The good news is that I have the stone. I slip it in my pocket at the same time Soren grabs the silver crown from Leith’s head. He raises it in the air, triumphant. Instead of putting it on, he drops it to the ground and smashes it with his boot.
The crowd starts chanting his name, but he shakes his head. “I am not the king for you.”
“But you are,” I say. “You’re Torsuld’s son. The rightful king.”
“That may be true, but I can’t rule this land. I have a Shadow Army to defeat...with you.”
I beam a smile. “I’m glad to have you by my side, but the first order of affairs is dealing with Leith.”
“How to contain him?”
“I was more thinking destroy.” I scan our surroundings. “Well, we did have a cage for a criminal.” I point to the singed wooden raven. “Although it needs some repairs.”
“I don’t think it’ll hold against his firepower.”
I toss the stone in my hand and catch it. “Ah, but I think he’s pretty much useless without this.”
We both race toward Leith and I refreeze him with my frost fae magic, starting with handcuffs like I’m making an arrest. My heart longs for home but glancing past the castle walls to the sea, I know there is more work to be done.
Soren follows my gaze and then gasps. He leans forward, squinting toward the harbor. He makes a loud whoop. “A boat.”
Everyone still standing turns in the direction of the water as forest fae flutter into view with a boat suspended between their beating wings as they lower it into the water.
Thea alights on the castle wall. “We received word from Vespertine you might be in need of something that floats. While it’s not our specialty, we are skilled with woodworking.” She glances over her shoulder toward the forests beyond the Raven’s Landing wall.
The compass feels heavy in my pocket.
“Thank you,” I say.
She smiles warmly.
“The people will rebuild and make Raven’s Landing great again,” Soren says.
“I have no doubt it will shine.” Thea gives us a regal bow and rejoins the other fae.
While the Rising helps with the wounded, I don’t take my eyes off Leith. He’s frozen in a permanent leer and I have to admit, it gives me the major creeps.
Ravens perch on the buttresses, battlements, the wall, and countless other surfaces. All of them focus a watchful eye on Leith.
“They came,” I say when Soren comes over.
He nods. “I feared I’d remain in the shifted state.”
“Maybe the curse didn’t apply since you weren’t born yet when Leith cursed your father.”
“What I do know is that shifting works up a fierce appetite.”
He slings his arm over my shoulder and we walk to the tavern.
Trotter waits along with a stout woman standing at his side. She leans heavily on the counter.
“Francie,” Soren calls, drawing her into a friendly hug.
“I heard you were brave.” Her voice is thin as though she’s recovering from being sick and I notice a stain on her teeth—perhaps, she had a stijl problem.
“Not only me. All of us. And you too. Glad to see you’re feeling better.”
“Remember, I promised that I’d bake you brown bread and I think that day won’t be long off now.”
Soren smiles.
A group of rowdy and soot-covered people rushes into the room, hooting and hollering.
Soren snorts a laugh and takes a seat with Gerda—I give them some space to talk about the past. Soren got some big news after all.
Meanwhile, groups of the Rising sit in clusters—some rowdy with triumph and others deep in despair over losing loved ones and friends. I’m not sure whether to be thrilled or preoccupied. There is still much to come. I have to find my sisters and stop the other false kings. After I eat a hearty bowl of stew, a stark reality hits me.
Soren has a crown and I have a compass.
“Where does this leave us?” I ask him when he breaks from talking with Gerda—not necessarily looking like he resolved things.
His smile doesn’t reveal we’re meant to part ways. “What do you mean?”
“You have a kingdom to rule. I have a mission to complete.”
“Remember what I said about being by your side when this is over?”
“But it’s not over.”
“True, but you’re stuck with me unless you’d rather—”
My hand winds around his chest and I press my cheek to his heart. His raven’s heart.
“We go? We go together,” he says into my hair. “We fly? We fly together.”
“We sail?” I ask.
“We sail together.”
We announce our plan and some people want to come with us including Gerda while others prefer to remain behind and rebuild Raven’s Landing. A trio, including Trotter, is assigned to lead in Soren’s absence.
As Trotter clears our bowls, he says, “You’ll be back, right?”
“As soon as possible. And if I’m not within twelve moons, get worried. But did you know I was Torsuld’s son?” Soren asks him.
His beard twitches. “There was a network of us enlisted to look after you.”
“And keep my identity from me.” Bitterness laces Soren’s voice.
“Your mother thought it was for the best. At least until you were ready. She never foresaw what Leith was going to do, but there was no telling what he’d do to you had he known.”
Soren thinks about this for a long moment. “Thank you.”
“Be safe out there and remember, the throne is waiting. Also, Francie owes you some brown bread.”
“In that case, I promise to return.” He winks.
“I keep hearing about this famed brown bread and I’d definitely like a slice.”
The two men give each other a
