Glissanda Read online

  His face had fallen serious, but now a corner of his mouth turns up. “I didn’t. Not until we’d arrived at the port this morning. But I knew you wouldn’t be returning to Nuimana, so no point leaving the sword behind. I know that Nadir needs you more. Besides, Nuimana will once again be a part of Nadir with you on the throne. Are you ready?” He motions his head at the Palace, which I now have proof is being occupied illegally by Prince Dominic.

  “Yes.” I hold the book up so everyone in the square can see it. “Here is the written proof that I am destined to rule Nadir. When the sun rises tomorrow, it will be over a kingdom ruled by a true Woman King!” The crowd goes wild. I scan the cheering faces but of course Leif is no longer here.

  I close the book and hold it tight against my chest. The one that states with certainty, the proof I needed, that the throne is mine.

  I laugh and throw my head back, looking up at the cold blue sky above.

  I will finally have the throne of Nadir.

  But I won’t have Leif—the one who’s believed in me all this time—by my side.

  With the book held tightly in my hands, we proceed toward the Palace. This time, I’m not turning away until all those inside are evicted.

  Cecil and several of his cats are still standing guard between the Treasoners and the Palace. They step aside with a flourish as we approach.

  I stand at the foot of the steps, flanked by the young Nuimanian warriors. They tower over me, muscles rippling, huge fists gripping beautifully carved wooden spears. They look like the legendary Nuimanians Sufa would tell me about during our talks. And here they are, in real life, in Nadir. Escorting me to the throne.

  I look around for Tui, and immediately spot his grinning face nearby. He winks, then motions with his head for me to continue. I return his smile, then direct my gaze back up to the enormous gilt doors.

  I take a deep breath and climb the first step. I can’t tell what I feel more: anticipation? Terror? Probably regret that Leif is not by my side as I do this. I wipe that one from my mind; I can do this, all on my own.

  “Go on, Raven. It’s time.” Sufa’s voice is behind me, quietly encouraging me on.

  I take another step. Then another.

  The warriors march with me.

  I take another deep, calming breath, then knock.

  At least a minute passes, maybe two. I raise my hand to knock again, then the door suddenly opens, but just a crack.

  “Let me in. I’m here to see the Prince.”

  “The King, you mean.”

  “No, I said what I meant. Prince Dominic.”

  The door opens wider and one of his purple-robed counselors appears. He’s scowling at me. Then his eyes glance down to the book I’m cradling in my arms. His brows shoot up.

  “What’s that?”

  I hold the book in my hands and thrust it toward him. Immediately, the warriors take a step closer to me, the cats emit a low growl—all a warning to this man of what would happen should he even attempt to take the book.

  “This, sir, is the last remaining Book of Diuturnal Law. The others were destroyed over the past millennia, but this one survived on Nuimana.” I open the book to the marked page; the lettering appears to glitter and shine, but I mark it up to a trick of the morning sun.

  He’s unable to deny its authenticity. His hand drops from the door and he takes a step backward. The door swings open on its own.

  I take a step forward.

  “You know what this says, don’t you? As the firstborn daughter of King and Queen Araroa, and now with them gone, I am to be crowned Woman King of Nadir—”

  “Who’s there?” Dominic appears at the end of the long entrance hall. His eyes go wide when he see me and my entourage. He starts running toward us, then stops, panting. I’m glad to see he appears well enough. “Counselor, I told you not to open the doors for anyone. I told you—”

  “Silence, boy!” The counselor holds up a hand, right in Dominic’s face.

  Dominic slaps the hand away. “How dare you!” He looks back at me. “How dare you, disturb me yet again? You and those people have been warned again and again, that if you do not clear out, then—”

  “Dominic! I said silence!” The counselor grabs his arm, pulls him back from me.

  The boy shakes his arm free. “Excuse me? You shall address me as King Dominic!”

  The counselor shakes his head. “No, do you see what the woman is carrying?”

  Dominic looks back at me, at the book I’ve got cradled in my arms. “Yeah. What is it?”

  The counselor gives me a nod, encouraging me to speak.

  “It’s the law of the ancients, Dominic. What the male Kings have tried to destroy all of these years”—I stroke the soft, worn leather of the book—“but it lives. I live, a true Woman King.”

  Dominic laughs, a high-pitched sound. “Do you mean to tell me that a stupid book is going to force me from my throne. Ha!” His tone has the opposite effect of what I’m sure he intends: he sounds like the pampered, spoiled brat that he is.

  “No,” I reply. “They are.” I motion for the Nuimanians to take him, and before he can blink, they’ve got hold of his arms, and are dragging him down the Palace steps, Dominic literally kicking and screaming as they go.

  I turn back to the counselor. “Please pack the boy for travel. He is to be removed from the Bastion. He’s not to return.”

  The counselor nods his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.” He takes several steps backward, then turns and scurries away down the hall.

  I take two more steps, and stop when I’m standing in the doorway. Sufa steps up and takes my hand, the one that’s been resting on Glissanda’s hilt.

  Together, we turn to face the crowd before us. I scan the crowd desperately, trying again to find the one face that means the most to me.

  It’s not there.

  “May I present the Crown Woman King of Nadir!” Sufa’s voice is proud and sure. He raises our hands up into the air and the crowd erupts in wild cheer. He holds a hand up, but it takes minutes for the noise to die down so he can continue. Finally, “The coronation will be held this afternoon! No time to waste.” His last sentence is low, so only I can hear.

  My heart jumps, and I must swallow the bile down. Once again my chest feels like it’s been split in two. The day Leif has been waiting for nearly his entire life is here.

  And he’s not.

  Everything happens in a blur. We enter the Palace, quickly clearing it of anyone who does not swear fealty to me. I am mostly surprised that so many choose to remain. There’s a part of me that’s not, knowing how much help we’d secretly received over the past few months.

  Dominic’s counselors all depart, taking Dominic with them. I do not say goodbye.

  My suite is cleaned and prepared—Queen Seraphine’s old rooms. A bath is drawn. I sink down into the warm water and close my eyes. I had requested that Oil of Jasmine be added to the water, and it simply appeared. I breathe in my favorite scent, and allow a small smile to spread across my face.

  This really and truly is the end of it all. The end of running, the end of fearing for my life. The end of foraging for food, of sleeping on the hard ground. The Treasoners are heading back to their Bastion homes, right at this very moment. I’ve already ordered the Palace craftspeople to help effect repairs to any home that needs it. The Loyalists have gone home too, and I’ve offered to provide any assistance they might need for a safe return.

  I’ve ordered all the Bastion gates to be taken down.

  The cooks—my cooks—in the Palace kitchen have already set to work preparing an epic celebratory feast, and all in the Bastion have been invited to attend.

  The sempstresses are sewing my coronation dress, to my specifications.

  I try not to think of the only missing piece: Leif. But I can’t help it. I’m sure I did the right thing dismissing Imogen—my trust of her forever broken. What she did was despicable, sending her very own son into the Palace to act as a traitor. A mur
derer. Even though the ends were justified, the means certainly were not.

  I can only hope Leif sees this too, one day.

  When the water cools and I emerge reluctantly from my bath, I find Rosie’s mother, Nina, waiting with a thick, warm robe. She was nearly speechless with joy when I asked her to be my ladies maid. Rosie squealed with delight at finding out she and her family will get to reside in the Palace.

  I tuck the robe around me, and sit down on a soft upholstered stool so Nina can comb out my hair. It’s been an age since my long hair’s been washed and brushed, and there are thousands of snarls for her to work out.

  “There’s someone waiting outside for you, m’lady. He wishes to see you when you’re dressed,” Nina says when she gets started. “Big guy, black hair—needs a wash too, dare I say. Your friend, Tui, I think.”

  I spin around. “Send him in! No need to wait.”

  “Yes, m’lady.” Nina goes to let him in and the two return a few moments later.

  Tui is positively beaming as he looks around my new suite. “Well, look at this! Pretty fancy.”

  “I’ve got a room being made up for you too, Tui.” I sniff, exaggeratedly. “A bath as well.”

  “Can’t say I’d mind that. Listen, I don’t have long. I’ve got a few things I need to get done before your coronation late today. But I just wanted to … I wanted to ask if I could depart afterwards. Next week, I mean—wouldn’t miss the upcoming feasts and celebrations for the world …”

  I can’t help laughing. No way would Tui miss a proper feast. “Of course. Where are you going? To find Catriona?”

  There is a heavy pause.

  “No. I’m not. I mean, not her, specifically. If she wants to hang out with me when I find her and Nile and the others, fine, but otherwise—she can find me if she likes. But I don’t think she will. I’m going to start back to Baldachin. There’s a lot to do there. I expect I’ll meet up with Nile and the others when I arrive.”

  I’ve been looking into the mirror, watching Nina brush my hair. But at those words, I spin around to look at Tui directly. “Wait? What do you mean? Have they found them?”

  Tui’s brows fly up. “You haven’t heard?”

  “No! What?”

  He puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes it. “Nile and Cat found our mums and your papa a day ago. Miss Lilith too. They are already on their way back to Baldachin. I can’t believe you weren’t told! You—”

  “Have been busy. Doesn’t matter. That’s great news, Tui.”

  I can’t help grinning at this miraculous news. Suddenly I feel like all the weight’s suddenly lifted from my shoulders. Well, nearly all of it.

  I reach a hand up and place it atop Tui’s, and squeeze. “But regarding your journey back to Baldachin, of course you should go. I’ll provide whatever I can. A horse, supplies, gear, assistants … you should go soon. Winter’s not far away.”

  “I’ll go directly there. Won’t have to worry about getting … waylaid any longer.”

  “That’s for sure.” I drop my hand and turn back to the mirror, so Nina can finish her task.

  “Listen, I’ve gotta run. I’ll see you later today.” Tui kisses the top of my head, then departs.

  I look at Nina in the mirror. A corner of her mouth is turned up, clearly trying to suppress a bigger smile. “Nearly there,” she says.

  Yes, I nearly am.

  When Nina’s done brushing out my hair, she asks if I’d like it put up. I tell her, no, I’d prefer it to be left down, loose and free, for the ceremony.

  There’s a knock on the door, and a servant enters, bearing a tray of food. It must be lunch already, which means in just a couple of hours the ceremony will begin.

  The servant is wearing a violet robe. Tomorrow, I’ll have anything remaining of that color burned.

  “Would you like anything else for now, m’lady?” Nina asks.

  “No, I think I’ll rest for a little while, have a few bites to eat. Why don’t you go help Rosie get ready? Hopefully her dress is done. Yours too.”

  “Well, if it looks anything like yours, it will be magnificent.” She waves her hand toward the coronation gown that’s just been carefully laid out on my bed. It practically shimmers there: lush red velvet, golden sleeves and trim. I’ve never been one for fancy clothes, but I have to say I’m looking forward to wearing this. It’s stunning.

  I made sure the crown I received in Nuimana was put into safe hands, being polished and readied for this afternoon.

  My stomach does a slow flip at the thought. I still can’t believe this is really happening. Today.

  “M’lady? I’ll come back in an hour to help you dress, if that’s okay.” Nina’s voice grabs me out of my ruminations.

  I smile at her. “That would be wonderful. Tell Rosie hello for me.”

  “I will.”

  When she’s gone, I peer outside. One of the small corner windows of my suite looks out onto the square. Cecil and his bearcats are gone, back to their homelands around the kingdom. The Treasoners’ things have been removed: animals to the stables, tents packed away, carts moved out. The rubbish has been cleared away and in its place, workers are hanging garlands of ribbons, vines, and flowers. The platform that used to be for executions is covered in flowers, and several red velvet-covered chairs are placed there for the witnesses. I’ve asked Sufa, as my Governor General, to do the honors: my swearing-in and official crowning. The entire Bastion has been invited, and already people are milling about, vying for the best spot to watch.

  This is where I will be crowned Woman King of Nadir: on the very platform where my blood mother, Queen Seraphine, died for giving birth to me in secret, for sending me away so that I could live, so that we could all see this day.

  My stomach flips again.

  As promised, there’s a knock on my door an hour later. It must be Nina returning to help me dress. I’ve got my white shift already on, ready.

  “Come in!” I call out from my dressing room.

  I hear the door open and click closed. Fumbling with nervous fingers, I manage to tie the last ribbon of my shift, then go out to meet her.

  It’s not Nina standing there.

  It’s Leif.

  My hand flies up over my mouth. Speechless.

  Clean and dressed in a suit fit for a duke, Leif takes a step toward me. “Raven, I—” He stops.

  The air feels thick with all the words that need to be said, the ones neither of us knows how to say.

  “Raven, I’m sorry.” This time he closes the distance between us, and takes my hands into his own. “I’m so sorry I doubted you. That I questioned your judgment. I should never have done that.” He brings my hands up to his mouth, and plants a tender kiss on each, sending shivers down my arms, into my body. “The ability to trust your closest confidants, that’s the very least you should expect from those who you depend on to serve you. To serve our kingdom.” His emerald-green eyes are wide, burning intently into my own. I can’t help but notice a bit of moisture at the corners.

  “You don’t need to apologize, Leif. I understand, I do. I know you love your aunt. I know this was hard for you. And … thank you for all that. For your understanding.”

  “It’s not only that, it’s that I truly respect how you handled it. Any of our previous Kings would have had her executed for murder. She murdered old Araroa and very nearly his son.” He shakes his head, clearly in disbelief that his own aunt could even do such a thing. “But you didn’t. You had mercy on both her, and her boy. And for that, I respect you—no I love you more than ever.”

  I tug him toward me, wrapping my arms around his middle. I bury my face into his chest, deeply inhaling the leathery, spicy scent I’ve missed dearly.

  He wraps his arms around me, squeezes me tight, buries his face in the top of my hair. I can feel his mouth pulling up into a grin. “Besides, I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I’ve been waiting for this day my entire life.”

  “I know,” I say into his chest
, then lean back slightly so I can see his face again. “I can’t imagine you not here. Not by my side, ever, no matter what. But I thought you’d left?”

  Leif reaches up with his thumb and brushes away a tear that I hadn’t even realized was dripping down onto my nose.

  “No, I swore I’d never leave you again. And I’m keeping that promise.” He leans down and presses his mouth gently against mine. I reach up and curl my fingers into his sweetly scented hair, pulling him down toward me—not gently. Then hunger takes over, longing, as we taste each other as if for the first time.

  My gods, I love this boy, as troublesome as he is.

  We finally break apart; he presses his forehead against mine, both of us gasping for air.

  “I think I’d better help you get dressed,” he says with ragged breath.

  “What about Nina?”

  A corner of his mouth quirks up, a naughty look in his eyes. “I sent her away.”

  “Did you now?”

  “I did.”

  We return to my room where my coronation gown is waiting on the bed. He stops, just staring at it for a long moment. “Right. Let’s get you into this.”

  He picks up the gown, holding it so I can step inside the opening. I steady myself, resting my hand on his solid shoulder.

  I adjust the sleeves on my arms, then he begins buckling the hundreds of pearl buttons at the back. When he finishes, he holds my hair aside, and I hold my breath as he plants a kiss on the nape of my neck.

  I exhale with a small moan of pleasure.

  After he arranges my hair neatly down my back, I spin around with a flourish so I’m facing him. “What do you think?” A corner of my mouth turns up. I feel gorgeous. Powerful. And by the look on Leif’s face I know it’s true.

  “You are beautiful, Your Majesty. Truly radiant.” He gives a small bow and my heart starts pounding as what’s about to happen really begins to settle in. “But wait! Something’s missing.”

  He reaches his hand into his pocket, then draws out a glittering black pendant on a stunning gold and pearl chain.