The Crimson Crown
Cinda Williams Chima
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.
For my grandfather E. C. Bryan
Table of Contents
Title Page (#u5cf5090a-ff1e-5af1-afd5-656e7dca452f)
Dedication (#ua865b0a5-c0a3-5a1d-81f3-c5ea884575bd)
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: Queen’s 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 Hanalea’s 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