*Bexley*

Six Months Later…

Mother is weeping.

It’s nothing new. She does a lot of that these days. Ever since the day after the castle was attacked when Canaan and I showed up at the house she shared with Harvey and told her everything, she’s been teary eyed. She’s so proud of me. Even now, she says, “I can’t believe you’re the queen!”

“Well, not yet,” I remind her, looking at my own reflection in the mirror. “There is the matter of getting married—and coronated.”

“That’s all just a technicality,” she assures me. “I’m so proud of you, honey!”

“I’m proud of you, too.” Carefully, I turn in my long...