Against the Reign

by Dove Winters

  Etigan’s soldiers were witnesses to Ulric’s fall, and Liam takes control of his kingdom with the help of some of his trusted men. He disbands all of the former court and will replace them. Etigan has a lot of work to do to fix itself, but healing takes time. I know that.

  Six months after I nearly lost my life to Ulric, I step out onto the balcony where the battle began and face the people. It’s winter and cold and fresh. I take a deep breath; Newrock winters are cold and snowy, but not usually brutal. Snow tops the houses I can see in the distance and everything looks clean and white. I think of the dress and my father’s wishes to make me look pure. The dress may be tainted, but now the whole country looks pure.

  The people see me and kneel, and I feel warmth wash away the chill in the air. I may still have issues, but I nearly died for them, and they fought alongside me. I smile and wave. Vian joins me on the balcony and we embrace to their warm applause. When he pulls away, he holds my hands.

  “You have the kingdom now, Sister. Have you decided what you’re going to do?” he asks. I glance over my shoulder at Liam who stands with Rayner, Ward, and Marguerite. Ward and Marguerite no longer wear servants’ clothes. They have been granted noble status and are dressed as such. Even Monroe, who kicks and coos from Marguerite’s arms, is dressed in a small suit. He tugs at the little hat on his head. Ward’s arm is around Marguerite’s shoulder.

  My gaze shifts to Liam and I hold out a hand. He joins me, taking it and kneeling on one knee to kiss it. I smile to him and turn to address the crowd.

  “The people of Newrock, several months ago I married the prince of Etigan and signed a contract uniting our kingdoms. The contract has been destroyed and Newrock remains a free kingdom. But my marriage is still valid.” I squeeze Liam’s hand. “My love for Newrock will always beat within my heart. You have seen it, and you know it to be true. But my true love lives in Etigan.”

  “Ginny…” Vian says, surprised. I put a hand up and speak.

  “Etigan is under new rule, but still has a long way to go to rid itself of the evil that Ulric and countless others brought in over the years. King Liam has promised a new beginning, and I want to be at his side to make that happen. So I am renouncing my title as Queen of Newrock, and I am handing the crown to my brother.”

  To prove my words I reach up and remove the crown that sits on my head. Though he looks unsure, Vian kneels and accepts the crown that I gently place on his head. This is only for show; a real coronation will have to take place. But the people obviously approve as rapturous applause breaks out from down below us. Vian rises and faces the people and they fall to their knees again. Vian looks at me with tears in his eyes.

  “I don’t know if I’m ready,” he says.

  “You proved you were when you faced certain death and shouted out your loyalty on this very balcony. Rayner and the court will help you. And I’ll be just a river away.” I lower into a deep curtsy to show my respect for the new king. When I rise, I touch his face and imagine his painted portrait hanging in the Reflection Room, cradling the Knight of Newrock’s broken sword. “You look just like Father.”

  “I can see him in you, too,” Vian says.

  With the people satisfied, we head back into the castle. Ward speaks up.

  “So, what now Ginny?” He doesn’t have to call me by any title anymore. I made that clear when I gave him his.

  “Our first duty on the throne is to find the descendants of Descrete. The fifth kingdom was conquered and stripped of its title, but deserves to have its place.”

  “That I can help you with. I’m from there, remember. And I believe I know who you need to speak to,” Marguerite says. She smiles. “It will mean the world to the people to have Descrete reestablished.”

  “As I assume it would. Let’s right the wrongs Etigan imposed.”

  Liam throws an arm around me and pulls me close. “I like it when you speak with such conviction,” he says.

  “Please don’t start kissing here!” Ward cries, covering his face.

  “Is it that bad?” I ask.

  “Takes me back to the alley, it does. When we used to make fun of him. That was more fun than watching you two match lips.” Ward shudders.

  “You used to make fun of me?” Liam asks me, his face falling playfully.

  “Well, just a little. When you used to strut, you know.” I shrug.

  “Which was always,” Ward throws in.

  “If I may, Your Highness,” Rayner breaks in, trying to hide the smile on his face at our bantering. “We should discuss Vian’s coronation ceremony. And I might add, I certainly hope we will be invited to yours in Etigan.”

  “Of course! The whole country is invited! Etigan and Newrock will no longer be considered enemies. And Rayner, please call me Ginny,” I say.

  “It is a habit I cannot break, Your Highness. But I can’t wait to come to your coronation. I know it will be a feast to remember.”

  Twenty-nine

  Vian’s coronation is just as he likes it, quiet and respectful. With the crown settling into its new home on his head, I am free of my duties as queen, and I bid a tearful farewell to the people. My new home in Etigan welcomes me with open arms.

  Well, at least Liam has his arms open. The people, as always, will need convincing.

  Still, Liam and I are crowned together as the new King and Queen of Etigan. A beautiful crown of sparkling diamonds and emeralds is placed on my head; I’ll have to get used to the weight of it. Newrock isn’t about being so showy, but Etigan holds no limits. With a smile brightening her weakened face, Liam’s mother watches the ceremony and gratefully hands over the reins to the kingdom. The physician says since Ulric’s fall, she’s been showing improvement in her health. It’s a great relief to Liam to see his mother getting well, and I believe that she and I will become good friends.

  The ceremonial feast follows the coronation, and many from Newrock have come to attend. The guests fill the Great Hall and spill out into the courtyard. There’s enough wine and mead to swim in, and the music of the Dragon Slayers livens the atmosphere. As I sit at the head table with Liam to enjoy our supper, I lean over to the special guest sitting beside me.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” I ask.

  I receive a cackling laugh, and as I refill Hob’s wine cup, he squeals with delight.

  “May I pay my respects to the new king and queen?” Ward and Marguerite approach the table. They bow and curtsy.

  “You may rise,” I say in an exaggerated, dramatic tone. I then laugh. “Where’s Monroe?”

  “He’s at home with my family. But we wanted to speak with you.” Ward glances at Marguerite and puts his arm around her shoulders. She nods to encourage him on. “We’ve been talking.” He pauses. “You know that I love Newrock.”

  “And I have come to love Newrock as well,” Marguerite adds.

  “But my real loyalty has always been to you, Ginny,” Ward says. “You’re my best friend. And Vian has Rayner and the court to take care of him.”

  “What are you saying, Ward?” I ask.

  He glances at Marguerite again. “We want to move here. I know you gave us noble titles, but we’ll come here and serve you both in whatever way you need us to. However we can help you.” The situation is getting emotional and Ward clears his throat and puffs his chest out a little. “I mean, you know that you and Liam wouldn’t have gotten this far without my help, and I can’t see you surviving ruling a kingdom without me.”

  “Oh, is that how it is?” Liam says.

  “You know it,” Ward says defensively. Marguerite rolls her eyes, but smiles.

  “I would be honored if you both would move here to the castle. As a matter of fact,” I glance over at Liam, “we are still trying to find people to fill our court. There are still positions open. I’m sure Ward’s intelligence could be put to good use.” Liam lets out a sudden loud laugh, and Ward’s eyes narrow. I smack Liam’s arm, but that only makes his laugh louder.

  “I said my loyalt
y was to you, Ginny, and I stand by that. I can’t say much about him, though.” Ward takes hold of Marguerite and they head back into the party.

  “That wasn’t very nice. We were having a moment,” I say to Liam.

  “Well, I still have to get him back for making fun of me in the alley.” Liam rises and takes my hand. “And right now, my queen, you and I are going to have a moment on the dance floor.”

  And so it is. We join in with the guests and dance to the music of the Dragon Slayers. We meet up with Rayner and some of the other court members, too, and I never thought I’d see the day when the respectable court members of Newrock were letting loose to dance; I guess with enough mead anything is possible. I’m just glad that they now respect me as a ruler, and that Red-face isn’t complaining about the party tonight. Vian is there as well, sitting at the head table; he raises a cup to me when our eyes meet. I beckon him to join us, but he politely shakes his head. He’s not one for this kind of dancing, much like my father. He’ll do well as king.

  I’m surprised, yet not surprised, to see Hassal and his gang among the guests of the feast. He may be scum, but he did help us out for his kingdom, so I let him be. Before too long, though, he has too much to drink and picks a fight with someone in the crowd, and Liam sends the guards to throw him out. Some things will never change.

  And me? I still have a lot to learn about ruling, but I figure it’s a job best learned through experience. Liam is on my case because he thinks the mead might be becoming a problem. But tonight, he says nothing as I enjoy myself. I know things won’t always be this happy. Tomorrow, the real work begins. We still have to patch things up with Windem. And there will be future battles to fight. But I’m willing to fight them, for us and for the people, and that’s what counts.

  As the stars rise in the sky, Liam leads me out of the Great Hall. Away from the noise of the party, he pulls me close.

  “My lady, I am quite done dancing,” he says.

  “I could dance all night, Sir,” I respond.

  “And that is why I fell in love with you.” I don’t respond, because his lips meet mine and I run my fingers through his hair. He pulls away slowly. “You know, with everything that’s happened these past months, we never were able to enjoy a proper wedding night.” He surprises me by scooping me off my feet and into his arms. “But we’ll take care of that right now.”

  And he carries me away.

  It may go without saying, but we have a wonderfully passionate night. I would have chosen to stay in that moment forever, if not for the insistent sun that brings a new day each morning. Still, it’s the perfect start to our future together.

  And a very promising reign.

  Look for more books in The Knight Heir Series coming soon!

  Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this book! Chat with me at www.facebook.com/Dovewinters1