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Koshka rushed through the door behind the dais, blood splattered over her white coat. Five bone soldiers in uniform followed. By the time the first shocked cries from the crowd echoed above the music, Helia and I were at their side.
“There’s fighting in the streets. Rebels,” Koshka said while the soldiers closed around us. The blood had drained from her face. Von Uster appeared as if out of thin air at my side. “The gates are open.”
“How?” I snapped.
“The gate guards are walking dead. They must have killed the ones stationed there without anyone noticing. As soon as someone falls, they rise again. They damaged the gate sigils and the Spirits joined. A few mages still stand. Priestesses and civilians fight on both sides.” Koshka stared back at the door. “Palace Road is soaked in blood.”
I should have prepared us better. Investigated the missing guards. Pieces moved in my mind, and I realized how few I had left.
“Bar the doors, send archers and mages to the third floor, and shoot down anyone who tries to get inside. Find someone who can repair the outer sigils.”
Surely, we had invited the Guild master to this farce of a wedding.
I marched out of the hall, needing to get to a balcony and see for myself. Everyone who could be spared had been sent to protect the food stored in Gateways. Had their intention all along been to force me to reduce my guard? Or was this a happy coincidence?
Von Mekeln placed a cold hand on my arm as I reached the stairs. I had not even noticed him following.
“You cannot leave the Women’s Tower undefended. If I may be so bold, take a force over there and complete the weddingceremony, otherwise the world will soon know that you let a few miscreants stop your own marriage. That Tal is weak.”
“That’s His Majesty to you,” Koshka said and slapped his hand away, uncaring for ceremony, then turned to me. “You are the king. For once stay where it is safe.”
“You cannot let the poor rule you,” von Mekeln said, raising his voice. We were drawing a crowd of confused nobles, including the newly selected councilors. “Surely there are enough men to protect the king while he crosses his own courtyard.”
Even von Uster nodded.
I was going to be a strong king, not hidden away like my father. These men and women needed to respect me. I owed it to Dasha. Had promised Eki a future. Had vowed to talk to Vanya when all had settled.
“We go now.”
Some cheered, but most stared blankly, unable to understand how quickly the night had turned. The musicians stopped playing. Shouts pierced the thick walls.
“Does anyone have the crowns?” I said, searching the white crowd around us and was met by shaking heads.
“Incoming,” Helia called.
People jumped out of the way as the glass crowns of Tal flew through the air, only to hover before me and Helia.
She waved me onward. “Let’s get this over with.”
Koshka reluctantly led us to the back door facing the garden that hosted my failed engagement party three months earlier. Five soldiers, full bone armor rattling, surrounded us.
Together, we stepped out into the night.
I turned back to von Uster as he made to follow.
“If I do not return, send a rider to the chiefs outside the walls. Tell them what happened and ask for protection. There are signed papers in my chambers confirming the girl they took in yesterday is my heir. They should be happy a woman will rule Tal again.”
Before he could answer, I led the others toward the lit windows of the Tower, a beacon in the night from which the divine ruler had once commanded Tal.
White Spirits illuminated the night and between them, unnaturally stiff shapes moved. The dead had arrived. The connection was not lost on me.
Ealhswip.We lived in a lorist’s tale.
The resistance was already organizing. Arrows flew at commander’s calls, the nobles who had once served in the Guard gathered fire and wind, fighting in their finery. Tal was old and bent but not broken.
In the stable, griffons screeched. I shouted for them to be let out. They could not fly in the dark—barely see—but we could not risk anyone torching the stable with them inside and even on the ground they were dangerous fighters. When we passed, Helia waved her arm, and the wide doors flew open, and irate griffons joined the chaos.
We reached the garden path, having run behind the defenders. Shame at not taking my place among them burned inside me, but something pulled me forward. They had chosen this night to attack. Perhaps to stop the wedding. If I fell out here, they would surely win.
