Page 82 of Merciless Is My Crown

Vesper reached out and gently took Bella’s hand. Something like sorrow swept through me then, a sense of loss as I realized…that would never be Adele and me.

I had hardly looked at my mother since yesterday. Given she’d known that fight was to the death and hadn’t even warned me of the danger…Maybe I should feel guilty but I didn’t. Adele had crossed a line when she threw me, unprepared, into that ring with Vireena.

But she’d crossed the point of no return when she’d offered up my males to be slaughtered.

“I have no wish to wear a crown or sit on a throne. Nor do I have the luxury of staying at Stormfall for long. The Shadow King must be removed and his people freed. Then we hope the magic will return to Solarys as it did to Caladrius.”

“You are truly willing to hand over all this power…in exchange for what, exactly?” The witches looked at each other, some with the same expression as Raven before she dragged me off the edge.

“A healing spell?”

“Not just any healing spell.” Beside me, Tavion went still, as if he was piecing everything together. I laid my hand on his knee to warn him not to interfere. “But we will discuss the particulars later. For now, it is enough to know you will have a leader who can keep your coven safe.”

“My mother has agreed to become High Priestess.” Bella folded her hands in front of her. “I had time to check the ancient records.” She nodded somberly to the witches gathered around the table. “We will elect a council of seven to govern and they will decide coven matters.”

“That sounds wise.”

“What about the prisoners?” an older witch hissed from the far end. “What of them? They must be punished for three centuries of crimes committed against us.”

Zorander leaned in so our elbows touched, looking at me, and I nodded.

“I have sat in many councils. Listened to many kings…and queens make decisions.” His dark, steady eyes skimmed over the table then landed on Vesper.

“I suggest your council’s first task be to decide the prisoner’s fates. A public trial. A good test of your new government, and a clean way to put the old one behind you.”

“You do not wish to pass judgment yourselves?” Bella asked. “Some of these crimes were against you. Raven tried to kill you. She would have…” Her pale eyes drifted over to where Tristan leaned against the wall, and she swallowed, hard.

“By our own laws, it is your right to seek revenge.” Bella tore her eyes away from Tristan. “The blood debt is owed to you, not to us.”

“I leave their fate in your capable hands,” I said quietly. “And as far as the exchange of power…” I lifted up the crown and handed it to Bella. “Unless your mother likes ceremony, which I suspect she does not, I return this crown to the rightful bearer, along with the authority that goes with it.”

Bella’s hands shook as she lifted the crown up then placed it on her mother’s head. Tears glimmered in Vesper’s eyes before she gave me a fierce smile.

“Long live the High Priestess,” Zorander said quietly, rising to his feet and dipping his head. “May your rule be prosperous and filled with years of peace for you and your people.”

Tavion pressed his hand over his heart as he rose, and then everyone was on their feet, heads bowed, and this time…there was no stopping the silver tears spilling down Vesper’s scarred cheeks, her hand folded tightly in her daughter’s.

Somehow, I suspected my own tears had less to do with the crown on Vesper’s head than how tightly her daughter clutched her hand and the adoration shining in her eyes.

31

ZORANDER

Iwaited for everyone to take their seats and wipe away their tears, especially Anaria, whose emotions I sensed as keenly as my own.

My love was too quiet, even now that the crown had changed hands, as if a terrible weight still lay upon her shoulders.

But this was more than that. Down to her very essence, Anaria was exhausted.

Afraid, though she’d never openly admit it, hiding behind clever sayings and bright, arrogant grins. But I saw her. A brilliant puzzle, one I wanted so badly to solve.

And that bit about trading healing for the crown…My eyes slid over to Tavion, his eyes in slits as he studied her, lips clamped in a tight, angry line. Whatever was going on between them had something to do with that trade.

All I wanted was to get Anaria alone, hold her in my arms, soothe her rattled nerves, and make sure there wasn’t a scratch on her, especially now that I’d discovered she been thrown off a fucking parapet.

If Tristan hadn’t torn that witch apart, I would have.

Raziel and Dane slipped in through the door, taking up positions beside Tristan and Simon. Raz gave me an imperceptible shake of his head. No, we didn’t find Solomon. I ground my teeth together.

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