greatest king the Great Isle has ever known, King Alfred the Peacemaker. I shall take my rightful throne, and it will not be denied me by anyone, especially not this woman.” I pointed the sword at Queen Margery, who peered ahead, her chin held high and her eyes haughty.
The soldiers remained quiet, their gazes upon the queen, waiting for her orders.
“Tell them to cease fighting,” Chester growled, shoving her.
“I will die first,” she hissed.
“If that is what you wish.” Chester tilted her head back farther and positioned the blade.
I hoped the soldiers would see reason, would realize Margery could no longer be their queen. They had no loyalty to so cruel a queen, did they? “Choose this day peace between Mercia and Warwick forevermore. If you do, I shall return to Mercia with no thought of taking Warwick for myself the way Queen Margery has always envied Mercia. I shall even allow you your own king. Prince Ethelbard will take over ruling the country in his mother’s stead, and she will be locked away where she can do no more harm for the rest of her days.”
Several of the guards lowered their weapons. I waited for more to do so, the silence stretching.
Suddenly, a clicking and creaking rent the night air. The soldiers glanced around trying to place the noise before realizing, as I did, that it was coming from the chains lowering the drawbridge.
Ruby had done it. I let some of the tension ease from my body, knowing we may still have a bloody battle ahead if the soldiers continued to resist surrendering.
The closest guards bounded toward the tower, likely intent upon keeping the bridge from falling in its entirety.
But it was too late. The momentum downward went much too quickly, and the bridge landed upon the opposite side of the ditch with a bang that reverberated and cracked the beams. Some pieces fell into the pit below, but regardless of its sturdiness, those on the opposite side charged across with the cries of battle.
As they spilled into the courtyard, Queen Margery’s soldiers must have realized they were defeated. While several lifted swords to engage in fighting, the rest lowered themselves to their knees and placed their weapons in front of them in the symbol of surrender.
My heart swelled as I watched our troops stand back and cease their fighting, thankful that we’d come to a peaceful resolution.
I was surprised at how many soldiers continued to cross the drawbridge and pour into the courtyard. With numerous blazing torches lighting up the complex, I caught sight of Pearl hugging Ruby, swaying back and forth, both of them crying. And I was glad for their reunion, wishing Pearl could become Warwick’s next ruler instead of Ethelbard. But I would only anger Warwick if I attempted to usurp their tradition of primogeniture going to the oldest son instead of the oldest child.
Behind Pearl, I caught a glimpse of two warrior-like men with the same broad shoulders and tall build as Kresten. I guessed they were his brothers, the other princes of Scania who’d come to the Great Isle for their Testing. They were all handsome men with a strong family resemblance.
What would they say when they learned their brother had sacrificed his life so everyone else could have freedom?
Ill and overcome at the thought of losing Kresten, I grabbed Jorg’s arm. “Take me to Kresten. Please.”
Jorg nodded, his expression grave. After whispered words with Chester, he led me back into the complex, but not without several of Chester’s guards accompanying us. As we reached the chapel, we found Kresten lying where we’d left him, unmoving. I rushed inside, my heart thudding a misery I hadn’t allowed myself to feel until this moment.
I dropped to my knees beside him and did what I’d longed to do since the instant he fell. I threw myself over him and let silent tears wet his cloak. Beneath my cheek, I could hear the soft thud of his heartbeat and feel the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
He was still alive.
But if Chester was correct about the slumber of death, then Kresten would remain asleep forever, until he died.
I held him at length, until I became conscious that others were in the room. I straightened from him, seeing first Pearl and Ruby kneeling on the opposite side of Kresten. Pearl’s expression was somber as she reached for my hand and squeezed it. Ruby did likewise.
“I am truly sorry,” Pearl said softly. “I know your loss is