Page 42 of Queen’s Gambit

‘I wouldn’t be here if not for Lady Regnav, and in front of all these witnesses, I denounce any rumours of a marriage contract between my father and Reynard, King of Dagome.’ She looked around at the faces of those who couldn’t hide their shock. ‘If anyone holds evidence of such falsehood, I am here to testify that it is a forgery.’

She finished, and I nodded, exhaling when none protested. My relief was premature. Tova slipped from the crowd and stood next to Inga. I hadn’t planned for him to speak, but knowing Orenson, he wouldn’t keep his gob shut.

‘The dwarves of Wiosna won’t acknowledge any other queen. Sana helps those who need help, even at risk to her own life.’ He put his hands on his hips as if expecting a challenge. ‘We owe her our lives. Her efforts helped remove the madman who almost ended my people. We will never forget.’

Ciesko chimed in, his cheeks reddened from the wine.

‘And the Council of Mages approves. If you are worried that she’s the first vivamancer in Dagome’s history, let me vouch for her. Roksana is in full control of her power.’

Thank fuck he hadn’t seen the forest she’d created in our bedroom, I thought, and Riordan barked a suspicious cough. I turned to gauge Roksana’s reaction, but her lost expression as she stood motionless at the top of the dais, hands pressed to her chest, nearly made me empty the room.

They all meant well, and I only had myself to blame for starting it. Still, I didn’t know how much more of this she could take. Before more people could come forward to testify to her character, I seized the moment.

‘I promised this year would see the accession of a new queen. My choice was, and always will be, Roksana.’ I stepped towards the dais. Sana tilted her head, perfectly poised with a gentle smile, and only up close did I see how she grasped the fabric of her dress, how her pulse thrummed on her neck.

‘With all of Tir ha Mor as my witness, I ask you, Roksana Regnav, the King’s Shadow and Royal Vivamancer: will you consent to be my queen? Your father gave his blessing without reservation. Now I’m asking, do you accept me into your heart?’

I knelt before her. My hand reached for hers while my heart hammered like a war drum.

‘I consent,’ she whispered as I slid a small ruby ring onto her finger.

The ballroom erupted in cheers, some genuine, others forced by the situation. Tova’s reaction was bizarre. He approached us with a frown, tugging his beard.

‘May I ask where you got this ring, Your Majesty, and Sana’s necklace?’ he whispered, standing next to her while we accepted the flood of congratulations.

‘The necklace belonged to Sana’s mother, and the ring was a gift from Cinared’s vault. Why, what’s going on?’ I didn’t like the interrogative note in his tone.

Tova seemed to force a smile.

‘Nothing’s wrong, except that none of the stones came from the vault. They aren’t stones at all, and dwarves are forbidden from working them,’ he said, reaching for Sana’s hand and trailing a finger over the surface of the gem.

‘Why?’ she breathed.

‘Because they’re a piece of an elder race’s heart. Given, stolen, coerced. Cut from a living being, while the spirit trapped within remains,’ he said, and my blood ran cold.

The ruby for the ring. What did you give me? I demanded of my dragon. His voice in my head was calm, as if he expected my question.

My betrothal gift. A piece of my heart.