to command.
But the closest entrance to the city was now blocked by the dragon flames. “We can’t wait for this,” she said. “I can’t wait for the stone to cool enough to pass. I’m going in another way.”
“I’ll go with you,” Finnegan said. “And Nettle.”
“All right,” Aurora said. “But the soldiers should stay here.” They would make a good distraction, at least. She looked at the dragon. It continued to circle, snapping its wings. Leaving it would be a risk. How far away could she get before the dragon broke free, before it burned the whole forest into dust? But it was a powerful distraction, and if it flew above her, she would lose any element of surprise.
Her performance here would be key. She was not a usurper. She was not a spy, an assassin crawling through the dust. She was the princess, and they would know when she returned.
“I’ve changed my mind,” she said. “You and Nettle stay here, with the soldiers. I can’t have you with me.”
“Aurora—”
“You don’t have magic, and you can’t fight all those guards. All your presence will do is make me look like an agent of Vanhelm. I’m going to face the king alone. With my magic, and with the dragon. No one else.”
“Aurora—”
“Stay safe, Finnegan,” she said. “I’ll see you when it’s over.” And before he could react, before he could argue or say good-bye, she turned and ran into the trees. She followed the curve of the city walls, until she reached brambles and trees that seemed familiar. The point where she had escaped, all those weeks ago.
She did not hesitate. She crawled into the city.
Not a single living thing stirred. There was no panic, no fear, nothing but empty streets, lost in the shadow of the wall.
She looked east toward the gates. Smoke curled upward, casually, almost lovingly. The flames sent orange light skittering across the darkening sky. The dragon gripped the roof of the gate tower, its tail wrapped around the spikes and stone. She would call it to her soon.
Still, there were no screams in the city below.
Aurora ran.
Ahead, she could see her tower, see the castle, stern and forbidden and untouched by the chaos. The dragon’s screams echoed in her ears, but she could hear more shouting now too, the booming voice of the king, like the voices of the preachers shouting for Vanhelm to repent.
“Do not be afraid of the cowards’ fire!”
Aurora used a stack of crates to climb onto a low-hanging roof, and crawled closer. A pyre had been built at the top of the steps, the wood piled higher than the great doors of the castle. King John stood before it, wearing a golden crown. He stabbed the air with a long, jeweled sword as he spoke. The steel glinted.
The castle square was crammed with people. Guards stood all around them, forming a solid wall of flesh and steel. Few people were paying attention to the king. They looked in the direction of the fire, the dragon’s screams, and some tried to scramble away, but nobody moved from the square. Nobody would let them.
“Do not fear them!” the king shouted again. “These traitors, these monsters have infiltrated the castle, have brought my own son under their thrall. Now they are here to save him from our justice, but they will not succeed. We do not abide traitors, and we do not abide threats. Alyssinia is strong.”
Iris stood a few paces away from her husband. Her black hair was pinned back, her dress and face plain. Rodric was on the other side of the pyre, held by more soldiers. His hair had grown longer since she had last seen him and was matted around his eyes. He had a bruise on his jaw, and his clothes were dirty and torn, but he stood straight-backed, no trace of fear on his face. A blond girl stood beside him, her hair silver-white and as fine as gossamer. She too looked filthy and worn, but she stood unmoving, glaring at the crowd. Every inch of her screamed defiance.
“Two weeks ago, my son was caught dealing with rebels and traitors in our city. Plotting our downfall on the false princess’s behalf.” Aurora tightened her grip on the edge of the roof. “My son instigated the riots that left parts of the city in ruins. He spread the rebellion that left so many of our loved ones dead. I had hoped, with a father’s blindness, that I was mistaken, but now