Despite Jane's best attempts, the chaos in the streets slowed her down too much. By the time she reached the gates, they were already closed. Jane stood before them, trying to figure out her next move, when someone grabbed her arm. She screamed and spun around.
A rebel was holding her, a buddy standing just behind him.
"One of the harem Princesses, eh?" the rebel sneered. Jane knew what he was referring to. The King had produced countless children with his enormous harem. Very few were granted the title of Prince or Princess, and those that were exclusively had the Royal Red Hair. Just like she did.
"No! My mother is a maid, and my father was a guard before he passed," she said quickly. "I myself am a maid!"
"Hmm." The rebel holding her looked at his buddy. "Everyone knows the tyrant had a real wandering eye." The buddy shook his head.
"Tyrant and homewrecker in one."
"Sorry, Miss..."
"Gray. Jane Gray."
"Sorry, Miss Gray, but you still have to come with us. All of the tyrant's children are going to be handled by the new King."
"Look on the bright side," the buddy said. "You are not a boy, so you should be fine. Maybe you will even be betrothed to a handsome young man."
The rebels escorted Jane back to the Palace she had just fled from. She was tempted to use the amulet on them, but there were many other rebels patrolling the now eerily empty streets. She would doubtless get caught at some point.
Jane was brought to the royal court. Outside the room, many redheads waited for their turn. When it was Jane's, she was dragged inside. She stood before the thrones, looking down at her feet, shaking.
"Look up, Miss Gray," a voice she recognized said. Jane looked up. Her stomach twisted. Prince Jasper's former friend, Antyny, was sitting on the King's throne, the crown resting upon his blond curls. Of course it was him. The previous King had banished him after discovering he was hiding being a Witch. He had vowed vengeance that day. And he had finally achieved it.
"She claims her mother is a maid and her late father was a guard," said one of the rebels with her. "We suspect the tyrant took advantage of her mother."
"With that hair, there is no other possibility," Antyny said. He turned to the woman sitting on the Queen's throne beside him. "What say you, my love? What shall we do with her?" The woman stood and walked up to Jane.
Jane's heart began pounding. It was Anya! Still in her concubine's uniform, but wearing the Queen's crown. What was going on? Was Anya being forced? Or acting? Or maybe even involved all along? But Jane couldn't ask her in public.
Anya looked Jane up and down, before turning away to face Antyny.
"Here is what we shall do with her," she declared.