Chapter 18: What He Gave Away

Soren's POV

I had no ring on my hand, and my hand felt strange.

I stood alone in the north gallery above the throne hall, where the wind came through the open arches.

I waited for her to find me.

I knew what she would say.

I had stood on that dais and given away the one thing my father had raised me to hold.

I had done it without asking her, and I had done it for her.

It was the wagons again, only larger.

Below me, the court was still arguing.

I could hear my uncle's voice carrying up the stairwell, smooth and pleased.

I had promised her I would never be a cage.

I had not promised that I would stop deciding things for her, and I had just done it in front of two courts.

Footsteps came up the stair, quick and hard.

I did not turn around.

"You did it again," Rhiannon said.

"I know."

"Without asking me."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Are you?"

I turned.

She stood at the top of the stair in her plain dark dress, with her braid half undone and the moon-lines faintly lit on her wrists.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she was furious.

"No," I said. "I'd do it again. I'm sorry I didn't ask."

"You are the stupidest man in two kingdoms."

"Yes."

"I told your father no. I had it handled."

"You said no to a cage, and he said you couldn't be queen, and I couldn't listen to it. I'd have burned the hall."

"So you gave away your crown instead."

"Yes."

She crossed the gallery and stopped in front of me.

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