Reign of the Fallen (Reign of the Fallen #1)(63)

“Now that that’s settled,” Hadrien says, stepping back to admire my decorated tunic, “I need your help, as I mentioned. The last time I saw His Majesty, very early this morning, we had received a raven from a baroness in Elsinor Province.” He pulls a piece of parchment from the pocket of his gold-trimmed doublet and hands it to me. “There are reports of Shade attacks in the area, and for some reason, the monsters aren’t retreating to the Deadlands as they usually would. With all my men currently committed to the search for King Wylding, I need you to go to Elsinor and put the Shade to rest before any more Karthians lose their lives.”

“What?” As the word leaves my lips, Hadrien frowns. I cross my arms. “Forgive me. But by my count, there are more necromancers in Elsinor than there are in Grenwyr. Why can’t they handle their own Shades? I’m needed here. I have to help Jax and Simeon search for the Shade-baiter and His Majesty.”

Even as I speak, my thoughts circle around the idea of a Shade coming out of the Deadlands to attack a province. They hate daylight. They wouldn’t have a reason, except . . . Vane once again creeps into my thoughts.

“If the Shade-baiter I mentioned can control the monsters, he might be responsible for the attacks in Elsinor, too,” I say slowly, thinking aloud. “Whether he’s the one who took the king or not, he has to be stopped.”

“I agree,” Hadrien says at last. “And the guards will find him, eventually. But helping the people of Elsinor must come first, as they have no more necromancers of their own. They need someone with training to slay the monsters before they get any stronger.”

“No more necromancers?” I blurt. “What are you—?”

“They’re dead.” The queen’s chill voice raises gooseflesh on my arms. Valoria shivers beside me. “All eight of Elsinor’s necromancers were slain by a Shade. I wish we’d known sooner—not that we’ve been in much position to help—but it seems to have happened as quickly as the raven flies.”

“And so, my Serpent, please say you’ll do this for me.” Hadrien’s voice simmers with barely controlled sorrow. “Don’t make me beg. My Eldest Grandfather is missing. I can’t worry about the people of Elsinor dying on my watch, too, and they have no one to deal with Shades now.” He lowers his voice, leaning toward me. “I’ll feel so much better if you see to it. Please, Sparrow. You’re the best, as His Majesty knew, and you’re the only one I trust.”

He draws back, his eyes glistening, and takes both my hands in his.

I open my mouth. But as I look from Valoria’s pale face to the queen clutching the arm of the throne for support, the words get stuck in my throat. Something doesn’t feel right. King Wylding never once ordered me away from his side no matter what was happening in the other provinces, and leaving Grenwyr City with him missing seems wrong. Maybe Elsinor does need me, but Grenwyr needs me more than ever, too.

Her Majesty echoes my thoughts. “Find my husband for me, Sparrow,” the queen pleads, sinking onto the throne. “I trust you more than any of the guards. I know you can do it. Then, of course, head to Elsinor afterward, by all means.”

I bow to her. “Yes, Majesty.” After all, with King Wylding gone, the queen is the one in charge, not Hadrien.

“Overruled,” Hadrien says, frowning apologetically. “Sparrow, please pack your things and head to Elsinor at once, to Abethell Castle. Since Baroness Abethell is the one who wrote to us, she should direct you to where you’re needed most. And hurry.” His expression is grim. “When word of the king’s disappearance gets out, we’ll have panic in the streets, and it could cost you precious hours.”

“Didn’t you hear what Eldest Grandmother said?” Valoria demands.

Hadrien nods, still frowning. “I did. And as acting regent, I’m overruling Eldest Grandmother’s wishes, with all due respect.” He runs a hand through his blond hair. “I’m sorry. I’m just doing what I think is right.” Looking pleadingly at me, he adds, “Tell me, Sparrow: If it came to saving him or his people, which would His Majesty have you choose?”

I don’t need to think about the answer. “His people.” He’s always sacrificing himself for us, after all.

“Then you understand why I think he’d want you to go to Elsinor.”

I nod, resigned to the task, but something is still bothering me. I ask in a whisper, “Why did Her Majesty appoint you regent, Highness? Is she unwell?”

“It’s the law,” Valoria says quickly, like she’s just remembered. “The laws of inheritance haven’t changed in Karthia in well over two hundred years. Like everything else. And the law in place before his reign said that if the current ruler could no longer sit on the throne for any reason, the crown would pass to the next living heir who’d come of age.” She blinks at Hadrien, her voice getting softer as she continues. “And since our father is dead, and Mother’s Dead, and Hadrien’s just turned eighteen . . .”

“The burden of the crown will pass to me if King Wylding isn’t found in the next thirty days,” Hadrien finishes.

He seems to have aged several years since I saw him last, at his birthday. If he had been born just a few weeks later, the queen would be the one giving orders now.

But it seems I have no choice other than to follow Hadrien’s command.