Chapter 72

Chapter

Seventy-Two

ALYX

T he sun is barely over the horizon, but we have things to do, even covered in blood. I follow my men through the palace. Doors have been broken and buildings are half burnt from the riot. I find it strange that to get peace, you have to incite violence. They stand there, waiting, as everything ended when they realised the truth—the king is back.

The crowd parts for us as we head towards the throne room, and when I glance back, I see everyone falling into step behind us.

The palace is damaged, but it will heal. Everything is as it should be.

Why do I feel hollow?

This time when I enter the throne room, I do it as me, Alyx the assassin. All my secrets and scars are bare for them to see and judge. I hide nothing.

This is who I am.

This is who they made me.

Joha stops before his throne and turns to face the crowd of lords and ladies, scholars and soldiers. Uppers and Lowers stand as one, nervously staring at their king. I step back to allow him his moment, fading into Orion’s and Crux’s sides. My secret is out. I am not their princess.

Everything will change, but it doesn’t matter.

My eyes go to Joha once more. It doesn’t matter, not as long as he’s safe and where he should be—leading our kingdom.

He clears his throat, drawing every eye. Dressed in clothing from the Lowers, he should look out of place, but if anything, he has never looked more like a king. Without a crown, he stands tall, his enemy’s blood on him.

Gods, I love this man.

“There has been a lot of upheaval and unrest within the kingdom. I am here to assure you of our prosperity and the righting of wrongs. The throne is once more mine, where it belongs. The usurper is gone and will never threaten this kingdom again. Blood has been spilled, lives have been lost, and we will mourn for what has been taken, but just as the sun rises once more this dawn, so shall our kingdom. I stand with you, every one of you, and once the debris and death has been washed away, we will be reborn. Our kingdom is strong, our people are even stronger, and I thank you all for coming to my aid. I will spend my life repaying that and being the best king I can be, but I could not have done it without those standing at my side.” His eyes move to me, then Crux and Orion. “Without my family. Without my love.”

Joha moves over to me. “One thing I have learned from this is how important the truth is, how important it is to hold those you love close and never let them go, as well as the importance of change.” His eyes meet mine boldly as he carries on talking. “It is time for new traditions, new rules, and new rulers.” Their king, too proud to kneel even in the face of death, drops to his knees before me.

He looks up at me, hopeful and worried, his lips pressing to the back of my hand.

A killer’s hand.

“Be my queen? For real this time. No lies, no sham. Stay with me forever?”

“They will never accept me,” I say only for his ears. I hear the crowd moving, whispers spreading. “This was always just a deal?—”

“It was never just a deal. It was always more. We belong together, Alyx. You keep me grounded and humble, and you are the only person to ever bring me joy, to love and accept me. If they cannot accept you, then I will banish them or worse, but it is time for a new age in this kingdom. Who better to be queen than someone willing to die and bleed for this throne? You deserve it more than even me. These are your people, Alyx, and together, we can unite the Uppers and Lowers. Together, we can heal the kingdom, but I cannot do this without you. I do not wish to do this without you. This power, this station meant nothing until you came along, so stay with me. Be mine.” He kisses my hand again. “Be ours.” The last is whispered, but I understand. He’s not asking me to leave Orion or Crux. He’s asking me to stay with them all.

My family.

My eyes move to the crowd. I see confusion, but also hope and relief. Joha is right. This has brought our kingdom together. I might not be who they would have chosen for their queen, but I would do anything to keep this kingdom and its king safe.

It’s terrifying to shine the light on those who live their lives in the shadows, but when I glance back at Crux, he smiles and nods at me, encouraging me. My eyes find Orion, and he presses his fist to his chest, hope in his eyes.

Dragging my gaze back to Joha, I find my heart making the decision before I can.

I fall to my knees before him, grip his hair, and kiss him deeply for everyone to see. He kisses me back, and when I pull away, I rest my forehead against his, searching his beautiful eyes.

“Yes, yes, I’ll stay. Yes, I’ll be your queen.”

We stay like that for a moment, soaking each other in. He’s right, it’s time for change, and there is nowhere else I would rather be in this world.

All this time I was searching for answers, for a family and a home, and now I finally have one.

Rising, I let him lead me towards the throne, and before our people, I slowly sink into the throne next to Joha’s.

I wear a wide smile on my face as the crowd erupts in applause and celebration.

It will not be easy. When everything dies down, there will be questions, but as I look to those I love, I know I can weather it and endure anything as long as they are with me.

I might be a Dagger and Joha might be the Crown, but they are my heart.