She Dreamed Her Empire Would Burn, So She Set Out to Break Four Collars novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: The Circlet

Nimeriel met the Chancellor on her own staircase, in a dressing gown, with her hair unbound.

Twenty guards in grey filled the landing below.

Behind her, Ashgar stood in the doorway of her room with the broken collar hanging off his neck and Ru's scarf wrapped around his shoulders.

Ru had tied it there without a word.

"Good morning, Highness," said Veridian.

"It's very early."

"The Tree woke in the night. All the roots in the Heartgarden turned toward this tower." His voice was quiet, concerned, a little sad. "And one of my officers reports that a collar has failed."

"A collar failed," she said. "It happens. Brannoch said the wood was flawed."

"Did he?"

Brannoch's rumble came from the room behind her.

"The batch was green. I told the Crown."

"I'm sure you did." The Chancellor smiled. "I'd like to see it."

"It's in the forge."

"Then I'll go to the forge."

"I'll come with you," said Nimeriel, and started down the stairs.

His hand closed gently around her wrist.

It was a kind, warm hand, and it was stronger than it looked.

"Highness. There is no need. Truly." His voice dropped, so that only she could hear. "Whatever has happened up there, it can be put right. A very small thing. A little time with the Tree, a little quiet. I'd hate for it to become a matter for the Emperor."

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