The Crimson Crown
The stunning final book in the critically acclaimed Seven Realms epic fantasy series from Cinda Williams ChimaA thousand years ago, two young lovers were betrayed – Alger Waterlow to his death, and Hanalea, Queen of the Fells, to a life without love.Now, once again, the Queendom of the Fells seems likely to shatter apart. For young queen Raisa ana’Marianna, maintaining peace even within her own castle walls is nearly impossible; tension between wizards and Clan has reached a fevered pitch. With surrounding kingdoms seeking to prey on the Fells’ inner turmoil, Raisa’s best hope is to unite her people against a common enemy. But that enemy might be the person with whom she's falling in love.Through a complicated web of lies and unholy alliances, former streetlord Han Alister has become a member of the Wizard Council of the Fells. Navigating the cut-throat world of blue blood politics has never been more dangerous, and Han seems to inspire hostility among Clan and wizards alike. His only ally is the queen, and despite the perils involved, Han finds it impossible to ignore his feelings for Raisa. Before long, Han finds himself in possession of a secret believed to be lost to history, a discovery powerful enough to unite the people of the Fells. But will the secret die with him before he can use it?A simple, devastating truth concealed by a thousand-year-old lie at last comes to light in this stunning conclusion to the Seven Realms series.
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For my grandfather E. C. Bryan
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Clan Princess
Chapter Two: A Dance in the Dark
Chapter Three: Crewing for Abelard
Chapter Four: Family Matters
Chapter Five: A High Country Meeting
Chapter Six: What Happened on Hanalea
Chapter Seven: A Crack in the Mountain
Chapter Eight: Blood and Politics
Chapter Nine: Of Consorts and Kings
Chapter Ten: Into the Snake Pit
Chapter Eleven: Meetings at Midnight
Chapter Twelve: Meetings at Midday
Chapter Thirteen: At Cross-Purposes
Chapter Fourteen: Queenâs Orders
Chapter Fifteen: Street Rules
Chapter Sixteen: Loose Ends
Chapter Seventeen: From the Snake Pit into the Flames
Chapter Eighteen: Past Crimes and Misdemeanors
Chapter Nineteen: A Hot Summer Night
Chapter Twenty: Blood and Ashes
Chapter Twenty-One: Earth Magic
Chapter Twenty-Two: Ashes and Accusations
Chapter Twenty-Three: Revelations
Chapter Twenty-Four: An Old Betrayal
Chapter Twenty-Five: Truth or Lie
Chapter Twenty-Six: Proofs and Allegations
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Demonai Delegation
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Climbing the Deadly Nevergreen
Chapter Twenty-Nine: In Hanaleaâs Garden
Chapter Thirty: Deadly Music
Chapter Thirty-One: The Armory of the Gifted Kings
Chapter Thirty-Two: Betrayal
Chapter Thirty-Three: In the Deeps
Chapter Thirty-Four: Agreeing to Disagree
Chapter Thirty-Five: Back Gamon
Chapter Thirty-Six: In the Passes
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Under Siege
Chapter Thirty-Eight: A Deal with the Devil
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Queen Counselor
Chapter Forty: Fever Dreams
Chapter Forty-One: A New Generation
Chapter Forty-Two: Walking Out with the Bayars
Chapter Forty-Three: Standoff
Chapter Forty-Four: A Meeting Underground
Chapter Forty-Five: Second-Story Work
Chapter Forty-Six: On the Inside
Chapter Forty-Seven: Trader
Chapter Forty-Eight: Wizard Persuasion
Chapter Forty-Nine: Uneasy Alliance
Chapter Fifty: Poor Choices
Chapter Fifty-One: A Way In
Chapter Fifty-Two: Darkmanâs Hour
Chapter Fifty-Three: Under the Vale
Chapter Fifty-Four: A Spectacular Diversion
Chapter Fifty-Five: Back into the Flame
Chapter Fifty-Six: A Rematch
Chapter Fifty-Seven: Blessings and Curses
Chapter Fifty-Eight: Tangle and a Twist
Chapter Fifty-Nine: Redo
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
It was the largest gathering of the Spirit clans Raisa had ever seen. They came from all over the Fellsâfrom Demonai Camp to the west, from Hunterâs Camp to the east, and from the rugged northern reaches and the river valleys near the West Wall. Some traveled all the way from the fishing camps along Invaders Bay. Demonai warriors rode in from the wilderness, proudly painted, feathered, and braided. Sun-weathered traders journeyed home from throughout the Seven Realms, bringing exotic goods and news from the down-realms.
Even the elders said that the only other such celebration in their lifetime was the one that marked Raisaâs mother Mariannaâs wedding to Averill Demonaiâthe first marriage of a Gray Wolf queen to clan royalty since the Great Captivity began.
This time they feasted together on the lower slopes of Hanalea to celebrate the crowning of one of their ownâRaisa anaâMarianna, called Briar Rose in the high countryâas queen of the Fells. The camp was bedecked with garlands of thorny high country rosesâRaisaâs clan totem, which always came into bloom near the time of her birthday.
Each camp came bearing gifts, competing in honoring and celebrating the new queen. Raisa accumulated enough finery to last for years to come. Clan metalsmiths presented her with a circlet of roses and thorns in beaten gold. They provided silver fittings for her saddles and bridles crafted by leatherworkers.
Demonai Camp brought her a made-to-measure longbow and a quiver of black-fletched arrows to replace the weapons sheâd lost when Micah Bayar carried her off from Odenâs Ford. Marisa Pines Camp gifted her with lotions, remedies, and fragrances that would remind her of the high country in her flatland palace.
Hunterâs Camp contributed haunches of venison, fish from the Dyrnnewater, braces of rabbits, and wild boars, which had been roasting on spits all day.
Storytellers and musicians showered Raisa with songs and stories, predicting a long and glorious reign. This premature praise made her squirm. She was superstitious enough to believe in not tempting fate.
