The Princess of Ash novel · Chapter 17 of 24

Chapter 17: The Pyre Is Lit

"At dawn," said Lord Hask to the burning hall, "Isaure Orme dies in Cinder Square."

Every head turned to him, and not one turned to the king.

"The traitor queen was condemned to the fire eleven years ago, and His Majesty's mercy stayed the sentence.

"That mercy has been abused.

"It is withdrawn."

My father opened his mouth, and looked at the hand Lord Hask had laid on the arm of his throne, and shut it again.

I saw that, and so did the court.

Then the captain's men were on the gallery stair, and I did not stay to see more.

Auren swung his left wing out beside the balcony rail.

I jumped.

The scales were hot under my boots, and I flung myself along them as the dragon rose.

We went out through the broken roof into an afternoon sky, and arrows whistled past us and fell short.

"I would have burned him," Auren said, low, under the wind.

"I know."

"I did not, because you were watching."

"I was," I said, and put my cheek against the ridge of his neck.

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