Page 78 of An Archer's Redemption

The room began to spin, and my breath became shallow, so I sat back on my throne. Danym took a step forward, his hand outstretched.

The guards crossed their pikes before him.

“No need for violence. I was merely offeringHer Majestya hand. She looks as if she has seen a ghost.” Danym stepped back.

“I am fine,” I said, waving my guards back. “Let us get this over with.Holy Voice, why do you seek an audience before the throne?”

“After all we went through, this is how you greet me. I was hoping for a happier reunion.”

I clutched the arms of the throne and leaned forward. “You are luckymy greetingdoes not include the sharp end of a pike. You deceived me, betrayed me, and watched me nearly murdered. Now you come intomyhouse and expect a warm embrace?”

“I was talking about a welcome, but if you’re offering an embrace—”

“Enough!” I shot off the throne and descended one step to stand eye level with him. The guards were at Danym’s sides before I had stopped moving. When I spoke, an angry, hissing whisper escaped my lips. “If you ever cared for me, you will get this farce over and leave. If I never see your face again, it will be too soon.”

Danym’s smirk vanished, and I thought I caught a hint of the boy I’d once loved emerge.

He whispered, “Jess, of course I loved you—stilllove you. It’s not what it looked like. Give me a chance to explain.”

My throat seized.

I couldn’t think.

The room spun again, and I had to brace myself against Ethan’s proffered arm to keep from falling.

Nothing made sense.

Danymhadbetrayed me, given me over to the Children to be slaughtered on the altar of sacrifice.

And for what?

What was in it for him?

He was a teenage boy who didn’t want to live with his father anymore. He didn’t care about power or religion. He barelycared about his place in Fontaine’s society. I had had to coach him through everything.

Or was that all an act, too?

Was the quiet, brooding boy who seemed to stumble over his own feet feigning all that? Did I ever really know the man I fled the safety of the Palace with, only to travel halfway across the Kingdom to be kidnapped by murderous madmen?

No, not kidnapped by—delivered to.

Was that his plan all along?

Now he stood before me.

He was so cocky, strutting down the aisle and barely showing any respect due the Crown. How dare he? Who did he think he was? Who did he thinkIwas? Some foolhardy, doe-eyed girl whom he could manipulate again—or worse?

He was about to learn exactly who this Queen was, and just how mighty her commands could be, no matter what his fledgling faith might think.

I stepped back, straightened my spine, and spoke formally. “Voice Wilfred, the Crown will hear your words. Speak.”

The boy in his eyes vanished, and the annoying smirk returned.

“I come with an offer of friendship. The Order wishes the Crown no ill will. In fact, we offer to unite our strength with yours. The One returns with a message of hope, and we believe the time is right for the Crown and the Order to stand as one.”

“Unite the Crown and the Order? What are you saying?” Ethan spoke the words I couldn’t voice.

Danym locked eyes with me again. “The One offers a hand in marriage, to join through matrimony the spiritual guidance of our faith and the worldly governance of the throne.”

---