The Ascendance Series #5: The Shattered Castle by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Author:Jennifer A. Nielsen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: 2021-10-02T00:00:00+00:00

Shortly before Imogen was due to arrive, I nestled into a gap between two thick bushes. From here, I could easily see where Imogen and Wilta would sit to eat their supper, and where I could hear their conversation. I felt the guilt of listening in on them, but Imogen’s decision now had a major impact on my own future, so I knew this was necessary.

“Make a space for me.” Lump walked along the hedge and began pushing his way into the gap.

“No!” I pushed back at him. “There are plenty of places here to hide. Find your own.”

“The Monarch wants to remind you not to make a sound while Imogen is here, not to let her know you are listening.”

“I remember. Now go away. If you squeeze in here, I’ll breathe on you, and I’ll tell you now, my breath is terrible.”

Lump frowned, but he walked on and found another gap in the bushes nearby.

Minutes later, Imogen arrived, wearing a simple blue dress and, with her hair pulled away from her face, outshining Wilta in every possible way. Imogen gave a polite bow, and Wilta held out an arm, gesturing to a chair across from her. “Please sit.”

Imogen’s chair was almost facing me. I wondered if I stared hard enough at her, would she somehow sense that I was here? Maybe not, but it was worth a try.

“I am glad for this chance to speak with you,” Imogen began. “There was a time when I thought we could have been friends.”

“That was before you helped Jaron blow up my ships.” In the same cool tone, Wilta added, “You’ve proven to be every bit as strong and clever as Jaron. Tell me, do you consider Castor Veldergrath to be a worthy leader for Carthya?”

Imogen lowered her eyes. “Castor would like to believe that of himself.”

“Yes, but what do you think of him?”

Imogen looked up again and slowly shook her head. “He is not the leader that Carthya needs.”

“Is that why you have still refused to give him an answer about marriage?”

Imogen hesitated. “It is very soon after Jaron’s death, Monarch.”

“Do not try that lie with me! You know very well that Jaron is alive. You have spoken with him yourself, is that true?”

Another hesitation, then Imogen slowly nodded. “Yes, I know that he is alive.”

“So you will be glad to hear that tonight I am offering you a choice —”

“Before you do, I ask you to consider one other option.” Imogen spoke quickly, as if she had forced the words out before she was ready.

“Oh?”

“I have recently learned that I am a daughter of royalty, through Faylinn, one of the original three rulers of Carthya. Jaron’s line has held the throne since the time of the three rulers ended, but I have a royal bloodline of my own. I ask you to give me the throne, make me the queen of Carthya.”

I hadn’t expected that answer from Imogen. It was brilliant, but risky. As queen, Imogen had no need to marry Castor.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.