The thing was hideous.
The priest bowed his head to recite a prayer over the crown.
I felt myself sway, my arms beginning to ache with the way I’d been forced to hold the trinkets. If he didn’t get on with it, I’d be flat on my back seeing stars.
He finished, climbing the single step once more and holding the crown aloft over me. “On this day a crown of gold rests upon your head, may your royal heart be so enriched and your soul be blessed with all kingly virtues.”
The weight of the crown and all it represented left me frozen in place.
“All hail the king!”
I’m not yours,the crown seemed to whisper.
“All hail the king!”
You are not worthy.
“All hail the king!”
Thief. Murderer.
The priest called Roisin forward, and she stepped into the vacant space to my right, smiling for the crowd. Her promises were the same; not once did she falter. And when the man crowned her as queen consort, the crowd gave their resounding approval with an ear-splitting, “All hail the queen.”
We led the procession down the steps, through the pews, to the main door, and out into the baking sun. A line of soldiers waited on either side of the path, swords lifted, forming an archway between the chapel and the castle.
A few more steps, and we’d be inside.
A few more steps, and the prying eyes would go away.
A few more steps, and the riotous cheers would fall silent.
Then the doors to the castle swung open, revealing another wave of cheers, this time from the staff, standing tall and proud in red and gold livery.
Roisin nodded and smiled at them all.
If only I could rid myself of the quiet desperation building in my chest.
I’d made a mistake.
I couldn’t do this.
I couldn’t be king.
19
ROISIN
I stoodat the foot of the dais with the rest of the buzzing crowd, waiting for the new king to take his place at the head of the ballroom. Where there used to be three gold thrones, there were now only two. One large with an eagle’s head carved at the top, the other smaller with carved roses.
One of the last gifts Alrec had given me before he’d died.
My stomach churned like I’d drunk too much wine. How could I feel even a modicum of happiness when he would never again feel anything?You didn’t die too, I reminded myself.You deserve to live.
“Where is he?” Lowri hissed, a glass of champagne dangling between her fingers.Her expression grew more sour by the minute.
I hadn’t seen Caiman since he’d been dragged away by Kerrington’s father after the coronation ceremony. The crowd at my back grew restless, their laughter and chatter echoing off the double-height ceiling.
“I’m sure he will be here soon.” After sweating through the heavy velvet dress I’d been forced to wear earlier, I’d been allowed to change into something more suitable for the weather: a burnished gold gown with a shimmering lace overskirt. The straight neckline was a bit boring, but the way the sleeves hung off my shoulders made up for it. I thought of the way Caiman’s lips had felt against my skin, so warm and soft, and shivered.