Page 110 of Of Kings and Thieves
“Of course.” Scarlet nodded.
As the night deepened, the bonfire’s flames rose higher, casting flickering shadows across the courtyard. The laughter and banter of the Ironguard mingled with the clinking of glasses as they toasted our future together. I stood at the edge of the merriment, my gaze lost in the dance of the flames, my thoughts turning inward.
The journey that had brought me here seemed almost surreal: from dutiful if flawed daughter to fierce warrior, from outcast to future queen. My heart swelled with gratitude, but also ached for those I’d lost along the way. Alone, I raised a glass to my father, Flint, Rose, and little Thomas, silently vowing to honor their memories by building a better future for Iron Deep, and to continue to seek justice for The Harrow’s crimes.
As night fell, the revelry wound down. Exhaustion tugged at my limbs, the day’s events catching up to me. I found a quiet spot near the dying bonfires, sinking onto a bench.
So much had changed since I’d arrived in Iron Deep. I had found love, purpose, a home. Grief and loss had shaped me, but into what, I wasn’t sure yet.
A wistful smile curved my lips. If my mother could see me now, about to become queen... Would she be proud? An ache squeezed my heart, a hollow place inside that would never quite heal. I wished for her guidance, her wisdom. She would have known the right words to soothe my doubts and fears.
“What has you smiling like that?” Col’s voice rumbled beside me as he sat, draping an arm around my shoulders.
I leaned into his warmth. “Just thinking of how far we’ve come. How different life is now.”
Col pressed a kiss to my temple, humming softly. “It hasn’t been an easy road.”
“I know.” I laced my fingers through his, squeezing tight.
He claimed my lips in a sweet, lingering kiss. When we parted, a yawn escaped me, and Col chuckled.
“Time for bed, I think.” He stood, drawing me up with him. “We have a little sister to tuck in as well.”
As if on cue, Laney, still awake with limitless energy, raced over to us, throwing her arms around my waist. “Can I sleep in your room tonight?” she asked, blinking up at me with those too-big eyes.
I stroked her hair, smiling down at her. “Of course.”
She looked up at Col, who had just accepted another goblet of wine from Magnus.
“Can I have some?” she asked hopefully.
“When you’re older,” Col said, draining the goblet in one go and then picking her up with ease. We said our goodnights, and Laney beamed as we entered the castle. “What do you think about a song tonight?”
“I want the one about Bloodsong.”
I laughed. “That’s too long for tonight. You need your sleep.”
Laney’s lower lip pouted and she looked at Col, who was always more likely to give in than me.
Col gave me the same puppy dog expression. “It’s my coronation day.”
I laughed. “Yes it is. I suppose you get what you want tonight.”
Anything? he asked, his voice humming through me.
Yes, anything, but she has to sleep first.
“She’ll just sing the newest stanzas, then,” Col declared. “Because it’s late.”
Laney, sensing she had been swindled out of the full song, gave me a shrewd look.
And as we climbed the stairs, I began to sing of the sword, of Bloodsong and the tale of the Iron Raven.