Cardan struggles to his feet. Balekin is up, too, striding across the room.
“Child, if you do not give that to me, I will cut you in half,” Balekin tells Taryn. “I will be the High King, and when I am, I will punish any who inconvenienced me.”
She holds it out, looking between Balekin and Vivi and me. Then she looks at all the lords and ladies watching her.
“Give me my crown,” Balekin says, walking toward her.
Lord Roiben steps into Balekin’s path. He presses his hand to Balekin’s chest. “Wait.” He hasn’t drawn a blade, but I see the shine of knives under his coat.
Balekin tries to push Roiben’s hand away, but he does not move. The Ghost has his crossbow trained on Balekin, and every eye in the room is watching him. Queen Orlagh is several steps away.
Violence hangs heavily in the ai
