Page 46 of Iris of the Crowned Flame

We also hoped that others might act out, not too many that we couldn’t handle it, but enough to bring attention to Lord Denenbaum and any other conspirators. General Kellen had agreed to station many of his men among the crowd in plain clothes, supplementing the castle guard, in case fighting broke out.

I was nervous. Provoking Egan, and potentially a God of Death, was intimidating, but it was necessary to get this plot against me under control. I hoped that word of the spectacle would prevent Scoria Bay’s allies from blindly siding with them, but I didn’t think I would believe a report that includes magic if I wasn’t a witness.

It was time to make this announcement. My stomach flopped, and I worried I might be sick. Ivy was standing behind me, staring at me in the mirror. “Are you ok, Lyla?”

I nodded. “I can’t say I’m excited about this, but I am ready for this to be over.”

Amyra and Ivy both nodded their agreements. “Let’s go, my Love.” Amyra holds her arm out, inviting me to grasp her elbow.

They planned to make this announcement at the grandcastle entry, an enormous staircase from the courtyard to the castle doors. This was the traditional place for major royal news, such as announcements of betrothals, births of new heirs, and so on. The stairs had three landings since they went so high. Father, Ethan, and I planned to stand at the highest point, and the princes would stand at the landing just below us, ten steps lower. We expected the Council and Priestesses to stand at the lowest landing, and we invited the crowd to stand around the courtyard, but not within ten feet of the bottom of the stairs.

People packed the place. My anxiety spun out of control. ‘Breathe, baby girl. And guard your mind. But most importantly, breathe, we planned for this.'

Relief flooded my emotions when I heard Spencer’s voice. I searched for him and saw him standing right next to Frederick and Egan, positioned between them. I didn’t know if I wanted to be mad at him for standing right next to Egan, or to be grateful that he positioned himself to keep Frederick away, since he was just as innocent as the rest of this crowd.

I joined Father on the platform, as planned. Ivy and Amyra stood to the side at the top of these stairs, along with the personal assistants for Father and Ethan. I looked through the crowd and found each of the Priestesses positioned as they promised. The Council looked unaware of the plan. I was supposed to seek their approval for this selection before telling the world, but we couldn’t risk Lord Denenbaum or anyone else telling Egan in private. I knew that I’d have to answer to this decision later.

I looked around to take in the crowd. It seemed like the entire city showed up for this announcement, which surprised me. I didn’t expect them to care about hearing something starting behind closed doors. I noticed the sky was blue, not a cloud to be seen, and it was clear enough to see the sea. Just before the horizon, you could barely make out the small islands that mark the beginning of Scoria Bay’s territory gently sitting on the water.

Father’s hand reached out to my shoulder, showing it wastime to speak. We both stepped forward, on the edge of the landing, so that our voices could carry far enough to be heard by everyone. A trumpeter standing on the side provided the signal to calm down, and the crowd stilled.

“Thank you, everyone, for arriving this morning,” I began. My stomach started doing its own somersaults, and I wondered if eating breakfast this morning was wise. “I am honored to have all of you here, to see through this tournament to select my betrothed, and to find you, the people of Elthas, a King worthy to lead you.” I paused for the applause, waiting for it to die down before I continued my announcement.

“I am thrilled to announce that the search is over.” I smiled as the crowd erupted into an even more energetic celebration. “Rather than continuing with the Tournament, I’d like to announce the winner. He has worked hard to prove himself since we met the evening of the ball.”

I glanced down to the princes. Frederick and Egan seem shocked, and Spencer’s attempt to match their shock was lacking. He was certainly no actor, which made me smile.

“He proved himself worthy in the first round, and while I can’t speak to how he’d have handled the other two events, I am confident that he will be the King you all deserve.”

Egan’s face was darkening. I checked my mental defenses and felt the wall. I worried we were wrong about Death not being able to get through those mental barriers. It was too late to change course now. Egan was shocked enough.

“I’m pleased to inform you that our next king, and my husband, will be Prince Spencer.”

I offered a genuine smile as I looked around the crowd. So many celebrated, but some were upset and jeering. I looked back at the princes and saw Egan reaching for something in the folds of his shirt. I shouted to Spencer, trying to get words out, but no sound came out. He reacted, understanding my intention. He shoved Frederick to the side and then reached for his own dagger. Time seemed to slow as my fear for Spencer’s safety overcame me.

Two castle guards restrained Egan’s arms before anyfurther moves could happen. I felt relief, and the adrenaline slowed, hopeful that this meant there would be no show of magic.

Then Egan pointed at me and growled, “You, you are trash, filth. I should have ended you in that dining room like he told me!” Lightning shot across the air at me from his hand. His strike hit me in my stomach, knocking the wind out of me as I fell to my knees.

My emotions erupted, and before I could compose myself, pebbles rose in the air as I stood. I looked down, grateful to find the armor did it’s job, even though the fabric burned at the impact site.

The ground shook.

Then gasps sounded all around me. I looked at the crowd to see what the gasps were for, and people were looking horrified, pointing out to the sea. I followed their reaction, and saw an island rising above the others, fire shooting into the skies above. The perfect blue sky marred by white and black smoke. The clouds grew rapidly, quickly covering the land, blocking the sun. Within minutes, ash started falling from the sky.

“Everyone, take shelter!” I heard lots of shouting all around me. Did Death do this?

I made eye contact with Egan.

“If you did this, if you killed my people, I will end your entire kingdom. Elthas doesn’t deserve to survive.” He swore his oath with so much vitriol that I could feel the cold black void of his soul.

Spencer reached me, standing in front to protect me. I felt frozen by all that was happening.

“You will never reach her,” Spencer promised.

Egan replied, but castle guards, plain clothed soldiers, and villagers all swarmed between us, so I couldn’t hear. People were rushing into the castle to take cover from the burning ashes falling from the sky. I coughed as Amyra grabbed one of my arms and Spencer took hold of the other as they guided me inside. Somewhere near me, I heard Ivy rushing us to get inside.

It took hours for the ash to slow down enough for people to return to their homes. The islands still had smoke billowing into the sky, but winds had shifted to blow it over open water. In all the chaos, Egan had escaped the guards who had him. Once we found that out, Father had the General and Guard Captain organize so that no one left the grounds without their knowledge. While the guards checked for Egan, Father had all of us shelter in Juniper’s office all day into the evening. He hoped that by choosing her space, it would be unlikely for Egan to find me and carry out the plot. Ethan, Ivy, Amyra, and Spencer all joined us, and Juniper had the Priestesses assemble with us for added protection, for them and for us. Juniper’s office, at the hall’s end, simplified defense, and the cavern offered extra protection should anyone breach the door.

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