Against the Reign Read Online Free PDF

help.
    Without hesitation I got his toy back, though I got three lashes across my hands for hitting that bratty tattletale little girl. But from that day, I vowed to watch over Vian and protect him. He’s my little brother, and I love him more than anyone.
    That vow now screams in my head. Those deeply saddened brown eyes make my heart break in two. My parents are gone. I am his sole protector now. And I can’t hand him over to be tortured or killed. My already weak legs tremble and the tremor makes its way through my body to my hands. I lean on the table for support, taking deep breaths in through my open mouth.
    “My lady…” someone asks hesitantly. I can only nod.
    “Then it’s settled. Start the ceremony!” Ferrant commands. The room bustles to life. I’m pulled into another room and stripped by the maids, who quickly dress me in fancier garb. Marguerite is there, holding Monroe and watching as my hair is pulled back and secured under my tiara. I feel like I’m being taken prisoner, and all I can do is plead silently with my eyes for her to help me. Once I’m presentable, I’m marched all the way up to the Reflection Room under heavy guard with Vian at my side. He’s dressed as well, tears still flowing from his eyes. The look on his face is all that keeps me walking.
    The Reflection Room has been lit with many oil lamps and I have to squint as I step into the glow. All of those who belong to the court are there, forming a wide circle around the room and facing the portrait of my parents. Where my face will soon be. I wonder again why the portrait has to be so large.
    Two members of the court hold out large pillows cradling my mother and father’s crowns. Ferrant stands between them. I approach slowly, unable to take my eyes off my father’s painted face. I wonder how he died. If it hurt. Would I die the same way if I refuse the crown and run?
    I stand in front of Ferrant. He slowly walks around me, and when he moves I find I’m staring at my reflection in a mirror. I watch as Ferrant gently removes my tiara, my white-gold headband peppered with tiny diamonds. My eyes follow it as it’s handed off to another court member, and my heart aches for it. It’s so simple and small.
    My father’s crown is lifted next and I watch as it is gently placed on my head. It’s too big for me, but for the sake of the ceremony, it will do. I balance it on my head and will myself to stop shaking while Ferrant recites a poem that has been read since the Knight of Newrock was crowned as king.
    “Given to the crown,
    In courage, strength, and might,
    Mere human made to reign,
    Heir of noble Knight,
    One to rule the people
    With justice at the core,
    Remembering the gift of life,
    From the Knight who came before,
    That one and all may give aid,
    To the helpless in his plight,
    Forgo those that divide us,
    Remember, Heir of Knight.”
    The poem ends, and it is done.
    “For this to be official, you will need to walk among the people. Tomorrow,” another court member says.
    “Tomorrow?” I whip my head around and knock the crown down over my ears. I straighten it so I can look him in the eye.
    “You have been crowned in front of the court, so you are now the queen. But we must prove it to the people, and for the sake of our enemies, we must do so quickly. Tomorrow you will walk through their midst and the high bishop will announce your royal title to the kingdom. Then your reign begins,” he explains. I swallow hard. I can’t imagine walking through that crowd. But the choice isn’t mine.
    “My reign,” I whisper, staring at my pale reflection in the mirror. “A hopeless reign.”

Seven
     
    I can’t sleep after the crowning, but I doubt anyone is sleeping tonight. I try to stay with Vian, but his tears are relentless and I finally can’t stand it anymore. I leave him in the care of his servants and go back to the Reflection Room, throwing a nasty scowl to the guard assigned to follow me around so he’ll stay