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THE GROUP OF FOUR MAKE it to the castle without further incident, and as they approach the front door, Everleigh stops and looks up at her home, her castle. With her brother missing she will take his throne and rule. Ginata will crown her and she will fulfil the prophecy that Halfreda told her about by the island, less than two weeks ago.
She feels a rush of power and strides ahead of the others. “Where will they be?”
“Probably Ginata’s rooms or Millard’s. I’m not sure,” Ceryn says.
“What about Millard’s guards?”
“I won’t let them hurt you.” Ceryn already has her hand on her sword.
“Me neither.” Archer has a dagger in his hand, a pained look on his face, his injuries still causing him trouble.
“Thank you. Both of you. I don’t think they’d dare attack me but...”
“Better to be prepared,” the teacher says, following them in.
“I think we should go to Ginata’s rooms first or Will’s maybe. Just in case Millard came back when we were away.”
They fall silent and follow the stone hallways to Ginata’s rooms – Everleigh’s father’s old rooms. Before he was killed.
Everleigh knocks the door and pushes it open.
The receiving room is empty. Ceryn gestures for her to stay with the teacher and walks ahead with Archer. They make their way through her series of linked rooms and find Ginata sleeping in her bed, empty vials on the covers next to her, a fire blazing in the hearth.
When they come back to Everleigh she is holding Millard’s crown. It’s heavy, made of gold, beautiful. “I don’t want to wear his crown. I want one of my own.”
“Whatever you want,” Archer says, anxious to keep her happy. “Ginata’s sleeping, seems pretty flat out.”
“Let’s find my sister then. We’ll go to her room.”
They follow Everleigh once again through the hallways and passageways, no guards to be seen, no sound to be heard. She knocks on Addyson’s door and tries to open it; it’s locked. “Addyson. It’s me.”
Within seconds Addyson’s door is unlocked and they’re hugging and crying. “I thought I’d lost you.” Addyson’s voice is full of relief.
“I thought I was lost to you.”
“What happened?” Della opens the door fully and Everleigh and the teacher go inside. Finn jumps up and embraces Everleigh. “I’m so glad you’re alright.”
“Thank you. Brett took me to Archer. He’s alive.”
Finn steps away from Everleigh and raises a hand in greeting to Archer and Ceryn beside him. “I’m Finn.”
“Archer. Look, I’ll stay out here, just to keep an eye.”
“Me too,” Ceryn says.
Everleigh closes the door and sits holding Addyson’s hand. “Brett took me. But he was taking me to Archer and the teacher.”
The teacher smiles sadly and nods his head. “We were lucky to have one of Millard’s men on our side. Unfortunately, Ceryn found him before we had told her the truth of him. She killed him.”
“Oh, poor Ceryn.” Addyson wipes at her tears. “She must feel awful.”
“I think we all do. I believe some food and sleep are in order.”
“Have you seen anything of Millard or his guards? Wolf?”
Addyson shakes her head. “We went to the great hall for something to eat. There were a few guards, but Weaver made sure we were safe. Will did some tricks and we ate.”
“That was risky.” Everleigh looks at Della who nods but answers her calmly. “We thought she would be safest in company. Out in the open. With witnesses.”
“You’re probably right. That was actually clever.”
“It’s probably the best idea for you too. We should all go to the great hall now. Show the people that you are alive and safe. Proclaim you Queen.”
“I don’t know about that. I think we should go to the hall, but I think that’s all.”
“We can decide once we’re there.”
Everleigh opens the door. “We think we should go to the great hall. Eat, drink and be merry.”
“Really?”
“Addyson has been in there, in plain sight, with a lot of people around. It might be safer.”
“Not just that,” Archer says, “but it will show that you’re safe and well and ready to rule. You cannot rule hidden away. With Millard gone you can take his place. You cannot do that hidden in your room.”
“Where’s Weaver and Will?” Everleigh wants everybody together.
“Weaver went to Millard’s room in case he came back. Will went with him.”
“We’ll fetch them on the way to the great hall,” Archer takes Everleigh’s hand. “I’m not leaving you unattended again.”
“Everleigh. You need to change first. You cannot go into the great hall looking like that.” Della bows as she speaks, an apology for being rude.
Everleigh smiles. “You’re right. I look terrible. Hardly Queenly.”
Suddenly there is a euphoric feeling throughout the group. Smiles are wider, the air no longer heavy or thick with tension. Millard is gone and Everleigh will be Queen.
“Let’s all go to Everleigh’s room. Archer and I will stand guard outside and when you’re ready we’ll fetch Weaver and Will. I can’t wait to see Weaver’s face when he sees that you’re alive Archer.”
“Long live the Queen!” Archer shouts as they head along the corridor.