The Hall of Blood had never been so quiet.
Warriors lined both sides of the chamber, their crimson armor gleaming beneath the torchlight. The Blood Guard had gathered to swear loyalty to their newly acknowledged Queen after the Forgotten Crown accepted Kaelira.
But instead of celebration…
There was tension.
No one looked at the throne.
They were all watching the man standing in the center of the hall.
Ronan.
The prince who had once been Kaelira’s greatest protector.
The man who had also driven a sword through her chest.
He stood alone, unarmed, his wrists no longer bound but still marked by bruises from the chains. He could feel the weight of every stare.
Every whisper.
Every accusation.
Without waiting to be told, Ronan slowly dropped to one knee.
Then he lowered his head.
“
