you.”
I know my cheeks are pink, but I do nothing to hide their heat. I will probably never get used to being a queen, and that is quite fine with me. I have my Jordy and my friends and a mended kingdom after years of long struggle. We came out on the other side renewed.
It is all any soul could wish for.
“Shall we?” Jordy says again.
“We shall.”
He leads me to the throne room. My coronation awaits.
Jordy joins Sir Victor in the massive room after I am seated on the throne. I look about the room, familiar faces all around. I spot Master Burgess and he gives me a wink. Sir Victor smiles when I look into his face. His legs are healing nicely, but he is still using a wheeled chair that he complains about daily. He’ll be himself in no time, the bravest general the kingdom has ever known. I spot Treena in the crowd. She lowers her head when she catches my gaze, and sheepishly looks up again when I continue to watch her. She bows her head and I reciprocate and give her a genuine smile, to her grand surprise. The past is the past. And I am leaving it there. But if I hear of her torturing another poor soul, I will place her in the stocks for good measure.
