Claiming Glass: A Cinderella Retelling (Tales of Bones and Roses Book 2) by Liv Strom

Author:Liv Strom [Strom, Liv]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SM Press
Published: 2024-02-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter seventeen

Dimitri

The chair of skulls and roses had never been more uncomfortable and for the first time, I welcomed the distraction. Seven councilors and Bersig’s grandson sat below ready to pass their judgement. Even as the court crier cleared his throat to read the charges, we all knew how it would end. Since von Uster and the bone soldiers, most minor nobles themselves, had seen hers and her sister’s faces on the bridge, then the full court when we arrived at the palace, both her and Helia, there had been no stopping this even had I desired it.

If a curse could rewrite the previous days, I would have spent my last, but even the one I had used three years ago in hope to make those who hurt my child suffer as my loved ones had, had proven empty words. Perhaps the gods truly mocked us and after Tempest’s sentencing, I would be the one to feel its effect, for I had surely considered her mine.

The shock of the necromancer’s face after her mask was removed replayed every time my eyes involuntarily sought the woman below. Despite the betrayals and lies, I had to force myself not to carry her away from here. To protect her and kiss away the hurt furrowing her numb face. I had promised myself no one would ever hurt her, but could find no other path than forward, no matter how it would wreck us both.

She used her powers, I reminded myself for the thousand time, it wasn’t real.

“For conspiracy against the Crown,” the crier started, “the kidnapping of Helia von Heskin, Princess of Oberwalden”—who snorted audibly from the balcony above—“illegally using your magic on Dimitri Alexandre Ivanov, the first of his name, uncrowned King of Tal”—seducing and playing him for a fool in his own palace—“the former king, may his Spirit find peace, and several ladies of the court; stealing the queen’s glass crown”—she returned that—“indiscriminate theft from the royal family”—trinkets and information—“and impersonating nobility.” The court crier’s intonation said this was the worst crime of all.

There was a dignity to Vanya Komarova as she heard the charges echoing through the mostly empty courtroom. Large parts of the events that led up to this moment were not public knowledge—would never be if I had any say in it—and thus the doors had been locked while this charade of justice continued.

Helia von Heskin, the real one, leaned over the railing of the upper balcony. From this distance, anyone could have mistaken her for Vanya or her sister. The Oberwaldian princess had insisted she attend the trial and I could hardly deny her, but her assessing eyes drove the full extent of my foolish hopes even deeper.

“Who offers evidence on behalf of the Crown?” the crier finished.

Von Lemerch stood. “I do.”

As the head of the Council, she would present the letters and witness statements. If I had ever doubted how the Council would vote, the hateful looks she gave Vanya dissolved it.

My hands clenched on the

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