After conquering the southern kingdom with black powder, a northern queen drags its last prince home as her prize. Then her seemingly obedient captive warns her of a plot against the throne, drawing them into a court romantasy where control of the chain keeps changing hands.
The last prince of the southern kingdom I had destroyed was dragged into my victory procession with a chain around his neck.
Karvit's crown belongs not to blood, but to whoever wins it. I was an illegitimate daughter from a cadet branch of the royal family. Then I shattered Ailen's gates with black powder cannons and became queen. If I failed to bring the prince to his knees today, the northern generals would call both my victory and my throne an accident.
But I could not kill Sion, either. If the last royal died, the people of the south would make him a martyr and take up their swords again.
Sion was hauled before the throne to the beat of drums. He wore torn white ceremonial robes and a black chain, with molten-gold eyes beneath his disheveled hair. He had lost his kingdom, yet he did not look like a prisoner.
I pulled on the chain.
"Kneel."
Sion lowered himself onto one knee without resistance. But instead of bowing his head, he drew my gloved hand toward him and brought his lips close above the chain.
"On the day you brought down the gates, Your Majesty forbade the sack."
His breath touched the back of my hand.
"That is why I did not flee. You were the only conqueror who could keep my people alive."
"You are asking me to trust you?"
"No. I am asking you to use me."
Sion gathered the chain himself, shortening the distance between my hand and his throat.
"If I live, the south can lay down its swords. In return, do not let my people burn again."
His voice was strangely gentle for a man proposing a bargain. His gaze remained on my eyes, not my crown.
"Then keep me close enough to be useful, Your Majesty."
He pulled once more on the chain in my hand. His gaze shifted past my shoulder for the first time.
"And if you intend to live until sunset, do not drink from the cup waiting behind your throne."
The drums continued, but the hall seemed to fall silent around us.
"The traitor who placed it there is watching us now."