Chapter 17: The Crown on the Floor

The Moon Court argued for an hour as the debate shifted.

Six elders wanted the crown to stand.

Five wanted it gone.

The eldest sat on the seat between them, with his hand raised for quiet.

"Majesty," he said. "You may speak in your own defence."

Evander stood up from the accused's chair and did not reach for the crown.

"I have nothing to say that Lady Dray hasn't already said," he said. "It's all true."

A murmur ran through the benches.

"I was twelve when my father buried her mother in the mine."

"I said nothing, because I was twelve and afraid of him."

"I was twenty-three when she poisoned him. I saw what she had done and I understood why."

"You let a murderer go," one of the five said.

"I did."

"You paid her every season for ten years."

"I did that too."

"Why?"

"Because she was my sister," Evander said. "And because I thought if I kept her fed and warm, she would never want to hurt anyone again."

He looked at Elspeth.

She looked away first.

"I was wrong," he said. "I'll say it in front of this court and every wolf in the kingdom."

"My mercy gave her a pack to hide in and a healer to hunt."

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