Crown of One Hundred Kings (Nine Kingdoms Trilogy #1) - Rachel Higginson Page 0,108

to one knee, facing me and not Tyrn. Eret soon lowered to his knee on the other side of Taelon, pressing his hand to his heart and offering me the highest form of respect.

“We are not here to testify, Princess,” Gunter announced over the fresh outcry of voices. “But to offer allegiance to the Allisand bloodline. To the Seat of Power. To you, Tessana Allisand, for as long as you may reign.” I shook my head, unable to comprehend the scene in front of me. “I offer you my services and my devotion, Your Majesty, along with all of my tribe. The Cavolia are committed to the Seat of Power once more as long as Tessana Allisand and her descendants sit upon the throne.”

I felt my eyes grow big until I was sure they bulged. Gunter hardly knew me. And I was certain he had not been fond of what little he did know.

And yet for him to offer allegiance on behalf of the entire Cavolia? It couldn’t be.

They were kingless. Loyalty-less. They did not fight for any one kingdom. They protected the Cavolia above all else.

“What are you doing?” Tyrn demanded. He stood and marched down the stairs. His guards rushed to stand by his side. “What is going on?”

“Likewise, the Rebel Army also pledges loyalty to the Crown of Nine as long as Tessana Allisand and her descendants control the realm,” Eret offered next. “We swear to fight with the realm to destroy the Ring of Shadows and bring about peace once more. Consider us at your whim, my Queen.”

Hope swelled and for the first time since Conandra started, I felt the possibility of victory.

Taelon had risked so much today. He’d wagered the entire Rebel Army and the Cavolia on my name—that the council would believe him.

And me.

The court erupted with noise. The two men stayed on their knees with their heads bowed, facing me, until Tyrn shouted, “That is the last of the witnesses. We will hear from no one else! Conandra is dismissed until we have our final verdict.”

A meaty hand clamped around my bicep. Crenshaw’s foul scent filled the air and he began to drag me toward the door. I tried to pull away, but his grip was too tight.

The crowd pressed around me, fighting to get a closer look. Faces pushed into mine and hands tugged on my clothes and body while Crenshaw moved us relentlessly through the throng. People called out, using my full name and shouting question after question.

I searched for Taelon, but there were too many people in the way now. I couldn’t find him.

“Wait,” I gasped. I tried to retrieve my arm and disentangle from Crenshaw. “I’m not ready!”

“There’s no more waiting,” Crenshaw growled. “Come, Princess Imposter, your crown awaits.”

I fought harder, struggling to break free, but Crenshaw grabbed my other arm and punished me for fighting by holding me so tightly I knew I would bruise. His sour mouth dipped against my ear. “Tsk tsk, Your Highness. Don’t make a scene now. Not when your future depends on it so.”

“Where are you taking me?” I hissed.

He straightened and shoved me forward. “To your room. I have orders to carry out.”

Fear slithered in my belly and I battled the panic clawing at my chest. I couldn’t ignore the instinct telling me to run. As soon as we were in the hall and away from this crush of people, I would get away.

I would hide until they had a verdict. Or find Taelon and explain my fears, rational or not. We shoved our way into the corridor, which was surprisingly empty.

“Let go, Crenshaw,” I demanded.

To my surprise, he did. He threw me forward. I wobbled but caught myself.

I moved to start running when something hit me from behind. I doubled over, gripping my head and whimpering against the blinding pain.

My thoughts blurred together as I tried to make sense of what had happened. Had Crenshaw hit me? Had he attacked me?

Clicking pierced my fog. I knew that sound. I’d heard it too many times over the last months.

I attempted to look around but my head swam and the world jolted from side to side. Something black appeared in front of me. At first, I thought I was falling unconscious.

But the black mass moved closer, that same clicking noise following it as it walked on freshly polished marble.

Another bloody raven.

It came into better focus and I watched it spread its wings and lunge for me. It opened that ugly black beak and