I stood, walking to the window as I considered this. My mother used to say to wait for daylight when there was a decision to be made. There was none of that to help me now. The moon was peeking up from behind the horizon. She would have to do.

How had Etan described the moon? Reflecting light back? A guide for those who didn’t know they were in the dark?

Whatever he’d said, it was beautiful.

Could I really be like that? Could I be a guide? Could I be a light?

Could I lead Coroa?

I’d loved so many things in my life. I’d loved my freedom. I’d loved my family. I’d loved dancing and showing off my gowns. I’d loved gaining a sister. I’d loved Silas. I’d loved Etan.

Some of those loves were much shallower than others, but the thought of making every love I could ever have for all my life come in second place to Coroa . . . it was frightening.

If I said yes, it meant closing the door on so many things, on a thousand possibilities for my future. It meant service and humility and a lifetime of correcting wrongs.

And if I said no, it meant risking Coroa.

I had been scared to come back here, but I realized now that so much of that fear was tied to Jameson. And he was gone. Without him, all I could think of was that someone had to protect this land, the land that Queen Honovi made the boundaries of with her kisses, the one Queen Albrade protected on horseback.

I couldn’t leave Coroa by the wayside, risking her falling into the hands of someone who might break her or suppress her. No. I would never let that happen.

When I turned around, the holy man was standing there, the Crown of Estus in his hands.

And I took a knee.

Three Months Later

Thirty-Five

I WALKED AROUND THE TABLE a second time. “No, no.” I pointed to the flowers in the middle. “In Isolte, these are used in mourning. Replace them. I think that’s everything.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the page said eagerly. “And the menu?”

“It’s all been approved. If you have any further questions, they may be directed to my principal lady.”

The butlers and pages bowed and moved, finishing up all the final details. There was only one thing left to take care of, and it should be done by the end of the day. If everyone was on task, that is.

I walked from the chamber we’d been using for planning and into the central corridor of the castle. Unlike the kings before me, I preferred to work where I might see my people. There were bows and curtsies as I made my way out toward the courtyard. As expected, all the young girls were working on one big dance together, with Nora choreographing. I’d never seen anything quite so large, and I was sure it would impress.