Page 115 of The Twisted Throne

The crown of the queen of Harendell.

Tension sang through her body, partially because if anyone saw her wearing the queen’s crown, it would be a disaster. But mostly because it felt as though if she wore it in truth, every goddamned struggle she faced would cease to exist, for the power of Harendell’s throne would be hers to wield. “Eddie, I…”

But the look on his face froze her tongue, and Ahnna fell silent.

“You remind me so much of her,” he finally said. “Seeing you on this throne makes me think of what might have been if the stars had been in our favor.”

Ahnna frowned, unease filling her because she was nothing like Alexandra. But then she understood. “You mean Siobhan? James’s mother.”

“Yes.” His response sounded strained, as though hearing her name caused him physical pain. “Your commitment to Ithicana reminds me of her. The willingness to do whatever it takes for the sake of your people.”

She held her breath, no part of her understanding what was going on here.

“Siobhan was the love of my life,” he said gently. “There was nothing I wouldn’t have done for her, no lengths I wouldn’t have gone to. I think, Ahnna, you’ve seen love like that more than once. Seen the consequences of a man loving a woman so much he forsakes all else.”

Ahnna swallowed hard, but then gave a tight nod, for she knew the toll of that sort of love all too well.

“There were times I wondered if higher powers took Siobhan from me as punishment for making her first in my heart. If God believed taking her away from me would correct my course. Would make me walk a different path.” His head tilted. “If that was the case, he erred, for her death only ensured that I’d dedicate my life to achieving everything that mattered to her.”

Ahnna’s breath was coming rapidly, too rapidly, because she had no idea what was happening. Why he was telling her this. “Do you know who killed her?”

He gave a slow nod. “And I intend to destroy her and everything she holds dear.”

Did he mean Alexandra? Someone else? “Who?”

“An individual who feared Siobhan’s dream and stood to lose a great deal if it were achieved.” Reaching out, Edward removed the crown and set it back on its cushion. Then he took her hand and pulled Ahnna to her feet. “She was right to.”

He had to mean Alexandra. He had to.

A thousand questions rolled through Ahnna’s head, not the least of which being what this confession meant for her and Ithicana. Yet the question she found herself asking was not for herself but for James. “If you loved Siobhan so much, why haven’t you changed the laws allowing the persecution of astromancy? Why do you allow her people to be burned?”

“Because changing a deep-seated belief in Harendellian people is no simple task, and if I’d tried to force it, there’d have been a revolution against the crown.” He hesitated, then added, “The people had to want the change.”

“What would make them want to change?” she demanded.

He smiled. “The perfect storm.”

It was no answer, but the look in his eyes made her skin crawl because it spoke to layers of designs that he had yet to reveal. “Eddie, I don’t understand your intentions. Please speak plainly.”

“All will become clear when the time is right.” He clasped both sides of her face with his hands. “Tonight we will change the trajectory of Harendell’s future, Ahnna. It will be a moment that will go down in the history books.”

Letting go of her, Edward started toward the entrance of thethrone room, but Ahnna called after him, “Does the queen know your plans?”

He looked over his shoulder and gave her a sad smile. “The queen is already dead.”

Shock radiated through Ahnna’s core, but before she could ask him what had happened to Alexandra, Edward exited the room.

Alexandra was dead?

Except how was that possible? The whole palace would be in a frenzy.

A sudden certainty struck her. “Oh God,” she whispered. “He plans to kill her. Intends to have his revenge for Siobhan.”

Ahnna stared at the closed doors, sickness rising in her stomach because she suspected having justice was only part of what Edward intended to achieve tonight. She needed to get answers, because every instinct in her soul screamed that clouds were circling, a storm brewing.

And not just over Harendell.

Ahnna broke into a fast stride across the throne room, only for her toe to strike something, sending it rolling across the marble floor. Frowning, she bent down and picked it up.

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