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I turn to my brother with ice in my veins and a scowl on my face.
Yes, brother. Two can play your little game.
The coward quickly turns away from me, not wanting to feel the depth of his own treachery.
“My sister was training in the Blackwood Forest and unable to be found until now.” He cuts me off with his lies.
Not this time, brother. I fake a puzzled look. “You must not have tried very hard, brother. Your guards found me just fine when they requested my presence in court.”
They will know the truth and decide for themselves how fit you are to be king.
“Let’s not bicker in front of the people of IronHaven, Princess. We have much to discuss,” he whispers to me under his breath. My grandmother grabs hold of my arm, pinching it tight with her boney fingers.
I jerk my arm away from her, disgust coating my tongue.
“Sit down,Princess. Your heathen is showing,” she seethes. I take a deep breath, trying to control my emotions. When I look to my guard, they give me a slight nod, telling me to do as she says.
I step back to my chair and flop down in a very unladylike manner. She looks at me with such loathing in her eyes, it causes a chill to run up my spine.
My brother continues as if I’m not even here.
“My first order of business as king is to declare monthly tax collections from all the houses in IronHaven.” The whispers in the room grow louder, but Rami ignores them.
“We have seen how well this worked while my father was away, and I’ll be writing it into law following this session.” There’s a roar of complaints rising through the air. My face turns down with disgust.
My father would not have wanted this for his people. This is everything he was against.
“My second order of business is to build on long waiting alliances.” I sit up straight in my chair as the unease of his words settle over me.
What alliances does he speak of?
“The Kingdom of Morose has waited patiently for the princess to come of age. King Naveen of the house of Tregaron is ready to take a queen. After much deliberation, we’ve agreed upon the terms. My sister will be wed when the king arrives at Windemere. She will be the Queen of Morose. Long live the Queen!” Ramiro shouts with an echo from the crowd.
Terror sweeps over me.
The King of Morose is a known tyrant throughout all the realms. His reputation precedes himself.
Father would never have agreed to this union.
Jumping to my feet, I fly to my brother’s side. “And how did King Naveen come to know of the king’s passing before me? Or was this your plan all along? Father did not make such alliances with him. This is your doing!” I shout.
“Mind your tongue, woman!” my grandmother shouts from beside us. The crowd goes silent as they watch the argument play out.
“What did you do, Rami?” I whisper, silently pleading with my brother to think about what he’s put into motion.
My eyes linger on my brother, then sweep to my grandmother, who looks pleased with herself.
“What have you done? Where are Father’s bannermen? Why is court being held without them? Have you plotted against our own father? Your king?” I question, and the look in his eyes tells me all that I need to know.
Ramiro and my grandmother had something to do with my father’s death.
There’s no denying it.
His eyes instantly fill with sorrow, but his words are not his own. For they are hers—the woman who played a part in her own son’s demise.
I look at the queen dowager. “You should be ashamed of yourself. He was your son!”
“Keep quiet, girl. I know nothing of what you speak of. The king died of natural causes after being injured in battle.”
