Charles III is about to ascend the throne of Cotreur, and he plans to outlaw magic once he is king. After all, it may make crops grow, help families have children, and cure the sick, but it subverts the will of the gods and encourages sex. Worse, it is only practicable by women – a sure sign it comes from The Dark One – and witches are said to be able to steal a man’s will by bedding him. But not everyone agrees with Charles’s interpretation. Juliette has no desire to be put to death for practicing her art. She enlists the aid of Bishop Gerard to persuade the crown prince to alter his thinking. But when the bishop’s pleas fall on deaf ears, it may be time for more desperate action. “The Coronation of King Charles III” is a short story by John R. Phythyon, Jr., author State of Grace, that examines the consequences of desire and the relationship between politics and religion, asking, “How far will you go to protect your beliefs?”