Windburn (The Elemental Series #4)(73)

As we approached the Spiral, I was not surprised to see the crowd of people. They parted for us, but not with deference. I did not care. My father stood on the steps of the Spiral. Fern was nowhere to be seen. I put a hand on Ash. “Where is Fern and the baby?”

The words had barely left my lips when I knew. He shook his head and spoke only one word. “Cassava.”

My heart thumped hard against my chest. Poor Fern. Of all the people in our family, she had cared for me in her own way. Had stood up for me against my father.

At least she would be at peace where she was, though it was a small comfort.

The man I called my father raised both hands in the air as we drew close.

“I will name my heir so there will be no dissension in our home.”

He paused, saw me, and his shoulders sagged. “Larkspur, I will deal with you in a moment.”

Bella was there with him, as was Briar. All my father had left were two girls to choose from.

Bella’s eyes met mine and I forced a smile for her. She blinked back tears as she put a hand to her heart. I did the same.

My father spoke. “My people, I have seen the error of my ways. My sons were not worthy of being named heir.”

I clutched the paper in my hand, crinkling it. If he named Briar, I would have to say something. I prayed he would name Bella.

“My heir will be my youngest daughter, Briar.”

The crowd cheered and it felt as though the weight of the Wretched Peaks had crawled onto my shoulders. There was only one thing I could do.

I held up my hand. “Stop.”

A gasp rippled through the crowd, followed closely by my name.

“I have evidence that you are not in your right mind, that Cassava and Blackbird have stripped you of your ability to rule, to make the best choices for this family.”

I approached and held the paper out to Bella. “Bella, read this, please.”

She did, her voice stumbling until she got to the part about me being named heir. Her eyes shot to mine and she grinned. “By your own hand, Father, you have named Larkspur your heir and rightful ruler to your throne.”

By law, there was nothing he could do. The letter pre-dated his naming of Vetch as heir.

His face paled, and from behind him I saw a glimmer of my mother. Whether it was her spirit or the mother goddess come to watch the game, I didn’t know and didn’t care. She placed a hand on him. I looked around; no one else was looking at her.

Spirit whispered through me, and I knew Spirit was the reason only I could see her.

“I will not recant,” my father whispered, his eyes locking on mine. “I . . . name Larkspur as the heir to my throne and the next queen of the Rim.”

The crowd went to their knees around me.

How easy would it be to take the throne? I looked at Ash and Cactus. I could have them both.

I glanced at Briar, who looked relieved, and then to Bella. She nodded. “Take it, Lark. I will stand with you in this.”

But I was not the best one for the job. I was a half-breed. A Terraling needed to be on the throne of the Rim. A place I no longer belonged.

“I refuse.”

My father’s eyes widened even as Bella’s closed. “Excuse me?”

The mother goddess shook her head and spoke directly to me. “I will let you suffer his madness if you do not accept this. I want you here, on the throne, Larkspur.”

Again with the machinations. “Bella is the best choice. She is trained as a diplomat, she is trained as a Princess. I am trained as an Ender, and I would serve her as my queen. It would be my honor to place her life above my own.” I went to one knee and bowed my head to Bella.

“You would give up your right to the throne?” My father’s voice was incredulous.

A calm surety flowed through me, Spirit calming me. “Yes. Bella is the best choice. If you choose Briar, I will force your hand as your spoken heir.”

Again the crowd gasped. I dared to lift my eyes. My father stared at me with little emotion on his face. Fern and his child were gone, killed by Cassava. He had no other heirs awaiting him besides his three daughters.

“Belladonna.” He held a hand out to her. “Will you take this responsibility your sister so thoughtlessly casts aside?”

She placed her hand in his, but not before looking at me. Her eyes were troubled. Perhaps she didn’t like the thought of being chosen last. Yet I felt the certainty of my choice the same as I’d felt when I’d named Samara as heir. Belladonna was the one who should rule.

“Yes. It would be my honor.” She spoke clearly, so all could hear her.

The mother goddess backed away, and as she released my father, his eyes snapped to me, flickering with anger.

“You chose to use a Tracker. You broke our laws. You defiled the Eyrie, earning yourself the name Destroyer. You killed Sylphs. You’ve killed Salamanders. You’ve killed Terralings and Undines.”

I swallowed hard, knowing what was coming. “I have. And I would do it again to protect those I love.”

“That is one law too many broken. Your death awaits.” There was no malice in him, only a deep sadness and confusion that permeated the air.

“Then so be it,” I whispered, staying where I was.

Cactus pushed forward. “No. I called on the Tracker. I broke that rule. One less to punish her with, then. You cannot kill her.”