Crown of Smoke

Chapter 25

        “Even if you were Guinevere Cavenair,” Kaleb said, once it became clear there was no more resistance, “you no longer had any right to this kingdom. You are no longer anything at all, girl. There is a new monarchy, a new heir, and soon there will be a new empire.”

            “Is raising the price of foreign goods because you’re warring them to oppress the people of those lands like you oppress your own people an empire to you?” Gwen called back, once again taken by her own confidence, something that came only when she was fuelled by her incandescent rage. “Empire my arse.”

            Once again, she heard Hayden laugh next to her. Not exactly what he had taught her in her princess lessons, but it seemed to do the trick all the same as the crowd began to bubble with chatter onc