Chapter 36 · The Crown Picks Its Queen

"Take your hand off her, Kaiser, or I take it off for you."

Varan's voice cut through the throne hall just as the black gate dragged me another step forward.

My knees hit the marble. The crown mark burned across my palm, half swallowed by the gate's living iron. Every pull tore a hot line up my arm.

Kaiser stood behind me with one hand locked around my waist. His chest pressed to my back. His breath touched my ear, cool and sharp, but his fingers were shaking.

"If you pull me away," I gasped, "the gate takes my hand with it."

"I know."

"Then stop holding me like furniture."

His grip tightened. "I'm holding you together."

Across the hall, Varan shoved through three royal guards. Blood ran from his temple. His coat hung open, exposing the black cracks spreading over his ribs.

Aileen stood beside the royal bone vault with a knife in her hand and a smile that made my stomach twist.

"Look at them," she said. "The great Gault twins, fighting over a Morton girl while the capital watches."

"You stole my crown mark," I said.

Aileen tilted her head. "I wore it better.