The Queen They Tried to Forget

Chapter 4: The Boy Behind the Throne

The throne corridor was cold.

Elara walked with Mara, General Daven, and two guards who had changed sides. Her silver gown lit the stone walls, but the corridor seemed to swallow the light.

At the throne chamber doors, they found no guards.

That was worse.

The doors opened by themselves.

Inside, candles covered the room. The Regent stood beside the royal throne, one hand resting on the armrest.

"Welcome back," he said.

Elara stepped inside.

The doors slammed shut behind her group.

"The old palace knows blood," the Regent said. "But it also knows keys. I have held more keys than you for twelve years."

Elara ignored him. "Where is he?"

The Regent gestured toward the curtain behind the throne.

A guard pulled it aside.

A young man sat bound in a chair. He was thin, pale, and dressed in plain white linen. When he lifted his head, Elara's breath caught.

He did not look like her.

He looked like their mother.

"His name is Lucien," the Regent said. "Born three years after you. Hidden by your mother."

Elara stepped forward.

Lucien looked at her. "I knew you lived."

The words nearly broke her.

"Why keep him alive?" she asked.

"Because a spare heir is useful," the Regent said. "A dead princess made me regent. A hidden prince made me secure."

Lucien looked at the throne. "He cannot wear the crown. Only blood can wake it. He needed one of us alive."

Elara understood.

The gown. The bell. The crown.

Succession had begun.

The Regent pulled a dark blade from his coat.

Mara stiffened. "Ironshade."

A forbidden metal. Made to cut royal magic.

The Regent pressed the blade to Lucien's throat.

"Choose," he said. "Your crown, or your brother."

Lucien met Elara's eyes.

"Do not choose me."

A thin line of blood appeared at his throat.

Elara lifted her hands slowly.

The crown in her hair began to dim.

"You win," she said.

The Regent smiled.

Behind him, Lucien's bound hands began to glow.