The Shadow Throne (The Ascendance Trilogy, #3)(77)

Imogen and I were married a little over a year later, in the great hall of my castle, as I had promised her. She wore my mother’s wedding gown, carefully saved away all these years, and a wreath of miniature roses in her hair. The hall was filled to its capacity, and the courtyard outside was just as thickly packed, awaiting our first appearance as king and queen, husband and wife.

Tobias and Amarinda had married several months earlier and were happier than ever. They lived well here in the castle, and my friendship with them both had only strengthened since the war’s end. He had become apprenticed to the castle physician, a profession that ensured he would continue finding ways to frustrate me, at least as often as I found ways to injure myself.

I would always be grateful to them for saving Mott’s life. He moved slower than he used to, and I knew the wound he’d suffered still gave him pain. Although he would never fight again, I hoped to lead a kingdom where it would never again be necessary. He spent our entire first conversation after his recovery lecturing me for my usual failings of recklessness, but ended it by promising to serve me with even greater loyalty. I wasn’t sure that was possible.

Fink held the ring for Imogen and gave it to me when the priest called for it. He winked at me, hoping for congratulations that he had managed not to lose it. That actually was a significant accomplishment and I gave him a wink back. Fink had become a younger brother to me. Every bit as annoying. Every bit as valuable.

Roden and Harlowe had spent most of the past year learning to know each other as father and son. Roden had been the one to tell him of their connection, though he’d waited several days after the war’s end to find the right moment. I’d had little to do with their reunion, but Harlowe’s gratitude to me was as warm as the day I’d saved Nila’s life. Roden spent the bulk of his free time with his father, immersed in the education he should have had throughout his life. But he remained the captain of my guard and was growing continually more confident in his role. Under his command, Carthya would eventually rebuild an army strong enough to always keep us free.

My fears that Harlowe might abandon his attentions to me had turned out to be unfounded. Over the past several months I have come to understand that love can only expand and allow any number into its circle. Harlowe might have come to love me as a son, and yet I felt I had come to an understanding with my own father too. For the first time in my life, I was settled in my ways of thinking about him.

Immediately after the battle’s end at Farthenwood, I had relinquished my title as king of the pirates and given the rule entirely to Erick. As far as I knew, he continued to lead them. Even still, their brand remained on my forearm, and a part of me would always belong to them. If ever they called for me in a time of need, I was bound by oath to answer.

It had been a difficult year in rebuilding Carthya. We had lost far too many men, and full recovery was at least a generation away. But each day was better, and nothing remained to threaten us.

Certainly not Avenia. Commander Kippenger had taken the throne and presided over a much diminished country. I had urged him to build schools, not weapons, and so far he seemed to have taken my advice. After tough negotiations, Gelyn and Carthya gradually reopened trading routes, though I kept a standing army on our northern border now. And the relationship was warming with Mendenwal. In fact, anticipating an eventual child for Imogen and me, King Humfrey had offered a treaty of betrothal with one of his grandchildren. Although his intentions were well meant, we kindly rejected his offer.

And on the night of my wedding, I held Imogen close in my arms with no thought of ever releasing her. Better still was that Imogen held me too. She was my family, my life, and the center of my world.

All that I knew was at peace.





With every released book of this series, my appreciation to others spreads wider and flows deeper. The Scholastic family has shown unwavering support and expertise in the various ways in which they have influenced this book. Thank you a thousand times over. Once each book has released into the world, I cannot adequately express my thanks to the bookstore geniuses, teachers, and librarians who have put a copy in a young person’s hands, to bloggers who have spread the word, and to readers and fans from all over the world who have continued to read and share your enthusiasm with me and with others. You do make a difference, and if it were possible, I would thank you each by name.

There are a few who must be specifically listed here. First of all, my husband, Jeff, who is and always will be the love of my life. Without him, and the support of my three children, I would not be where I am today. Thanks as well to my fabulous agent, Ammi-Joan Paquette, infinitely amazing, and among the best in this business. And final thanks to my editor, Lisa Sandell. Working with you is proof that the stars do align and still remain in their place today. As we turn the pages for the next chapter, I would want nobody else at my side, as editor, willing accomplice, and friend.

Toni Morrison said, “If there’s a book you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” And so I did. Thank you all for reading.





JENNIFER A. NIELSEN is the author of the New York Times bestselling The False Prince and The Runaway King, the first two books in The Ascendance Trilogy. She collects old books, loves good theater, and thinks that a quiet afternoon in the mountains is a nearly perfect moment.

A major influence in Jaron’s story came from the music of Eddie Vedder and one of his greatest songs, “Guaranteed.” From his line “I knew all the rules, but the rules did not know me,” Jaron was born. Jaron’s personality is his own, but Jennifer did borrow two of his traits from a couple of students she once taught in a high school debate class. One of them was popular, brilliant, and relentlessly mischievous. He could steal the watch off a person’s wrist without their knowing and would return it to them later, usually to their embarrassment. The other student had a broad spectrum of impressive talents, not the least of which was his ability to roll a coin over his knuckles. If he had wanted to, he’d have made a fine pickpocket. As it was, he went on to become a lawyer. Go figure.