Page 109 of Between Despair and Hope

And with that, for the rest of the morning and far into the afternoon, we discussed the logistics of the coronation and the ball. I felt a bit anxious throughout the day, eager to get back to the estate. Though I wasn’t ready to share her bed, I was eager to share this conversation with Emma. Just to talk to her. At the very least, I wanted to laugh with her about Shivani’s tantrum over my refusal to hold a festival. I almost thanked the gods for Declan putting us into a state of war because it allowed me to cancel it completely with no qualms. If I could get away with it, I would have canceled the coronation as well. But between the council members and my mother, I wasn’t going to weasel my way out of it. The good news was they agreed to bypass any vote about Elora’s legitimacy.

“Elora Vestana. At least it sounds nice together,” Mother said, and I choked on a breath.

“I hadn’t even—what if she doesn’t want it?” I stuttered. I had yet to prove myself to this girl. She had a man who raised her, even if he ended up a monster. “I suppose she could change it to Highclere if she doesn’t want to keep Faxon’s or take mine.”

“Why, in the gods’ names, do you think she wouldn’t want your name? You’re the king.” Incredulous, my mother clearly had no experience with what my daughter was going through.

“I don’t know. Change? Accepting me? It’s a lot for a child to think about.”

“She could not do any better than you as a father,” she said, resting a hand atop mine. “You are everything your father was not. I don’t know where you learned it, because it certainly wasn’t from him, and it’s not as if I fulfilled that role for you. But I have no doubts she will accept you. Fickle is the heart of a young girl, but I have utmost faith she will see you for who you are.”

I nodded, trying to convince myself to believe her. I found myself grateful for our time together, and I wondered if I had been right about new beginnings.

A fist hammered on the door of Shivani’s suite, and before I could even stand, it was bursting open and shadows I hadn’t summoned had crawled up my arms as I retrieved my sword. Dewalt was already talking when Dickey ran up behind him, panting and running his fingers through his hair.

”—dead body—”

A dull roar.

”—the queen wasn’t there—”

A rushing of blood through my ears.

”—no sign of struggle—”

The room went pitch black, and the earth shook.

Chapter 33

Dewalt

“Rainier!”Ishoutedhisname as I rushed toward him blindly. “Your light. Remember what she showed you. What we practiced.” I was halfway across the room when the shadows thinned, and Shivani fell to her knees. His hand was in hers, and I realized she’d siphoned away his shadows.

“Divine hell, they—gods,” she breathed. “I’ve never felt something like that.” She coughed. “They’re demanding, aren’t they?”

Rainier had doubled over, hands on his knees, panting.

“Fuck!” he shouted, and the ground shook beneath us. “Elora? Is she with her? Is she safe?”

“She’s never taken Elora with her before.”

“Elora is with Thyra. Emmeline sent a message, told me what time to meet her. I was only a few minutes late. I ran into someone.” Dickey turned a violent shade of red as he rushed out the words. I glared at the boy, annoyed.

“See? Elora is safe. It’s possible Emma changed her plans. She might have gone to the city guards about the body,” I said, remaining calm. In the back of my head, I knew I was wrong. Thyra had gone with Emma to the woman’s house the day before, and I regretted not being the one to go with her since it was a repeat visit.

“You said Em was safe too. You promised me, D.” He ground out the words.

“I did. Shewas.” Gods damn the stubborn fucking woman for going off alone.

“You swore I didn’t have to worry about what she was doing, that you’d protect her. Where is she?”

I stared at him for a moment, blinking. I had promised, but so had she. Fucking hell.

“I don’t—”

“Where is she?”

“Let’s go check the estate, just to be sure. Open a rift.” I knew it was a waste of time, but I had some hope she hadn’t strayed from our plans to keep her safe. I’d already impulsed her a few times, and knew she would have found me if she could have.

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