Free The Void of Muirwood (Covenant of Muirwood Book 3) by Jeff Wheeler

the castle are still locked down, but we now control the outer gates. As I suggested earlier, once we have ridden through town, we should assemble a host of citizens to follow you to Pent Tower. There you can command the castellan to open the gates to you. If he refuses, we lay siege. There are not enough provisions there to last more than a fortnight. But I know the castellan. If you come, I trust he will do his duty and open the gates. The people believe you are the rightful heir, despite the acts.”
    “Very well,” Maia said. “Prepare the escort. We ride at once. I would like to make sure the castle is ours before sunset, if possible. Two of my dear friends are trapped inside, along with any number of other innocent victims. The chaos and looting must end swiftly. We face too many threats from the outside to be this divided within.”
    “I cannot agree more,” the mayor said, mopping his brow with a silk kerchief from his pocket. He turned and left to make the final arrangements.
    Maia turned to Collier. “Are you disappointed?”
    He flashed her a small smile. “Whether you wear a servant’s gown or one made by a master tailor, you still look beautiful.” Collier took her to the corner of the room, where a chair sat in front of a table and mirror. “Your hair needs to be brushed. If I may?”
    She glanced over her shoulder at him and nodded, giving him a private smile. Then she sat down in front of the mirror and gazed at her weary reflection. There were soot smudges above her cheeks.
    Collier took a comb from the table and began to smooth out her long hair with expert hands, as he had done aboard the ship on their way to Naess. She was more comfortable with him now, but his touch made her shiver with pleasure and anticipation as his hands grazed the back of her neck.
    “I wanted you to ride with us as well,” Maia said, looking at his deep blue eyes through the mirror’s reflection.
    He shook his head. “Simon said it would be unwise, and I agree with him.”
    Maia pursed her lips.
    “Shall I explain?” he offered.
    She nodded.
    “The people love you. There is euphoria in the streets right now. Word is spreading quickly that you miraculously escaped your death at the tower and will ride through the city to claim your father’s throne. Simon’s people are helping to spread the word. All requests for evidence that your father still lives have been met with silence. Half the nobles, including Kranmir, fled the city, and many were robbed as they departed Ludgate.” He snorted to himself. “I will not comment on whether they deserved it. This is your moment, Maia. If the King of Dahomey rides beside you, then it will tarnish that moment. You did this, not I. It would not be wise to let people think that Dahomey manipulated your father’s death or put you on the throne.”
    Maia stared at him. “A queen has never before ruled Comoros,” she whispered. “I will be the first.”
    He nodded, teasing out some more strands of her hair with the comb. “Which is what makes it so interesting. The customs of your realm must change. Your struggles are just beginning. You have renegade earls who fear losing their possessions and estates. Men like Kord Schuyler, the Earl of Forshee. And Kranmir will do his utmost to rally the mastons against you. I imagine you will want to invest your friend’s husband with Schuyler’s title?”
    The idea had never occurred to her—the notion of having that kind of power would take some adjustment, it seemed. “I suppose I can do that,” she said in an almost awed whisper.
    Collier chuckled. “There are certain privileges that come with power, my dear. You can reward those who are loyal and faithful to you. That will show the people what you value and set the tone for their future behavior. Reward the mastons, and more nobles will choose to join the order.”
    Maia nodded, smiling. “I will need a new chancellor as well.”
    Collier tugged through a stubborn clump, easing