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But then I realize that people are beginning to kneel, in a slow, rippling outward fashion, the way they do for King Harristan. And then I realize what they’re saying. Long live the king.
I put a hand against the warmth of his cheek. The cheek he shaved this morning because he didn’t want to disappoint his brother. I brush a thumb along the smoothness of his jaw to remind him of it. “You’re going to be a great king.”
My dear brother. I keep thinking of the last words you said to me when you left Kandala. “Be here when I get back.” Cory, please forgive me. I’m so sorry I won’t be. Harristan’s letter is thirty-five pages long, but it takes me forever to read beyond the first few lines.
Quint wrote me a letter, too, but his is short. My dearest friend, you will make a fine king. I hope you understand why I couldn’t leave him alone during his finest hour.
My brother is dead. My best friend is dead.
Harristan orchestrated it to protect me and the people, that the villains died in the same terrible explosion that took out most of the palace. I have no one to punish, no vengeance to chase, no way to ease this pain.
I’ve heard statements from both Thorin and Saeth, and it’s given me the barest glimpse of everything my brother went through in my absence. I was barely able to hold it together when they told me about his nights as the Fox, and how he was injured by the night patrol.
I immediately think of Quint, and my heart leaps for the briefest moment. But of course it can’t be Quint. He’s dead.
My brother said quite a bit about Saeth and Thorin and their loyalty in his letter. I’m not sure how to address any of it yet.
I drop into the chair in front of the hearth. It’s barely more than embers now, and I shiver. I didn’t even cry like that on Tessa, and despite everything we’ve been through, I can’t quite believe I did it to Lochlan.
“I’m the king now, Lochlan.” I say this flatly, without any emotion. “You can’t order me to—” “I can hold you down and force you, and we both know it. I just don’t want to tangle with the man out there. Now take it.”
“No, you idiot. I’m on your side.” He pauses. “I can stay. If you need me to.”
“You taught me to read while figuring out a way to keep us alive, then ended their war and took out Rian’s biggest rival. I think ruling Kandala might be easier.”
“You know—it would make Karri feel better, to stay here for Tessa. So she wouldn’t be alone. Especially if Olive leaves.” “For Tessa, then,” I say. “And Karri.” He puts out a hand. “I suppose we’ll have to put up with each other a little longer. For their sake.” I clasp it, gripping tight. “You’re learning already.”
But he’ll ask questions that no one else would dare to voice, or say things no one else would dare to utter.
I also don’t mind when Baron Pepperleaf comes to pay his respects, and Lochlan tells him he should start packing for the Hold.
“I am here to call on Mistress Saeth, if she is receiving visitors,” I say. “I have strict instructions from my brother to visit her, in her home, every week.”
“Your brother was a very good man, facing a horrible time. He had to make terrible choices. I am so sorry he’s gone.”
Corrick, you hid everything that you are. No more hiding.
I look at Mistress Saeth. “Would your husband’s heart be able to take a promotion?”
There is much work to be done, still. But the hours would be better.” “It would take me out of your personal guard,” he says. “I know,” I say. “But if I am to rebuild, I need to do it with people I can trust. The position is yours if you want it.”
Again, I wish for moonlit paths and the mask so I could be an outlaw instead of a king who has to lock himself away for endless meetings and arguments and interminable loneliness. But then I realize I don’t need to wish for anything at all. I reach out and take Tessa’s hand. “No,” I say to Thorin. I look down at Tessa, then brush a kiss along her knuckles. “It’s a beautiful morning,” I say to her. “Would you care to go for a walk?”
Corrick and I walk among the people every day.
Often we’re joined by Lochlan and Karri, or Olive and Ellmo—who seem in no hurry to return to Ostriary.
There are still rumors that King Harristan was conspiring with Consul Sallister to poison the people, but word has spread that the king and Palace Master sacrificed themselves to stop the poisonings and save all of Kandala, so as time passes, Harristan is viewed as a hero in most people’s eyes, not a traitor.
At first, people look at our guards and keep a safe distance—but it doesn’t take long for rumor to spread that their new king is at ease among the people.
A more potent rumor is that their new king was once an outlaw who secretly helped the people because he was powerless to stop the corruption in the palace. This one seems to stick and grow. They love the mystery of it. He’s confronted with it all the time.
But it’s Olive who says one day while we’re walking through the market in Steel City, “The Outlaw King! Your Majesty, I had no idea I was negotiating with a secret rebel.”
But the Outlaw King sticks somehow, and we begin to hear it often.
“If the people think I’m one of them, I welcome it. The elites could do with a little humility.”
He misses his brother so much. He misses his best friend.
Everyone wants something from him. Everyone wants to pledge their “loyalty,” and for the first time, I find myself turning a bit cynical.
“I meant I could ask you to marry me.”
It’s not like when I was simply Prince Corrick—” “Oh yes, when you were simply Prince Corrick. Truly the simplest time of my life.”
“I love you,” I say. “Of course I’m going to say yes.”
But then he draws back, and I blink in the firelight of our manor bedroom, and he’s the king trying to hold a country together, talking about marriage and the pressure to create an heir and poisoned children. I’m just Tessa, a girl who fell in love with him.
“Tessa, you helped me negotiate a peaceable treaty with Ostriary. You helped me see the ways I could be a better King’s Justice. You’ve stood by my side throughout countless attacks. When you were trapped on Ostriary, you took action to help the people. Even when you believed in Rian, it was his conviction that inspired you, and seeing that inspired me. Truly, how could you be a better political ally?”
He smiles. “There’s no obligation. There’s no better choice.”
Do it because you want to. Do it whenever you’re ready.” Emotion flickers in his eyes, just for a moment before he blinks it away. “And when you have a ring,”
He catches my hand and turns me back around. Without hesitation, he drops to one knee. There’s a ring in his hand, and a determined look in his eye. “Tessa Cade,” he says, “I’m ready now.”
“When my father was committed to the Hold, his fortunes reverted to me,” she says. She shudders. “It feels like blood money.” “It is,” I say. “That’s why I don’t want it. I want you to take it, and I want you to put it to use wherever it will have the greatest effect. All of it.” I go completely still. It’s Karri who gasps. “Perhaps you could start rebuilding homes in the Wilds,” Olive says. “I’ve seen some of the destruction.”
We stare at each other, and I remember something Quint said to me, the night I met Laurel. Don’t let them make you cynical, my dear.
“Tessa, my dear friend.” Karri reaches out and puts a hand over mine. “You are going to make a great queen.”
“Your Majesty.” I’m still not used to it. The title tugs at me in a way that hurts. I wonder if it did that to Harristan after our father died. I wonder if it will ever stop.
“You’re not making a fool of yourself. I rather liked it when you told Baron Vannerling to go stick his head in the watering trough if he needed to cool off.” Lochlan smiles.
“Cleaning privies? No thank you.” I raise my eyebrows. “The role of King’s Justice is open.” He stares at me.
I need someone I can trust, but who would be willing to stand firm when we differ on matters of importance. I had considered one of my brother’s guards, but I don’t know that they would contradict me when necessary.”
“I’m not sure I could find another person in the kingdom who would say, ‘Shut up, Cory,’ directly to my face.”
“I wouldn’t be like you.” “I don’t want you to be like me. That’s why I’m asking you.”
I smile and turn away from his door. “Get used to servants,” I call.
