Page 57 of The Shadow Path
“Why not?” As they climbed into the Cymric box, she scanned the teeming throngs of London that spread along the river. There had to have been a half a million people or more.
“I believe the Éiren army is small,” Duncan said. “And their general is the crown princess Finola. She’ll be back in Éire if her mother is here, I’d guess. But as I said, they don’t have a large army. They mainly depend on fae mages for their defense.”
Carys wondered whether Harold would even welcome Éiren troops on Anglian soil, knowing what had happened with Orla’s own daughter.
Laura shouted, “This is not like the high chief’s ceremony at all.”
Duncan shook his head. “I’ve never seen the like.”
There was nothing dignified or ceremonial about the coronation so far. The entire spectacle felt more like a sporting event than a solemn ceremony.
“But the Éiren throneareallies,” Carys said. “At least publicly, right?”
Duncan raised both eyebrows. “You know, you never explained why the Kingsguard was at Dafydd’s house yesterday. Anything you want to share?”
“Yes.” She’d have to if their alliance to support Winnie became a reality. “But not tonight.”
Duncan growled. “Carys, I can’t help if I don’t know?—”
“Lachlan!” Laura shouted over the hubbub. “Carys, there’s Lachlan!”
She saw him in the distance, standing in the Alban royal box with various nobles and dressed in blue finery with silver and blue flags flying overhead.
Her former boyfriend was surrounded by guards and courtiers, leaning down to speak to a silver-haired woman in a red cape with fur trim while another courtier—a being that Carys guessed might be a unicorn—waited to speak to him.
He nodded gravely before he turned to the waiting unicorn and shook his hand, clasping it between his own as he listened to whatever the older man was communicating.
Lachlan looked serious and consequential.
He looked… like a king.
And Carys suddenly realized that all this ceremony and pomp—all the tradition and heraldry—was all something that Lachlan would face some day. King Robb was in good health, but King Edgar had been too.
This was Harold’s present and Lachlan’s future.
Something in her heart cracked.
And eased at the same time.
Nêrys, you feel sorrow.
She tried to calm her heart. She didn’t want Cadell worried about her.I’m just seeing clearly, I think. Maybe for the first time.She clutched Duncan’s arm a little tighter.Lachlan will be king someday.
If he wishes it,Cadell said in her mind.Yes, he will.
Where does that leave me?
Wherever you want, my lady. If your uncle has his wish?—
“Oh no, we’re not even going there,” she muttered.
“What?” Duncan shouted.
“Nothing!” The drums reached a fever pitch, and Carys realized that Harold’s river barge had reached the dock in front of Lud’s Hill. “I’ll tell you later. It looks like the coronation is about to start.”
King Harold’scoronation was as raucous and as rowdy as the drums and crowds had promised it would be. There was dancingand singing. There were shouted speeches projected by fae magic and a light show in the sky over the river.
The Great Serpent breached the darkness of the river and showered the surface with a feathery gold illumination, which everyone in the crowd took to mean a blessing and divine approval for the new regent.
