The Mirror King (The Orphan Queen, #2)(33)

The crown prince strode up, James and a handful of guards behind him, and lifted his gaze to the destruction behind me.

“Look at what she did here.” The prince swept one hand toward the cathedral. His movements were intentionally stiff as though still recovering, but he commanded attention with the way he held himself and lifted his voice. “How many people were nearly crushed to death? How many were nearly consumed by the fire? How many were nearly trampled?”

The crowd seemed to hold its breath.

“And how many of us were saved because of her quick action?” Dust covered and sweating, the prince climbed the last few stairs and shouldered aside his uncle. He offered one hand to me.

I wasn’t ready to stand—not at all—but I placed my hand in his and let him take most of my weight as I lurched to my feet. My stomach flipped and I started to sway, but Tobiah planted his free palm flat on my back, steadying me.

“Are you all right, my lady?” His words were soft, for me only, but everyone was watching and listening. The police held up their arms, creating a human barrier.

I met the prince’s eyes and squashed the quiver in my voice. “Thank you, I’m fine.”

“Relieved to hear it.” The way his fingers closed over the cloth on my back said he knew I was lying.

Prince Colin pushed forward again. “The wraith creature was here for her,” he said. “And she used magic. Magic. This flasher will draw more wraith to us.”

Tobiah raised his voice again. “Princess Wilhelmina saved countless lives. While the wraith boy was indeed seeking her, she cannot control all of his actions. We all know how unpredictable wraith is. It wasn’t her fault the wraith boy came to find her any more than it’s a farmer’s fault when his cattle stampede.” Tobiah motioned for a decorated police officer to approach. “Chief Tegen, question everyone and find out whether there’s anyone missing. Get everyone’s names and addresses, and should anyone dare insist my dear friend Princess Wilhelmina is responsible for what happened here, you are to correct them.”

I cleared my throat.

Both men glanced at me; Tobiah’s expression softened.

“You’re right, of course.” He looked back to Chief Tegen. “Forget I said that last part. Find out what they believe happened tonight. But if anyone makes any sort of threat against Wilhelmina’s life, you will alert me immediately.”

“Of course, Your Highness.” Chief Tegen bowed and departed.

“Where’s the carriage?” Tobiah asked James.

“It should be here momentarily.”

“Very good.”

“Nephew—”

Tobiah faced his uncle, his arm still around me. “Thank you for your concern, but I have everything under control.” His tone grew bored. “You’re free to return to the palace.”

Prince Colin narrowed his eyes at me, the crown prince’s arm around me, and the close way we stood. But he left, a handful of guards in his wake.

It seemed like ages before the carriage arrived, clattering down the cathedral drive. It was a small vehicle, meant to quickly slip through narrow streets.

“This way.” Tobiah guided me down the stairs, and when I stumbled, he dug his fingers into my side and took all my weight. I hoped no one else could see how weak I was, but I was too exhausted to do much about it, or protest that the prince was still recovering.

Tobiah escorted me down the last set of stairs only after the police had pushed back the crowd. My knee gave out as I climbed onto the velvet-covered bench, but his support never flagged. One hand curled around my shoulder. The other kept tight around my fingers. He held me steady.

When I was seated, I looked over his shoulder to see what remained of the cathedral.

Most of the building had collapsed, with only a few walls reaching up like teeth of a mutilated lower jaw. Rubble pattered down the stairs, and dust blew in a pale column over the destruction.

Two centuries of service as a religious sanctuary, built using pre-wraith methods we’d never again be able to replicate, and one of the most iconic buildings of Skyvale: gone. Destroyed in less than a quarter hour.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“Don’t apologize. You saved everyone from being caught in that.” Tobiah angled himself toward the others. “Sergeant Ferris, please escort Her Highness back to the palace. Her companions will take the next carriage.”

Theresa stepped forward. “I’d like to remain with Wilhelmina.” Her gaze darted to my hand, still in Tobiah’s.

“I’m sure that would be a comfort to both of you. Please.” Tobiah moved aside, releasing my hand as he helped Theresa into the carriage. Sergeant Ferris took the seat next to Theresa. Tobiah addressed him. “Place extra guards on both Aecorian suites tonight. Hallways and balconies. If anyone abandons their posts tonight, they will be dishonorably discharged from the Order and their families disgraced. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Tobiah offered me a curt nod, and then shut the door. “James!” he called, voice muffled now. “Come with me. We need to—”

Whatever he said was cut off by the clip-clop of horse hooves on cobblestone as our carriage jerked into motion. Lights blurred past as we drove through Hawksbill. I closed my eyes.

My bedroom was dim and quiet when I sat up, covers puddling at my waist. “Rees?”