The Mirror King (The Orphan Queen, #2)(29)

Eyebrows drawn inward, he pressed his palm to his stomach. “It feels like it should hurt.”

I stopped myself before reaching to press my palm atop his.

“I need to prepare for the memorial and coronation. But I will join you sometime. I promise.” His eyes locked with mine. “I miss Black Knife.”

“Me too.”





TEN


PRIOR TO KING Terrell’s memorial, Theresa arrived at my quarters to prepare for the ceremony. I donned one of the splendid gowns the late king had commissioned for me. It had been part of his plan to marry Melanie and me to some lucky noblemen from the Indigo Kingdom and fulfill his obligation as our guardian. He’d done his best, truly.

The entry hall was packed with people waiting for their carriages. A few people glanced my way as Theresa and I arrived, with Sergeant Ferris in tow.

The other Ospreys hovered around the far edges of the hall, shifting uncomfortably in their suits. When Connor spotted me, he straightened and nudged the others, and all three boys grinned as they moved to join us. “Wil! Rees!” As if they hadn’t seen us in weeks, rather than hours.

The display drew curious looks, which none of them noticed.

“Took you long enough to get ready.” Carl’s pockets hung heavily at his hips. Later, I’d have to find the owners of whatever he’d stolen, and have everything returned discreetly.

“This way, Your Highness.” A footman signaled our carriage’s arrival, and I pulled my lacy shawl tight as our group snaked through the room.

Our carriage was white with red trim, and spread-winged ospreys painted across the top. Tobiah’s doing, no doubt.

The interior was crowded, but the journey was mostly pleasant, with the boys admiring a clock installed in one of the doors. Carl and Kevin held a whispered debate over what was worth more: the gold clock hands, or the gear mechanisms in the back.

I reached across them and drew the curtains over the windows. Although it was unlikely we’d be threatened during the journey through Hawksbill, I didn’t want my rowdy companions to draw too much attention. The bright birds on the carriage already singled us out.

If Melanie had been here, she’d have filled the ride with polite talk and charm. As it was, Kevin asked questions about which nobles lived in which mansions, and Sergeant Ferris—perhaps unwisely—told him about fortunes made by inheritance, entrepreneurship, and scandal.

The sun touched the horizon just as we reached the Cathedral of the Solemn Hour, an immense pre-wraith building of sparkling white stone. It boasted three square towers, innumerable arches, and hollow places where there used to be windows. Those had been blown out the night of the Inundation, and not yet repaired with emergency shipments of glass from nearby towns and cities, like the palace and several Hawksbill homes. Now the empty frames looked like eye sockets. Blind, but always watching.

Our carriage pulled up the long drive, past gardens and statues and fountains. An enormous line of people waited at one side of the drive, some standing, but most sitting. Police officers paced the line, keeping people from spilling into the carriages’ path, but as we rolled by, voices lifted. Just before the curtains fell shut, I caught glimpses of people pointing at us.

“They’ll be admitted later,” said Ferris. “Once all the nobility is seated.”

“They look like they’ve been there all day.” Connor slumped in his seat. No one needed to confirm it.

The carriage halted and the door was opened. Sergeant Ferris climbed out first, wearing a hard scowl as he touched the sword at his hip. He gave a wary look around, then motioned for the others to emerge. Connor, Carl, Kevin, and Theresa. Once they were out, I scooted toward the door.

The thunder of voices crescendoed as the line of people waiting to enter the cathedral watched me emerge from the carriage. Their cries slowly shifted into a recognizable chant.

“Wraith queen! Flasher queen! Wraith queen!”

A few chanted “Black Knife!” instead, but they were the minority. Most shoved their fists into the air.

The Ospreys surrounded me, while Sergeant Ferris took the rear as we walked up the steps, past the first groups of people. Their chanting continued, and several reached out as though to touch me.

My heart thrummed and my hands slipped to my hips for daggers, but all I felt was silk and wool. I breathed through a surge of panic. Even unarmed, I could defend myself. There was nothing to be afraid of.

The police inserted themselves between the crowd and me, brandishing short swords and batons. It killed me not to look over my shoulder as I ascended the wide staircase, but I forced myself to remain tall and face forward, as though I trusted the police to protect me.

“Wow.” Connor brushed my hand as we climbed the last stairs. “They really don’t like you.”

“They’re punishing me for the Inundation.”

“But you didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

I squeezed his hand. “My intentions of learning about Mirror Lake were noble, but my choices in the wraithland were unwise. My choices led to the Inundation. I didn’t want people to get hurt, but they did anyway.”

And now the wraith was closer than ever. Already in the Indigo Kingdom.

“You could tell them what happened?”

“I think that would make it worse.” I shushed more questions. This wasn’t the time.