Chapter 3They Should Have Killed Me

I stepped out from the ranks and bowed at the center of the hall. "Your Majesty, I ask leave to question Corveth's envoys."

There was a brief silence behind the screen. "Granted."

I turned toward the delegation. "Why does Corveth's tribute register omit the three frontier cities it seized from Thalenor five years ago?"

Halden Rook went pale. "Lord Marshal... I was charged only with delivering tribute. The question of cities is beyond my authority."

"Beyond your authority?" I smiled. "Then carry this message home. Thalenor will have those cities back. Return them willingly, and we will reduce the tribute by one third. Refuse, and I will come for them myself."

"Elowen!" Cedric shot to his feet, face livid. "This is a diplomatic settlement. What place does one woman have threatening war in the middle of court?"

I looked at him with a faint smile. "When I broke your frontier army, one of your commanders asked much the same question. He died on my blade before he got an answer."

The color came and went in his face.

The envoys behind him were trembling. Rook bowed almost double. "Lord Marshal, I will deliver your words exactly. I swear it."

"Good." I returned to my place and bowed toward the screen. "I have finished."

A quiet laugh came from behind the screen.

The herald announced the end of court.

Ministers filed out. Cedric and Rosamund were being helped from the chamber when Rosamund suddenly caught my sleeve.

"Elowen..." Her voice broke. "Can we talk?"

I stopped, looked down at the hand gripping my sleeve, and slowly pulled the fabric free.

"Crown Princess, remember yourself."

Then I walked from the hall without looking back.

Her muffled sob followed me.

I did not slow. I headed directly toward the carriage waiting outside the palace gates.

My deputy commander, Lucan Greaves, leaned against the wheel and looked up as I approached. "How did it go?"

"Everything is in place. Now we wait for the last piece to move."