Page 153 of Uncrowned

“There are four trials you must undergo to receive The Order’s blessing to become queen. Each one will be more difficult than the last. If you fail a trial at any point, the test ends and you fail that attempt. You are allowed three attempts over the span of your lifetime. If you fail all three…” The Magister paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing, “…you will permanently be barred from the trials and put to death.”

My mouth opened in surprise at The Magister’s words, but I forced it closed. I was back in the Ritual Room. The Judic lined the stone walls, standing silently while their leader explained what The Order expected of me.

“Death. Got it.”

I refused to look back at Vaughn. I kept my attention on the men who would be judging me on these trials.

“The first you will face is The Trial of Knowledge. It is here that we will assess whether you understand our history, our enemies, and the political world in which we operate. A queen beside the Unavowed must know why The Order exists and how power truly works. We will weigh your intelligence, your historical understanding, and your strategic thinking. We will ask questions. We will give scenarios. You will answer.”

I nodded.

“Trial two is The Trial of Loyalty. Throughout history, this is where most fail. A queen must put The Order and the Crown above all personal relationships. It’s choosing duty over emotion. Exile or execution. These test your political instinct and your judgement.”

“Magister.” I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to ask questions, but I couldn’t stay quiet. “Is this trial not one I just underwent this very morning? My best friend—the person I’m the closest with—is being consumed by the Order for not only harboring me, but she’s paying for her mother’s crimes as well. I have chosen the Order and the Crown over Marian LaRoe despite knowing how horrible she is suffering. I am choosing The Unavowed’s judgement over what my heart wants. Is that not loyalty? I have remained silently at my king’s side, trusting his decisions. Trials are necessary. I understand that. But does real life not count? Do I not get credit for what I’ve proven? I am sacrificing my very relationship to the only person outside of The Order that has cared for me. Does this not count towards my trials?”

“Did you not beg The Unavowed for mercy on your friend’s behalf?”

I paused. “Mercy is not betrayal. Marian is my friend, and I know what must happen. I accept what The Unavowed has planned for her. My loyalty is with The Order.”

“You have much to learn. Your loyalty is not merely about choosing, it is about relinquishing your need to justify. You fed her defiance, and in doing so, you let emotion rule you. If you wish to stand beside the Unavowed, you must learn to lead with judgement, not heart.”

“Magister.” I didn’t lower my gaze. “The heart is only dangerous when it is uncontrolled. When it’s understood…” I hesitated, “it becomes leverage. Marian was not responding to authority in that moment—she was responding to familiarity. I am her friend. She knows me. Had I not acted like a friend, Marian would have recognized that. She would have fought harder. … She would have remembered my lack of empathy and that could have affected our future with the betrothal. I acted… and then The Unavowed stepped in. He reinforced it. Marian got what she needed in that moment, and she obeyed.”

I lowered my eyes but brought them back up. “If what I did was wrong, then I will learn from it. I will do better. I just felt the outcome was what was important. Does it matter if we achieve it by compassion or control, so long as we get the best result?”

Silence. It lasted so long that I couldn’t stop the slight shake that took over my hands.

“Trial three is The Trial of the Blade. It is here that you will prove whether you can defend not only yourself but the Unavowed. The Order does not accept weakness beside its king. We will test your physical ability. Your tactical thinking in combat. Your very survival instinct. You will be placed in a dangerous confrontation. You may not survive it.”

All I could do was nod.

“The last is The Trial of Sacrifice.”

I wanted to roll my eyes. Had I not just done that with Marian?

“True rulers are defined by what they’re willing to lose.”

My hand lifted like a schoolkid. “Marian?”

He shifted on his feet, and I knew I should have kept my mouth shut.

“Magister, I’m sorry. I am willing to undergo the trials. I will face whatever challenge or question you put before me so that I may get The Order’s blessing. I just…” I let out a breath, lacing my fingers together to stop from fidgeting. “Over the last year, I have faced many… trials. I have spilled blood for the Order. I have protected it during beatings and investigations. I have done extensive research into the history. The timelines. And I have done it all while being very careful as to not flag or bring attention to my mission for helping to restore the Crown. My heart is here. My mission is with you. All I’m asking is that my loyalty and my sacrifices be recognized. That’s all.”

“The Judic will meet and consider your request.”

“Thank you, Magister.”

He gave a deep nod, turning, and heading through a back door. The Judic followed in a singular line behind him. I turned toward Vaughn, wincing.

“Sorry. I screwed that up.”

His face was soft, and a smile appeared as he held open his arms. I stepped in, wrapping around him.

“You didn’t. A real queen would have voiced her thoughts, and you did exactly that.” He hugged around me, kissing the top of my head. “Nothing may come of it, but you tried, and that’s what is important.”

He let go, stepping back. “We shouldn’t be this close out here. Let’s go for a walk. It’s time I show you The Order.” Emotions swept through, and his brow creased. “I won’t hide anything from you or sugarcoat what you’ll see. To rule the outside—the light—one must rule the dark. From good… to depraved. My family knew this. The light is always the goal, but here, where nothing is off limits, is where the control truly lies. It is the foundation of every country, every government. It is a necessity, whether we like it or not. If we don’t rule it, someone else will. Here, we monitor. We see. Like I said, control, and this is the only country where the power is split between two.”

My hand lifted. “So… with America. The president runs their place like this?”