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The last I saw of Lisette was her back as she tried to turn and run, while I was dragged along behind the queen

Chapter 19

Randal

The crowds had already gathered outside the castle by the time we arrived, fresh from the speech in the s of Arareat square, and it was there that I would be ot the news about my father’s death before I finished my speech and looked frustrated when I spoke to him

Apparently, my father should have held on for a few more hours and it was damned inconvenient, but ould make it work

Such were Lord Aaron’s words

I’d begged hio check on Iris first, but he insisted that this would be a better guarantee of her safety If we left it, and Patara got to the crowds first, she could turn people to her side and after that she’d be looking to rid herself of any challengers She already had half the guards supporting her, and, according to Giles’s spies, had been having an affair with one of her personal bodyguards for at least a year

That affair had furnished her with supporters that the man had persuaded to back her, and while Giles had run his own counterintelligence operation against her lover, he hadn’t had the heart to assassinate him A step too far, he toldher

All around us hustled soldiers and servants Behind us an entourage of royals who lived in the city, or near enough to athered One of my father’s sisters was there, a cousin too—I didn’t even know them, had never met them I didn’t know if they were aware of my existence before today or would have ever been allowed to come see me if they had

“Your aunt is a good woman,” Giles said beside me “As soon as I asked her, she ca up your claim to the throne She and your father were not close, but in terms of threats to your power, she’s an important ally”

I nodded, glancing around me At least one threat to my poasn’t anywhere to be seen Patara and her own entourage were conspicuous by their absence, and I had to wonder if she was still plotting some last-minute attempt at a coup

My father’s valet, or the man who had served him until his illnessa red velvet pillow On it sat the crown, a old and diamonds

“Sir, if it’s not tooyou after today”

“Thank you,” I replied, feeling aard Valets? Servants? I’d never needed such things, but I guessed for the proper running of a royal household I was soed