Chapter 13: Her Father's Sash

"Because I was eighteen," I said.

I kept my eyes on Verity and off Alaric's face.

"I had no parents, one cat and a wedding in the morning to a man who loved the girl from the river."

"I decided I would be wanted for myself or not at all."

"How touching," Verity said.

She turned to the clerk. "Write that down. She admits she hid it."

The clerk, who looked about nineteen, wrote it down.

"She admits she was a girl," Alaric said. "Strike the rest."

"I record what is said, Majesty."

"Then record this. If any harm comes to her on the road, you answer to me."

The clerk's pen stopped.

Verity's smile did not.

"The summons has a second paragraph, Alpha," the clerk said, and unrolled the scroll further.

"If you do not appear, the Council will declare the Willowmere seat vacant and the island's charter forfeit."

"Forfeit to whom?" I said.

"To the Lorne packs, Alpha. As the nearest holder."

I looked at Verity.

She was examining her nails.

Footsteps pounded on the stairs.

Edith came down the corridor in her coat over her nightgown, holding a brass candlestick.

"Is the king dead?" she said.

"Not yet," I said.

"Pity. I had a speech." She looked at the clerk and lowered the candlestick a very little. "Who's this?"

"The Council's messenger," Alaric said. "He is leaving."

He left.

Verity left after him, humming.

The corridor smelled of lavender for a long time afterwards.

"I'll send the royal cutter for you," Alaric said. "It sails the day before the festival."

Keep reading free with an account. Start He Dethroned His Queen, Now He Wants Her Home from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.