Chapter Twenty-Eight
The citizens of thecapital and the soldiers waited for us, cheering as we emerged from the dungeon with our released prisoners.
Indigo raised her hand in victory. “Thank you all. Because of you, I have been reunited with my kindred. Now, it’s time to go to the king and demand the changes we want.”
The crowd parted for her as she continued her march towards the palace, Darius’s hand clutched in hers, the rest of us following in her wake. Once we passed, the nobles joined, then some of the soldiers, and finally everyone else fell into step to follow.
I refused to let go of Bastian, too thrilled to be reunited with him and to see him unharmed and still standing. He held me back just as tightly, breathing in my scent, brushing soft kisses against the top of my head. Sky pressed against Bastian on his other side so we barricaded him.
People who lived and worked in the palace watched us as we entered, plastering themselves against the walls, eyes wide, shock staining their faces. The citizens of Faligrey filled the halls as Indigo, our kindreds, and the nobles pushed into the throne room.
The king and queen waited for us along with a group of royal guards. I was getting really tired of those guards and their purple uniforms.
Indigo stepped forward and inclined her head. “Your Majesty.”
The king scowled at her. “Princess. What is the meaning of all this. I had those dragons arrested.”
Indigo’s jaw tightened. “Illegally. Along with several bards. Also illegally. You have proved you no longer have the best interests of Faligrey at heart. It is time for you to step down. Retire.”
The king raised a brow. “And what makes you think I’ll do that? Perhaps instead, I should have you and all your little comrades thrown into the dungeon for treason.”
“Because the people of Faligrey stand behind me. As do these nobles and the entire council. Legally, you have no choice unless you want war. You may have the royal guards on your side, but you don’t have the soldiers. They’re mine now.”
“How dare you?” He shot to his feet, trembling with rage.
Indigo stepped closer. “How dare me? How dare you? You refuse to take Faligrey into the future and you have been breaking your own laws. Beginning long before Rhapsody. Not only did you send assassins after her, but when that failed you had your own guards kidnap her and try to have her killed again. We got the confession out of one of the guards you sent.”
They did? When?
The king pointed at his throne. “I am the King of Faligrey. I run it how I see fit.”
Indigo shook her head. “That’s not the way this country works, Father. We have a council you have to answer to. You don’t get to make whatever decisions you want. Especially if it’s something against the laws. Perhaps you are unaware, but if fifteen nobles, leaders of Faligrey come together and decide the monarch is harming the country, has broken its laws, they can choose to replace him with one of his heirs.”
The king spluttered. “What foolishness are your spouting?”
“It’s the truth. It’s the law. You’re finished, Father. You can either leave with some dignity or you can try to fight it.”
“You think you can come in here and take my crown? My throne?” His voice raised so high it echoed around us.
Indigo nodded. “Yes. That is exactly what’s happening.”
“And how do you expect for this to work? I run off, tail between my legs while you take over the country?”
Indigo shrugged. “That depends on you. If you are willing to prove you want to do what’s best for Faligrey, perhaps you can have a seat on the council. Or, you could spend the rest of your days in the dungeons you’re so fond of if you decide to keep fighting me. Either way, you’ll be spending some time on house arrest until you make your decision.”
The king snarled and threw his hand up to point at us. “Arrest them.”
“Majesty?” One of the guards asked.
The king gestured at us. “Arrest every single one of them. They are committing treason.”
The royal guards didn’t look thrilled with the order, but they advanced on us anyway, unable to disobey even though they had to see the king was through and there was no way they’d be able to take us on.
My assassins melted into the spots in front of us, dark smiles on their lips. The guards gulped and hesitated as Elora and the dragons brandished weapons, nothing but confident ease in their movements. I slid my hand to my thigh where I had a dagger strapped.
Aster kept me tucked close to his side, hanging on to Indigo on his other side. The three of us didn’t move while the rest dispatched the guards, not even breaking a sweat or allowing the guards to land a single blow. It was a little embarrassing how quickly our people took out the guards. The lot of them moaned and writhed on the floor, broken limbs and bruises forming, all still alive.
Indigo raised a brow. “I take it you’ve chosen the dungeon?”