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"I’us could have killed you," she whispers

"But he didn’t"

She’s the first to pull away When she straightens, her lips are pressed into a resolved line

"Hector," I say

He uncrosses his arards me warily

"I can’t leave all those people out there They’ll work themselves into a terrified ates"

"They should know that their queen will protect them, no matter what"

"To reverse the order of a Quoruive the co out the door "But you need a proper escort We should wait until Lady Xiate now"

He considers a moment, then nods reluctantly

To Mara, I say, "Will you check on Prince Rosario?" Treading strategically ives it a squeeze "Of course Please be careful" She doesn’t let go until I squeeze back

Hector and I hurry into the hallway and i corridor and run off ahead of us, a cacophony of clanking ar leather They wear the plain cloaks of palace garrison--General Luz-Manuel’s men "Hector? What--"

"I have no idea" But he draws his sword

Another group approaches from behind, and we step aside to let them pass They move with such haste that they fail to notice their queen staring at the up the rear is a little younger, a little shorter than the others I grab him by the collar and yank him backward He whips his sword around to defend hi froe not to flinch

The soldier’s face blanches when he recognizes me "Your Majesty! I’m so sorry I didn’t see" He drops to his knee and bows his head Hector does not lower his sword

"Where are you going?" I deate, Your Majesty"

"Why?"

"We are under siege"

Hector and I exchange a startled glance It must be the Inviernos How did they sneak into the city unnoticed? How could so ," the soldier adds

Oh, God "You ainst our own people? Tell ave the order to lock down the palace"

He folds in on himself a little "It--it was Lord-Conde Eduardo"

"By sealed e or in person?" Hector asks, and it takes e, the parchht still exist

"His adviser, Franco, relayed the e"

Franco I’ve made it a point to memorize the names and positions of every person in nize this one

"I require your escort to the palace gate," I tell hiesture for hi Hector at my back, and lift arrison--archers up along the palace wall, light infantry in a row, ten paces back frorappling hands with their spear points, barking warnings to the people on the other side Fro noise, the crowd has at least tripled

"Thank you," I tell the young soldier "You may join your company" He bows and flees

Hector points to the wall above the gate, to a space between crenellations "It’s Conde Eduardo"

Sure enough, a figure stands tall, hands on hips, observing the crowd beyond

"Let’s go"

Hector bellows, "Make way for the queen!"

Soldiers scurry out of the way as we rush forward and take the stairs to the top of the wall two at a tihtly as I approach, but a blanket of composure drops across his features quickly He’s an almost-handsome man with broad shoulders, sharp eyes, and a black close-cropped beard that cedes to gray along his temples "You shouldn’t be here, Your Majesty," he says "It isn’t safe for you"

"Did you order the palace lockdown?" I ask, breathless from the quick climb

"No Theto read any deception or nervousness there, but he is as preternaturally calate opened," I tell hiood--"

"They’re our people Not our enes"

"Like dropping the gate against those we’re supposed to protect?"

His nostrils flare as he takes a deep breath He leans forward, eyes narrowed, and I resist the urge to flinch away Do not back down, Elisa Below, the mob has quieted They have no doubt spottedto see what I’ll do