Page 99 of Under the Lion Star

“You don’t know shit about my mom,” I hissed.

“What is there to know?” He shrugged. “She was a whore.”

“She used the ignorant to her advantage,” my mouth curled into a cruel smile. “Hence, why you were stuck paying her to keep your precious highborn image.”

Lord Gamril sat on a stone ledge along the wall of the mausoleum. He was draped in finery, but his demeanor was at ease. My eyes darted around the room again, trying to determine what traps were lying in wait for when Leor inevitably came for me.

“Your wit has always impressed me,” he gave a small smile. “If only you had been my trueborn heir instead of my disappointment of a son.”

“I’m better off for your absence,” I said dismissively.

“Is that any way to talk to your father?” He mocked.

“My father is Erik Helner,” I sneered. “And ten times the elf that you’ll ever be.”

“Keep using that sharp tongue,” he tilted his head. “I wonder what smart remarks you’ll make as I kill your husband before your eyes.”

My body protested at the thought. He didn’t stand a chance in a duel against Leor, and I would sooner die than let my husband fall. But for now, I needed to save my strength.

Despite my bound wrists, I managed to wiggle myself into a sitting position. My legs were free, but Gamril sat between me and the only exit. Without the use of my hands, I couldn’t reach for an urn to smash over his skull, but there was surely something I could do to improve my situation.

The berthin powder, securely tucked under my belt, wouldn’t be of much help in the stone cocoon of the mausoleum. Yet, if I could find a way to get outside, I could use it to my advantage. The dagger Nima had given me as part of my disguise was gone.

Perhaps all I needed to do was play the part of a distraction and buy time for Leor to slip inside and put an end to Gamril once and for all.

“I wonder what your last words will be,” I gave a saccharine smile. “I suppose I’ll know soon enough.”

A heavily armored elf skulked past the doorway, stopping to glance at Gamril, who only offered him a curt nod. The man continued his patrol.

“You hired mercenaries.”

“Despite what you think of me, Zialda, I am not a stupid man.”

“You’ve tried and failed to kill Leor how many times?” I cocked my head.

“Lord Corrin wanted to ensure nothing could be traced back to us,” he sighed. “I should have dealt with Leor myself. It matters not anymore. He’ll be gone soon enough.”

“And what’s your plan then?” I pressed. “He has two siblings.”

“My plan,” he grinned. “Is to claim you as my daughter. Given you are a woman and will be so distraught over the death of your husband, no one will be surprised that you need someone to step in on your behalf. And what kind of father would I be if I didn’t offer to act as steward?”

“You think anyone will buy that?”

“I know they will. Because I will be the one selling it to them. How poor Queen Zialda nearly lost her life when the humans killed her husband. Given Orin’s age, it won’t be difficult to demonstrate that I’m the best choice to rule Fjorn.”

“Will you kill the king yourself this time? Or, once again, get the humans to do your dirty work?”

“I see you managed to read through my letters,” he smiled.

“What is the purpose in all of this? Surely you have enough money without the decreased demand from your mines.”

“It’s not about money, Zialda,” he shook his head as if I were a child, moving to pace the floor before me. “It’s about power. If I have more money than everyone else, that is power in a sense, but if I know how to use all that wealth, the power is endless.”

“To what end?”

“Control, my simple daughter. I can own every citizen I have use for. Shape the realm to my liking.”

“Sounds like you’re compensating,” I smirked.

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