"Bring her in," ordered Marilyn Pyro.
The large double doors opened, and the sounds of chains clinking together became louder as Akaljot Bjorndottir and six other guards escorted a shackles Ashlynn Pyro.
Her wine red hair was unbound, her blue-grey tunic wrinkled from a week in the dungeons.
They stopped before the dais, the guards pushing her to her knees.
"You have committed our worst crimes," began the newly crowned monarch, her voice as sharp as a sword. "You committed treason, knowing the sentence would be death. Did you not?"
"Yes," seethed Ashlynn.
"You committed murder—twice, nonetheless—and knew the sentence would be death. Did you not?"
"Yes."
"And finally, you practiced dark magic and knew full well that the sentence would be death."
"I did. But I can already tell you that you don't have it in you to execute me," Ashlynn taunted.
Marilyn fought to not flinch.
"You could barely execute the witch five years ago—how can you condemn your own sister to a similar fate?" Ashlynn shouted.
"You're right," Marilyn conceded. "Death is too good for you. I sentence you to a lifetime of exile."
Ashlynn's dark eyes widened, and she shot to her feet. "No! You can't do this to me! I'm the Queen of Fire!"
Marilyn barked out a harsh laugh. "You are no Queen of Fire. What you are is a queen of shadows and darkness."
"Of shadows and darkness," Ashlynn mused. "I like that."
"You are a blight on the Pyro name. I strip you of your land, your inheritance, and all titles you may hold. You are to never return to Lucis again. Any and all descendants of yours will have the same rights as surfs. You are to never return to Lucis—for if you do, we will not hesitate to kill you on sight."
Ashlynn's face twisted into a snarl. "I will make you and the child you're carrying regret this, Marilyn Pyro."
People started murmuring.
"It isn't true," said Marilyn, her voice rising above the others. "Take her away. She leaves tonight."
The guards roughly took Ashlynn by the arms, and marched her back to the dungeons. Ashlynn took one last look over her shoulder, smirked, and then cackled as the doors closed behind her.
YOU ARE READING
Queen of Light (The Light-Bringer Trilogy, #3)
FantasiaMay the Gods and the Light-Bringer save them all... Calista Pyro-Bjorndottir--Light-Bringer, and the Heir and rightful Queen of Lucis--has survived deadly battles and shattering heartbreak, and at tremendous cost. Luna's betrayal has left Cal reelin...
