A Crystal of Time (The School for Good and Evil The Camelot Years #2) - Soman Chainani Page 0,82

own Courier suggests that Tedros is still the true king, not you,” said the old, graceful Queen of Maidenvale, seated directly below Rhian. “There was no reason to believe them before, but your lies about Agatha give me pause. Indeed, there’s even talk that you’ve kidnapped Sophie and that she still supports Tedros’ claim to the throne. Until Sophie vouches for you and gives us proof that you’re the king, how can we trust you—”

A sword shot through the air and impaled her table.

“That is the proof,” Rhian thundered, his face reflected in Excalibur’s steel. “I pulled the sword. I passed my father’s test. Tedros failed. He usurped the throne that belonged to me by right. And usurpers are beheaded by Camelot law. By all of your kingdoms’ laws. As are traitors. I didn’t hear your support for Tedros when he turned his back on your kingdoms while a Snake tore them apart. I didn’t hear your support for Tedros when I was saving your children from being hanged.”

The room fell silent. Sophie saw Rhian watching the Queen of Jaunt Jolie, the intended audience of his last line. The queen had lost the defiance she’d showed in the church, her head bowed, her throat bobbing. Sophie thought of the way Rhian had gripped the queen’s arm, hissing into her ear. Whatever he’d said had made its mark.

“I lied about Agatha’s capture because I hoped to have her in my dungeons before the people knew otherwise,” Rhian declared to the Council. “Now that they know Agatha and her friends are free, they sense a threat to Camelot’s new king. And that gives Agatha power. Power that endangers not only my kingdom, but all of yours too. So yes, I lied. I lied to protect you. But I can’t protect those who are not loyal to me in return. And you cannot be loyal if you continue to wear those rings.”

Leaders glanced down at the carved pieces of silver on their hands.

“Each of you wears a ring that pledges your kingdom’s faith to the Storian and to the school that harbors it,” said Rhian. “A ring that bonds you to the school and that pen. A ring that has been passed down in your kingdoms since the beginning of time. A ring that now puts you in danger. And I am telling you: if you want my protection, those rings must be destroyed.”

Leaders murmured, a mix of amused chuckles and snorts. Sophie could see red rising in Rhian’s cheeks.

“King Rhian, we’ve advised you repeatedly,” said the Elf King of Ladelflop, “these rings keep the Storian alive—”

“Those rings are your enemy,” Rhian assailed, standing from his throne. “As long as Agatha is free, she fights under the banner of that ring. She fights under the banner of the Storian and the school. She is a scheming terrorist. A rebel leader who will do anything to put her feckless boyfriend back on the throne, including attacking your kingdoms. Wear that ring and you are aligned against me. Wear that ring and you are as much my enemy as Agatha and her army.”

The leaders looked skeptically at one another.

“You are right, King Rhian. Excalibur would not move from the stone for you unless the throne is yours,” said the Empress of Putsi, wrapped in goose feathers. “I believe you are the true king and Tedros is a false one. No one can deny that. It is why we did not oppose your decision to punish him and his princess. But to imply Agatha is a ‘terrorist’ . . . that is a bridge too far.”

“Especially considering you’re the proven liar,” said the Duke of Hamelin. “King Arthur once wore the same ring you want us to destroy. Then the Mistrals became his advisors and it was said that he destroyed his ring at their urging. That he destroyed Camelot’s ring forever. It is why Tedros never wore it and why you never took possession of it. Arthur died an ignoble death. Burning his ring brought him nothing.”

“Because he was too weak to recognize the enemy—” Rhian pounced.

“Or because he listened to voices like yours,” the Duke lambasted. “Why should we believe you over thousands of years of tradition? Why should we believe you over a school that has taught our own children or a princess who is a hero in these Woods? Agatha may have colluded with a usurper, wittingly or not, but she is trained in the ways of Good. And the first rule