Chapter 22 #2
To her mother’s credit, she held herself with every bit of regal dignity she possessed. Even with her hands tied before her, she walked through the bedraggled army as if it were a grand ballroom.
The saddest part was that she knew her mother would never allow someone she’d defeated to be allowed this much dignity. Rather, she’d make a show of belittling them with every step. Of dragging them through the mud just to shame them.
I’m not my mother.
Defeat was enough humiliation for anyone. No more needed to be added.
She held on to Xaydin’s hand until they reached Dash and his brother. Still in her equine form, Gisela bowed low before him. “My liege, we’ve captured the queen and tender her to your custody.”
A rumble and curses went through the centaurs.
But Dash silenced them by holding his fist in the air. “Warriors of Thassalia, you fought bravely today. Honorably. You should take pride in defending your country. This is not a defeat. It’s a new beginning for all Thassalians who will no longer be held beneath Meara’s hooves.”
A roar went up among their army. She could feel their enthusiasm and excitement.
Their seven generals rode forward under a white pennant.
Once they stood before Dash, they bowed to him in deference.
The Major General then saluted Dash. “What are your orders, Majesty?”
“Princess Gisela of Thassalia will be in charge. Until a new coronation, she will be Thassalia’s monarch.”
The general inclined his head. “All hail Queen Gisela!”
His call was taken up by the rest of their forces.
But inside, she didn’t rejoice. She was terrified. All she’d wanted was her freedom.
Now she was queen?
“It’ll be all right, Gisela. Just breathe.”
She took Xaydin’s hand and allowed his strength to flow into her.
Because he believed it, she believed it.
It would be fine.
“This is not fine!” Gisela shut the doors and transformed into her human body. “They’re animals and not just because they’re part horse! They’re pigs!”
Xaydin laughed. “Council giving you grief?”
“Giving me a migraine! Now I understand why my mother took their heads all the time. Terror makes it easier to negotiate with them.”
“I won’t argue that. I find a swift kick in the ass and punch to the throat a remarkable way of adjusting certain attitudes and tones.”
She gave him a droll stare. Though to be honest, she was coming around to his way of thinking. “I won’t be my mother.”
“No one thinks that. Want me to slap them around in your stead?”
At the moment, yes. It was a lot more tempting than it should be.
“No. But keep it in mind.”
Someone knocked on the door to her bedchambers. Gisela returned to her centaur body. “Enter.”
It was the eldest member of their council. “Forgive me, Highness. We didn’t mean to distress you.”
“All’s fine,” she lied, hiding her agitation from him. It wasn’t…
Actually, it was his fault in part. He’d egged on the others.
Clearing her throat, she moved past that. “What brings you here?”
“We’ve taken another vote.”
Oh goody! This she couldn’t wait to hear. “Another tie?”
“No. We decided to stop voting on our own council members…or any of Meara’s sons.”
That should make her happy, and yet his tone made her stomach shrink.
“Our newest vote was unanimous.”
Gisela had to keep herself from wincing as she dreaded his words. “Please tell me it wasn’t for my mother to return to power.”
The general laughed at her dead tone. “It wasn’t for Meara or the princes who have all been found guilty of treason. Rather, we’ve chosen the best creature for the job. The one who has led us this past month without the drama, fear, threats, or any of the chaos of Meara’s reign.”
Even though she heard those words, she couldn’t quite fathom them.
Confused, she glanced to Xaydin who watched her with an amused quirk to his lips. “Do they understand that I’m not a full centaur?”
“Neither was Meara nor her father before her.”
“You didn’t know that at the time,” she reminded him.
“True, my queen. Very true. But you’ve shown yourself to be all we could dream of in a monarch. You’ve been honest and kind…most of all, you don’t crave power. Again, it was unanimous. Once your name entered the vote, all were in agreement. You, alone, have the full support of the council.”
Xaydin couldn’t be prouder for Gisela, who locked gazes with him.
“I won’t do this alone. Do they understand that I will come to them with a foreign prince at my side? I will not forsake him for another. Not even my country.” Especially since she’d never wanted a crown.
“Your terms are acceptable to us. We await your decision on the matter.” And with that, he took his leave.
Xaydin smiled at her as she resumed her human body. “Queen Gisela of Thassalia. I love the sound of that.”
She arched a brow at his giddiness. “You’ll be King Xaydin.”
Laughing, he shook his head. “They didn’t vote for me, love. I’ll be Prince Xaydin, consort to the queen. That throne is yours, not mine. And if you accept, one day it’ll belong to our son or daughter.”
Gisela felt a lightness in her heart at his words. She had yet to tell him that she was expecting. Did he know or was he merely guessing?
And how could she say no? Really?
Xaydin was still being hunted by his brother, but if she took the throne being offered, they wouldn’t have to run. Xaydin and their child would be safe from the troll king.
Forever.
While she’d never wanted to rule, this was the best outcome for them all.
Especially the baby growing inside her.
“I will assume the throne, but only on one condition.”
“That is?” Xaydin asked.
“You will have to marry me before the coronation.”
He laughed at her request. “I’ve already told you that. I will marry you whenever you wish and however you want.”
True. He’d said it many times, but she’d kept delaying in case he changed his mind and wanted to leave. She couldn’t blame him for it.
He hated being trapped. Nothing was a bigger noose than a crown.
But if she were to stay here, she couldn’t do it on her own. She’d need someone she trusted. Someone she could confide in.
And there was no one else she trusted.
This place had birthed her. It’d shaped her.
Now, it would be her future.
I had no control over my horrible past.
But the future was entirely up to her.
I will make it one worth living.
Not just for her, but for the ones she cared about and loved. And for her people.
They were home and they would make it the best one possible.