Quilla placed a hand on her chest, just under her neck. She still felt naked without Garet’s locket there. It had never turned up. Dyle hadn’t had it, nor to the best of her knowledge any of the other Darkers she’d spent any time with. She’d enquired about all the other Darkers in the Palace arrested due to Barnol Friaz’s list. No locket matching the description of hers had been found with any of them. It had simply vanished.

She could have used it now. It always helped calm her down when she was anxious, nervous, angry, or sad. All she could do now was pace—which, admittedly, she did with the locket too, but she was reasonably certain she did less of it. Of course, if Garet were around, she wouldn’t do any pacing at all. But Garet was never going to be around again.

She forced herself to stop pacing, not far from where Rudiger was sitting along the wall, underneath the portrait of some former Royal Quilla couldn’t care less about. Rudiger was slumped over, his head hanging low.

It had been a week since Zandrue and Dyle had vanished. They could have ended up anywhere—the other side of the world even for all anyone knew. Quilla had no doubt Zandrue could take care of herself, and she was probably still alive, but it could be a long time before she made her way back here.

Rudiger knew that too, but he was understandably upset. Not knowing for sure whether she was dead or alive couldn’t be much different from knowing Garet was dead.

“They’re almost ready for you,” the herald by the throne room doors said.

Rudiger stood up and offered his arm. “You ready for this?”

Quilla took Rudiger’s arm. “Ready.” She wasn’t really. She wasn’t ready at all. She was not convinced the Queen would actually be civil with her, regardless of whatever promises she might have made previously.

The herald reached for the door handle. Two Palace guards took up positions behind Quilla and Rudiger. The herald opened the doors, and stepped in and to the side. “Lord Rudiger Fonivan and Quilla Steranovist!”

Quilla forced a smile and entered with Rudiger.

The throne room wasn’t packed, but there were a large number of people there nonetheless—courtiers and visiting nobles who had come in from Arnor City or across from Beldrum or even farther. The Royal family waited at the front, Gabriella and Pastrin to one side of the steps, Annai and Thilin to the other. Prince Malef stood back, away from Annai and Thilin. Quilla wished Cerus was here. He would want to see this, not be stuck in Lockanith, but at least Gabriella was here.

She and Rudiger walked to the bottom of the dais where the King and Queen sat in their thrones. They unlinked arms, Rudiger bowed, and Quilla curtsied.

The King nodded to Rudiger. “Welcome, my Lord.” He nodded to Quilla. “Miss Steranovist.” He stood up and came forward, holding out his hands. “My friends.”

Rudiger clasped one of the King’s hands, while Quilla clasped the other.

The King then motioned for them to turn around, and addressed the room. “My Lords and Ladies, we are here today for two reasons: one joyous, one considerably less so. As you no doubt know, we recently uncovered a group of Darkness Worshippers operating from within the Palace itself. We have only limited time, so I will not go into all the details of how these people were uncovered, tracked down, and arrested. However, I will say that these two people before you were instrumental in making all that possible, along with the Lady Zandromeda Armida, who was unfortunately lost in the fight to bring the Darkness Worshippers to justice. In particular, Quilla Steranovist risked her life and reputation to infiltrate the Darkness Worshippers. Without this courageous act, we would not have prevailed. As such, we gather here today to pay our respects to both these people here in front of you, and to reward them suitably.”

He gestured to Rudiger. “The Queen and I awarded Lord Rudiger Fonivan and Lady Zandromeda in private at an earlier time, but we would now like to make that public. I personally awarded them both with noble titles, so I now present to you, Lord Rudiger Fonivan.”

Applause and even a few cheers erupted around the room. Gabby, Pastrin, and Ned were amongst the most enthusiastic, but even Annai was amongst them. Quilla joined in.

The King allowed the applause to continue for a short time, then motioned for quiet. “It is also my pleasure to announce that the Queen and I will be personally funding the wedding of Lord Fonivan and Lady Armida, which will take place once Lady Armida has been found and returned safely, which is something we all pray the gods will deliver.”

There was more applause, which the King once again allowed to continue for a short time.

When the room had quietened down again, the King said, “At the time the noble titles were award, however, Miss Steranovist was still working undercover amidst the Darkness Worshippers. It is therefore my pleasure to award her at this time in front of you all. Miss Steranovist—Quilla—please face me and kneel.”

Quilla turned and lowered herself to her knees, which wasn’t the easiest thing in the gown she was wearing. Her heart was beating fast. She didn’t really want this—not without Garet—but she felt it was important nonetheless. Not because it was some sort of victory over the Queen—although that was nice—but important to honour Garet. He was probably looking down on her from heaven right now, smiling and laughing, ever so proud of her.

Tears ran down her cheeks.

A courtier approached, holding up a sheathed sword. The King drew the sword and lowered the flat to Quilla’s shoulder. “Quilla Steranovist, I bestow upon you the title of noble of Arnor, and with it all the rights and privileges of the nobility.” He raised the sword and lowered it to her other shoulder. Then he sheathed the sword and the courtier carried it away.

At a motion from the King, Quilla rose, and he kissed each of her cheeks.

“My Lords and Ladies, I present you Lady Quilla Steranovist.”

“Woo!” Gabby yelled, and Ned joined in.

Applause spread through the room, though it was much more reserved than what Rudiger had received. That wasn’t surprising. Quilla curtsied to the room anyway. Rudiger hugged her.

The King allowed the applause to die out, then spoke. “We have one final act to perform before we move on to today’s less pleasant activity. I turn things over to my beloved wife, your Queen.”

The Queen rose. She and the King kissed lightly as he returned to his throne. The Queen came forward, and took a deep breath. “My Lords and Ladies.” She paused and took another deep breath.

The room was silent.

“My Lords and Ladies,” the Queen repeated, “I have never been fond of Lady Steranovist. As you know, she was engaged to wed Prince Garet, and I was always opposed to that engagement. I am ashamed to admit I said many terrible and cruel things to Lady Steranovist, and I treated her quite abominably. For that, I…” She stopped again, and closed her eyes for a moment. “For that, I owe her an apology.” She turned to Quilla and held out her hands.

Quilla looked at the offered hands and hesitated. She didn’t really believe the Queen was truly repentant. She was just trying to save face. Still, refusing to accept the apology would just ally most of the people in the room with the Queen against her.

Quilla took the Queen’s hands.

“My Lady.” The Queen’s lips curled slightly at the utterance of the words. “I offer you my heartfelt apology for all the injustices I have ever cause you. I was wrong, and I know that now. Please forgive me.”

What a load of bullshit.

Quilla wished she could say that, and part of her was tempted to do so anyway, but she pushed the thought aside. “Apology accepted, your Majesty.”

The Queen smiled, leaned forward, and kissed Quilla’s cheeks.

Gabby cheered, and there was some applause across the room.

Then the Queen returned to her throne.

The King rose again. “I have one final thing to say. Lady Steranovist, my son, Garet, loved you dearly, and wanted nothing more than to marry you and spend his life with you. Unfortunately, he was taken from us before that could happen. However, I would nevertheless like to offer you a place in this family. Your marriage might not have occurred, but we will behave as if it did, and treat you as my honorary daughter-in-law. What say you?”

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Quilla gulped. She didn’t want this either—not without Garet—but what else could she do? She smiled as best she could. “Your Majesty, I accept.”

The King approached her and leaned in to kiss her.

Thunder rumbled in the distance.

The King paused, his eyes narrowing. “Strange,” he muttered. “It didn’t look like storm weather.” Then he kissed her cheeks.

This time, there was more applause.

The King spread his arms wide. “Lord Fonivan, Lady Steranovist, please take your places amongst your fellow lords and ladies while we attend to a much celebratory duty.”

Quilla curtsied to the King, then moved over by Gabriella, Pastrin, and Ned.

Gabby clutched Quilla’s hand. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

Thunder rumbled again.

Just what they needed. A winter storm.

The throne room doors opened and a small group of guards led Lidda Plavin into the room and down the aisle towards the dais. The King remained standing on the steps. They stopped a short distance from the bottom.

“Lady Lidda Plavin, ruler of Plavin-Tyl,” the King said, “you stand before your gathered peers here, accused of worshipping Night, the Lord of Darkness. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Lidda raised an eyebrow. “Say? Why should I say anything? You’ve made your decision already. Nothing I say can change that.”

The King nodded. “Very well. Then we can make this quick. We have the testimony of witnesses, including Lady Quilla Steranovist and Lord Rudiger Fonivan. Most notably, in his confession Lord Barnol Friaz labelled you a co-conspirator. There is ample evidence of your treason. Your family has been informed, and your brother Jamis, stands ready to take your place as ruler of Plavin-Tyl. Your sentence is execution by beheading.”

From the gathered nobles, Lidda Plavin’s mother cried out and collapsed into the arms of the noble beside her.

“Sentence will be carried out publicly first thing in the morning in Arnor City.”

Lidda fell to her knees. “Oh gods, I’m sorry. Please, your Majesty, they forced me. I had no choice.” There was little emotion in her voice. It was too dry. What was she trying to do? Mock them?

“I gave you a chance to speak already, Lidda,” the King said. “Your fate is sealed.”

Lidda lowered to her hands and knees, and crawled forward. “Please, your Majesty, I beg of you. I can give you more of them. There are others positioned across the continent.” She crawled up the steps to the King’s feet. “I can lead you to the Dusk Supreme himself. Please, just spare me.”

The King stared down at her as she kissed his boot. He scowled and pulled his foot away. “You brought this on yourself. Have some dignity.”

Lidda backed down the steps and sat up, wiping her completely dry face.

“Your sentence will go forward as planned.” The King stumbled, but righted himself. “In the morning, you will be beheaded at…”

“Father?” Annai called. “Your foot!”

Smoke was rising from the King’s boot. He stumbled back against the side of the Queen’s throne, and bent over, trying to remove the boot. Gasps spread throughout the room.

“Wavon!” the Queen cried, leaping out of her throne and gabbing the boot. She screamed and fell back, her hands blistering.

Annai ran forward. “Father!”

Smoke poured from the King’s entire body. His face and hands were red and blistering. His beard and hair burst into flames. With a scream, he fell over, the flames consuming all of him.

Annai screamed. So did many of the nobles.

Gabriella ran at Lidda, her hand reaching for the hilt of her sword. “Guards! Kill her! Now!”

One of the guards who had led Lidda in stepped forward. Gabriella flew backwards through the air, crashing into the far wall behind her. The guard then swept his arm wide in front of him.

Thilin, Captain DeSeloön, and several other Kingsguard rushed forward. The same guard stepped forward, and Thilin tumbled across the floor. The guard swept his arm in front of him again. Then, with his other hand, he grabbed DeSeloön’s wrist mid-swing of his sword. The Captain’s eyes went wide and he screamed as his skin pulled back and twisted. He kicked at the guard and punched with his free hand. He knocked the guard’s helmet off, revealing Lamaën. The Captain’s hair went grey and fell out. Lamaën’s hair darkened. DeSeloön’s eyes sank back in his face, and Lamaën’s skin became smoother and younger-looking. A mummified husk dropped from Lamaën’s hands to the floor.

Quilla put a hand to her mouth, bile rising in her throat.

There was mayhem in the rest of the room. Nobles and courtiers ran for the exit, stumbling over one another.

The Kingsguard only paused a moment at DeSeloön’s death, then swung their swords at Lidda Plavin. She rolled away from one blow and grabbed another sword as it swung at her. It didn’t cut her hand, though. Instead, the blade glowed bright red. The Kingsguard dropped it with a yell, and it fell to the floor, now just a puddle of molten metal.

Rudiger rushed at Lamaën.

A force hit Quilla in the face, chest, and legs. It lifted her off the ground and threw her backwards against the wall. Ned and Pastrin hit the wall beside her, and Rudiger slammed into Ned.

Quilla sat up, rubbing her head.

Lidda Plavin was standing now, Lamaën and the other guards who had led her in surrounding her.

The Queen and Annai were still on the dais, kneeling over the King’s burning remains. Kingsguard and Palace guards lay on the ground as well as some nobles and courtiers, though most of those had fled from the room. Malef remained standing off to the side, staring at the floor.

“Ezuna calls to me,” Lidda said. “She is ready. I must go to her. Bring my beloved.” She strode towards the doors, Lamaën beside her.

Two of her guards grabbed Malef, who didn’t resist, and dragged him after her.

Gabriella pulled herself to her feet. “To arms! Sound the alarm! Lidda Plavin must be caught before she reaches the dragon.”

The Queen stood up. “I want her dead! No waiting for execution. Kill her on sight!”

“You heard her!” Gabriella yelled. “Move!”

The guards began pulling themselves to their feet.

Gabriella strode into the middle of them. “Thilin, organise the Palace defences. We need to be ready if the dragon strikes.”

“On it!” Thilin said.

Thunder rumbled, louder and more sustained than before.

No. More like something roaring.

Oh shit.

Not thunder.

Quilla felt faint.

“Kingsguard!” Gabriella snapped.

The remaining Kingsguard in the room snapped to attention.

“The Queen, Princess Annai, Prince Pastrin, Lord Nedwin Friaz, and Lady Steranovist. They are your charges. You are to get them off Palace grounds and to safety. You will defend them with your lives. Understood?”

“Your Highness!” the Kingsguard responded in unison.

“Alhang Merrin, you’re in command until a higher-ranking officer is available.”

Hang bowed. “Your Highness.”

“Rudiger!”

Rudiger pulled himself to his feet, and rubbed his head. “Here, your Highness.”

“You’re with me.”

“Permission to fetch my sword and horse first?”

Gabriella took a second before responding. “Your horse is too far away to reach. Go get your sword. I’ll send someone for your horse and mine.”

Rudiger frowned. “My sword is with my horse, your Highness. After previous events, I didn’t trust leaving it in my apartments.”

Gabriella nodded. “Fine then. Get your sword and horse. Join me at the north gate as soon as you can. And bring my horse with you.”

Rudiger bowed. “Your Highness.”

Gabriella raised her sword in a salute. “In memory of the King, my father! We avenge his name! For King Wavon!”

Thilin and the Kingsguard raised their swords. Even Pastrin, Ned, and Annai stood to attention. Quilla did her best to stand as straight as she could, as they all cried, “For King Wavon!”

Gabriella lowered her sword. “To your duties!”