Chapter 35 · The Black Gate Hits the Capital

"Take your hand off her."

The royal bone guard's fingers tightened around my wrist instead.

His glove bit into the numb flesh. Black bone plates covered his shoulders, each one carved with the crown seal of the capital. Behind him, six more guards blocked the city gate with hooked spears.

Varan stepped forward.

The crowd moved back before he said a word. His coat dragged over the stone, dark with road dust and blood. Kaiser stayed at my other side, smiling like he already knew which guard would die first.

"You heard him," Kaiser said. "Let go."

The guard looked from him to Varan, then down at my crown mark.

"Sula Morton," he announced. His voice carried across the packed bridge. "By order of the royal council, you are barred from entering the capital. Your hands are to be taken for marrow crimes, treason, and the murder of a noble heir."

A few people in the crowd gasped.

Good.

They were listening.

I twisted against the guard's grip. "Then say the whole charge. Don't hide behind a gate and a borrowed title."

His thumb pressed into the inside of my wrist. Pain flashed up my arm.

"Careful," he warned.