n rose like a blade over Ikora's towers. In the Garden of Mirr

but their eyes were sharp. They spoke in wh

he little snake has done it. S

id, her voice low and cold. "Wrapped in his clo

g ignores us. He didn't call for wine, didn't attend court.

muttered. But at least that useless seraya is dow

alace - the distant clang of steel, the voices of ministers... and eshara

rol now," Lina

r below, in a cell beneath stone

××××××××××××

had never known

was thick with incense and unease. Advisors li

ed ti

h as Mila, the handmaiden, stepped i

med, her body trembling in fear from

tood beside him now, not behind. Her hand rested on the throne's arm-his ar

rl bow

Mila said soft

brings you here? If it is t

me because i know that the

s eyes

ched. "seeking

i don't know what happened but am sure t

own Seraya had an affair this and have k

growled. He rose

Do you know why you are s

nds tr

t her. A full

e gave a single

g Ser

ne, Eshara's finger

ueen felt a shift in the air as if

m the darkness beyond, two guards eme

Her hair was matted, her wrists bruised. But her eyes-thoug

and saw Kael o

m, the snake

imson and gold. Ser

knees again before the king. "Please, Your Majesty. Sh

tened. His knuc

tion what were you during at that time instead of being in the feast. Seraya couldn't say anythi

ed royal law. Spok

d. "I-I only spoke

ised hi

, In the squa

ourt

head weakly. "No

d. "If that is my punishment, I accept it. I

ned away from them all, his cloak

ain!" he roared. "Let no one

e exit, his guards s

soothe your spirit. You don't have to carry this rage alone..." But Kael didn't sto

×××××××××××××

s the fifty-seven kingdo

, from icebound citadels to desert palaces, banners we

ains of the 57 kingdoms are to appear at the Royal Square of

ions. Flags waved. Trumpets blar

l, the Square of Ikora reb

day dawned

nts, and kings from distant lands stood in respectful silence. The ga

m, the four wives, Lina, Velira, Rhana, and Eshara, watched from thei

ang out, deep

ms. In my palace, there shall be n

aise

egin the sentence. Fifty

through the air, and with it the pain began. Blood streaked down her back. Mi

lash

en

ir

e began t

el raised his hand

her, and Mila coll

's voice

. the seco

o crown, only chains. Her once-fine hair tangled, h

Kael, and he lo

ipped of your title as queen. You are to be remember

wd grew

on hers. "You will be a slav

followed. Then a

she cheat on the king." Th

te her!!. Voices fr

KING KAEL