He spoke with such authority that if he told me the law required anything, I’d have believed him. And he looked so regal, so princely atop that stone, sword in his hand, that no one dared to question him.

“Son?” Uncle Reid said quietly. Etan turned to him. “It’s time.”

Etan nodded, swallowing hard before jumping off the stone. He looked at me, his eyes still nervous. I gave him a quick smile and nodded, trying to tell him to just get on with it. He knelt to the ground, the sword still in his hand, driving the tip into the ground like a crutch.

Etan looked up to his father and then bowed his head.

“Etan Northcott, son of Reid Northcott, descendant of Jedreck the Great, do you give your word that you will serve and protect the people of Isolte as its king?”

“All of them. Even unto death,” Etan vowed.

Uncle Reid placed the crown upon Etan’s head. “Arise, King Etan.”

He stood, looking somehow even taller, and the crowd exploded into jubilant cheers. Taking deep breaths, Etan climbed back up on the rock to see out into the crowd, and the cheers grew even louder as everyone in the back could now see he wore the crown.

“My p—” Etan started, but he had to stagger out a breath. He put his hand to his heart and looked near tears when he spoke again. “My people. I thank you for your support. I cannot express my joy in the knowledge that good was done today, and not a single drop of your blood was spilled to attain it. We have much to celebrate!

“I invite as many of you who would like to please stay. We will open the palace stores and commemorate the day. To any who are unable to stay, I pray that as you travel home, you share the news of what has happened here, and pass on my blessings to every subject in Isolte.”

There was more cheering as people moved into the palace and spread across the lawn. Etan was enveloped by people, and I watched as he smiled in disbelief as person after person congratulated him.

King Etan. It suited him.

In the rush, it was all too easy to take his horse and march quietly through the sea of people, moving against the flow. It wasn’t until I was well outside the palace walls that the crowds somewhat dispersed and I could climb atop Etan’s horse.

When I’d thought Quinten had killed my husband, I’d only wanted one thing: to look into his eyes as he confessed his sins. And now, I would have that from Jameson.

I dug my heels into the horse, and we bolted.

Thirty-One

I HOPED I WAS HEADING in the right direction. There was one large road out of the city, and once it branched off, I assumed the one heading west would veer north and take me up to Coroa. I was too blinded by my heartache to think of anything but getting to Keresken Castle.