“Shall I say it?” I demanded, stepping away from Etan, though I could feel him walking up behind me. “Should I tell your court what you really are?”

“And what am I?”

“A murderer!” I shouted in a voice so strong it felt like the stones in the wall shook.

The silence between us was so very charged, so painfully loud. I could feel the eyes of every single person flickering between Jameson and me, desperately curious about how this would end.

“I beg your pardon?” he asked so coolly.

In a steady voice, I said it again. “You are a murderer, Jameson Barclay. Crown or no, you are as wretched as a common criminal. And you ought to be on your knees from the weight of your shame.”

Someone near me swallowed.

After a moment, the ice in Jameson’s eyes softened, and he smiled at me. “My Lady Hollis, based on your appearance, I would guess you’ve been through quite a traumatic day. I don’t know what you think—”

“I don’t think anything. I know you had Silas Eastoffe murdered. I know you had my parents murdered. I know it was your men at my wedding, and the blood of your people is on your hands.”

Etan’s slow breaths were right beside me.

Jameson tilted his head again. “Because of the great love I’ve had for you, I am willing to let these false allegations against me die. But I warn you, any more lies, and I will not be so generous.”

“They. Are not. Lies,” I insisted calmly.

“Where’s your proof?” he asked, spreading his arms wide. “I am willing to bet I have far more incriminating evidence about you than you do about me.”

He signaled to one of the holy men, standing near the door to his chambers. “Bring me that parchment on my desk with the gold seal.” Jameson looked back to me before darting his eyes over to Etan. “And my sword, too,” he called after.

“You were the only one in all of Coroa or Isolte who acknowledged their deaths and my widowhood,” I continued, ignoring his little show. “Because you were the only one who knew. The sole person who made it out of the room was my sister-in-law, Scarlet. And that was only because my hair looks closer to Isolten blonde than Coroan brunette. The men who took down our guests were wearing silver rings, the rings of Coroan nobility. The men who killed my family are probably standing in this room.” My voice started to shake, my anger and sorrow mixing into something bigger than I could hold.

“Breathe,” Etan whispered.

I did.

“This is all circumstantial, Hollis. It proves nothing.” He said it all with such composure, as if he’d known this day might come, and he’d had this speech prepared. “If anyone here has cause for wielding accusations, it’s me. And if anyone here has broken a law, it’s you. Because, unlike you, I have things in writing. I have proof that you, my lady, never should have gotten married at all. Seeing as you were already married to me.”