Finding Her Magical King novel · Chapter 9 of 24

Chapter 9: The Crown

He dressed in the grey dawn with his back to me, and I watched the frost on his chest disappear under his shirt.

"It comes and goes," he said. "Don't look so worried."

"I'm not worried."

"You're gripping the sheet."

I let go of it.

He sat on the edge of the bed and took my left hand in both of his.

The mark was quiet.

"Sorrel, I don't know what you came here to do," he said. "I know you didn't come for a coat and a free ride to the capital."

My stomach turned over.

"I'm not asking you to tell me," he said. "I'm saying that if it's me you came for, then do it. I won't stop you."

I could not breathe.

"Why would you say that?"

"Because I've watched you look at the balcony for three days, and it's the only honest thing you've done." He kissed my knuckles. "And because I would rather you hurt me than lie to me."

He stood up and left me there with my hand still held out.

By noon the whole kingdom was watching.

The throne room at Highcastle was packed from the doors to the dais, and the cameras stood on tripods along the walls.

The crown lay on a red cushion in my hands.

I was in a white gown that someone had sent up at dawn, with a long train and sleeves to the wrist.

It covered the mark.

It covered nothing else I felt.

Thrale stood at the side of the dais in a ceremonial coat, with the pewter ring on his hand, and he gave me one small encouraging nod.

I walked the length of the aisle between two thousand faces.

I felt every one of them.

Anselm waited at the end, in the dark coat I had pinned, kneeling on the first step with his head bowed.

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