Chapter 45

Raising an eyebrow, Kit leaned in, having no idea what her mother was suggesting. “The people?”

“Yes. I can’t stand before them and show any sort of weakness. They will think I’ve lost all of my power and turn on me. So… I will allow you to make an argument for him, if that is what you wish. If you can convince the crowd that Jecobian should be spared, I shall come up with an alternative punishment. If you cannot, then he shall lose his head. Fair enough?”

She imagined herself standing out on the dais, appealing to the masses, begging them to spare Jecob’s life, and knew the chances were slim. Everyone seemed to love a good beheading, and the fact that the princess was asking them for mercy didn’t sound like much of a deterrent. But it was the best opportunity Jecob would have to live. “Yes, Your Majesty. That sounds fair. Thank you. Your grace is much appreciated.”

“Oh, don’t thank me, daughter. I assure you, convincing them will not be easy. And you can also be sure that the punishment I mete out will not be enjoyable. Jecobian has cost us more than you can possibly recognize. Not only has he put your very life at risk, he’s jeopardized my bloodline. If you were to contact that vile disease, you would be unable to have a child, which means I would have no heir, and the throne would pass to Avinia.”

Kit glanced over at Nill whose eyes were downcast, and she wondered if her aunt wasn’t secretly upset that her own daughter wouldn’t have the chance to rule thanks to Armant’s early discovery. “Yes, Mother,” Kit said quietly.

“And now,” Rona continued, “Eastbury will have two more weeks to come up with an alternative.”

Her eyebrows knit together, Kit examined the council again and thought she saw some pleased expressions, particularly on her grandmother’s wrinkled face. She remembered back to what Jecobian had told her, that a farmhand had come in second. Could it be Junno would’ve rather had that man as part of her Choosing, or was the council simply pleased that her mother hadn’t gotten her way?

Rona cleared her throat, and Kit’s eyes shifted back to her mother. “After the declaration and punishment in the morning, Eliason will head a detail back to Eastbury.”

“Eli?” Kit asked, not wanting to argue under the circumstances, but he’d just returned to the castle.

“He must be there,” Junno replied, her voice even. “For the voting.”

Kit nodded, but she wasn’t certain why that might be. He was no longer a noble, not that only noblemen could be chosen. A few of the Representatives were not.

“He is the clear choice for keeping the peace. Eastbury is volatile, and this will make it even more so. With any luck, this election will go more smoothly than the last, and that boy who came in second place will be back here soon enough.” The queen stopped to take a deep breath and shifted on her throne. “If they do not have a Representative back at Wrenbrook within the allotted time, their nomination is void.”

Once again, Kit’s head bobbed up and down. She knew that was the way the law read. “Yes, Mother. And what of the festivities already planned?”

“They shall go on as schedule. In fact, I received a dispatch earlier this morning that the Representative from Iceforge should be here shortly. So… if that is all, return to your chambers, do something about that wild mane of yours, and prepare to meet me on the dais for his arrival. He is the last. The first formal ball shall go on the night after next, and you shall be free to start making your selections.”

“Yes, Mother,” Kit said for what seemed like the hundredth time. Her stomach was in knots, and her mind kept slipping to poor Jecobian. She wondered where he might be, but there was no doubt in her mind that he was locked up somewhere, likely in one of the tower cells where he would be completely isolated. Thoughts of him waiting there to find out his fate made her shutter. He’d likely been beaten by her mother’s guards before he was thrown in there all alone. Now, he was probably assuming this would be his very last night alive.

“You may go, daughter.”

“Thank you, Mother.” Kit bowed and backed toward the door, looking up to catch her grandmother’s eyes. She was smiling, but Kit had no idea why. Perhaps she had lost her mind and didn’t realize that someone Kit cared for was about to suffer a terrible fate. Perhaps she knew this farm boy and was a fan of his. At any rate, Kit had nothing to smile about, and when she found herself standing in the hallway, it was all she could do to hold the tears back. Her hands flew to her face, and her knees began to buckle.

“Not yet,” Eli insisted, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and leading her away from the door. “Remember who you are, and walk out of here the same way you walked in.”

She managed to keep hold of herself long enough to turn and begin her way down the hall. “How I walked in?” she asked in a sharp whisper. “A mess? Someone who would’ve vomited all over the royal carpet if I’d had anything in my stomach to expel?”

He caught a chuckle in his throat as she eyed him harshly. “Kit, you did wonderfully. You gave Jecob the best chance he could possibly have to end tomorrow with his head still attached.”

“You heard?”

“I heard enough,” he replied. She’d always known those doors were not soundproof. “Now, come on. Let’s get back to your chambers.”

He was rushing her, and she appreciated it. Her strides weren’t nearly as long as his, and she felt as if she were running as she struggled to keep up. Thoughts of Jecob flooded her mind, and tears stung her eyes. She fought to keep them in as they passed several people in the hall, some nobles, some workers, even a few of the Representatives, though none she was particularly fond of. The men had sympathetic looks on their faces. Kit imagined they knew what had transpired. Eventually, she was in the hallway near her chambers, and just when she thought she could no longer keep herself from breaking down, Eli pulled her through the door to her private room.