Page 99 of Return of the Vengeful Quee

She paused to let her words settle and then said, “If you’ve chosen to live elsewhere, get up and leave now, and nothing will happen to you. However, if you stay, and I learn that you are causing discord, you will find yourself in my dungeon faster than you can draw your next breath. Make your choice now.”

A few people got up, shamefaced and looking at the floor as they crept out of the room. Two more hurried after them. The rest stayed where they were.

“Show your queen the deference she deserves.” Holland’s tone brooked no arguments.

As one, the Caleran nobles dropped into curtsies and bows. Charis stood, tall and proud, eyes burning, heart pounding, imagining she could hear in the distance her parents whispering that they were proud of their daughter.

When the crowd had once again found their seats, she turned to the Everlys. “You have been found guilty of treason. The punishment is death.”

“I volunteer to do the job.” Holland’s lip curled as he aimed his sword at Lord Everly.

“In my kingdom, traitors have their heads removed and stuck on the fence posts that line the palace gates.” King Alaric moved to Charis’s side, his gaze barely landing on Tal before moving away. “It’s remarkably effective in discouraging others from moving against me.”

Charis thought the rage within her was spent, but the sight of Alaric’s callous disregard for his son sparked it anew.

She waved a hand at a page. “Lead the guards to the dungeons and make sure the Everlys are in separate cells. They will be publicly executed in the square tomorrow at noon. And get Ferris’s body out of here.”

As her orders were obeyed, she turned to Alaric. “I know we need to have a wedding ceremony, but it will have to wait a few hours to allow everyone to change into clean clothing and to let the physician stitch Tal’s wounds.”

Vahn’s head lifted, surprise written across his face. “You’re still going through with the wedding tonight?”

King Alaric laughed. “Barely waiting for the blood to dry. You’re every bit the queen your mother was, I’ll give you that.”

Yes, she was. And she’d done what she’d sworn to do when she’d fled her kingdom. There was just one more task awaiting her.

Two hours later, grateful that Nalani, though seriously injured, would live and that Tal would also recover from his wounds, Charis dressed in the blue gown that had once caused Tal to stumble over his words when he saw her, and had the nobility moved to the throne room.

With no member of the royal council present to perform the ceremony, she’d sent for the magistrate of Arborlay. It was time to solidify her treaty with Montevallo, pay the Rakuuna to leave and never come back, and begin the process of rebuilding her kingdom. And it was time King Alaric realized that, while he might not see the kind of treasure he had in his youngest son, others did.

Vahn was waiting for her in the corridor outside the throne room. “Tal is all right.”

She nodded. “I received word that his wounds were dressed, and he’d been given clean clothing.”

“He’ll be along shortly. I just . . . I wanted to talk to you. Before we go in.” He looked uncomfortable.

“What is it?”

“I’m a bit surprised that you’re going through with this.”

She faced him, softening at the sight of his brother’s blood on his snowy white shirt. “I keep my promises. And our kingdoms cannot continue to be at war.”

“I agree.” He swallowed, looked over his shoulder as his father’s voice called his name from inside the room, and then said in a rush, “I’m just surprised that you’re marrying me without protest. Of course, Tal can remain your bodyguard, and I’ll do my best to look the other way if the two of you— It’s awkward, but— Perhaps we—”

“Tal won’t continue on as my bodyguard.”

Vahn’s brows rose. “It’s clear that you two love each other.”

“We do.”

“Then why . . . Oh.” He drew in a breath and blew it out slowly.

“I will honor the treaty, down to the letter.” She raised her voice so that Alaric, who was approaching, could hear her, too.

“I should hope so,” Alaric said, glancing down the hall where Tal was walking toward them, supported by Holland, who looked weary.

“I already know you plan to honor our treaty as well,” Charis said. “After all, you made it clear that you’d support me if I won my recent power struggle but wouldn’t be too bothered if I lost because there were still heirs to choose from to fulfill the treaty.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Your Majesty.” Alaric clapped Vahn on the back. “I much preferred you as Calera’s ruler than that pompous Ferris Everly.”

---