Page 115 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

I’m not the only one surprised by the guard’s gall. Scowling, Orion steps forward until he’s almost touching him. “The king and his betrothed order the doors to be open.” Voice low and full of restrained anger, he stares down the male.

“But—” The guard looks over Orion’s shoulder to take in the king, his face twisting with indecision. The other guards shift on their feet awkwardly, confirming they have been given strict instructions not to allow the king access.

“Whose rule do you follow?” Joha asks quietly but firmly. “Mine or Queen Mother’s?”

This is a pivotal moment. Without their backing, we will not stand a chance. We are taking a bet on the guards remembering the king’s kindness compared to her cruelty.

There is a beat of silence as the guard absorbs this. It stretches on, making my heart skip in worry before the guard jerks his head in a sharp nod. After saluting the king, he turns his attention to the other guards, addressing them with authority. “Open the doors.”

I nearly slump in relief, but I do not let that weakness show. The guards are with us. We can do this. Thankfully, the others don’t debate the decision and the doors are heaved open. I squeeze Joha’s hand, letting him know I’m here to support him. This is it. This is the moment we have been waiting for. Joha looks composed and regal, but I can feel the slight tremble of his hand, giving away his true feelings.

A male voice reaches us as the doors slowly open, but he cuts himself off at our interruption. Questioning noises and low chatter start from the observing nobility, heads turning in our direction.

“What is the meaning of this?” the speaker demands, one of the many advisors Joha has on his council. He’s angry that someone would dare to interrupt him while he’s speaking. However, that quickly stops as we step into the hall.

“Oh, Your Majesty,” he greets, dropping into a shallow bow.

We are framed in the door for a moment, both of us standing tall as we run our eyes over every single person. We do not fill the silence, letting them feel the awkwardness, and as a unit, we step forward, walking steadily down the path created through the throng. The gathered crowd’s whispers die as we take our time, letting them look their fill. Ahead, on the dais, Joha’s council and advisors are seated in a semicircle. Right in the centre, sitting on Joha’s throne and draped in diamonds, is Queen Mother. Her eyes widen in shock before they flash with anger she tries to hide but cannot.

How dare she? Red-hot fury fuels me. This woman is going down. I am determined to see it through. I should not be surprised that she is fully taking Joha’s place after what I know of her and what she is trying to do, yet to be so blatant about it . . . She’s sitting on the king’s throne in front of a full audience. She had to know how this would look to the nobility. Rumours would have been flying about a takeover before the nobles even left the palace.

The nobles part around us like the ocean, tracking our every movement as we head right to the dais. Joha’s guards surround us, making it very clear how little we trust these people. It’s a statement, a warning. Perhaps the guards can sense just how hostile those on the small stage feel towards the king and are reacting to it, but they are on high alert, their eyes sharp and commanding. Joha and I stand at the front of our little group, with Orion just off to the side, close enough to leap forward and protect us if necessary. Crux and the healer are behind us, staying close as we form a barrier before the traitors and their leader.

Staring up at Queen Mother, I narrow my eyes on her, refusing to bow or cower to her anymore. She doesn’t seem flustered by our presence, which just makes me angrier. Dipping her head in a pathetic show of deference, she smiles slightly and rests her hands in her lap in a serene manner, but I see her fingers clenching as she tries to hide her irritation

“Your Majesty, it is a surprise to see you. You should be protected in your rooms,” she calls, her voice filling the space. Practised, false concern laces her tone, but I see the hatred in her eyes.

She might have been able to order him around before, but that is no longer how things work. Joha is king, and as such, he makes the decisions about his own safety. The way she speaks to him is like he’s an unruly teenager she is scolding, and even those surrounding us pick up on it, murmuring to each other.

I have no doubt her plan was to keep him locked away until he was forgotten and then get rid of him quietly, taking all his power and supporters away from him, but she failed to recognise one thing.

He has me, and I would slay this entire kingdom before that happened.

Clearing his throat, Joha steps forward. “Well, Queen Mother, it is a surprise to see you in my throne. I have only been gone a few days.” His eyes turn steely as he stares at her, no hint of the puppet king in sight. “You are my father’s widow and nothing else. I am king, and you should remember that.”

For a brief moment, I see shock flicker through her eyes, but she quickly brushes it off and tilts her head to one side. “Is there a reason you have come bursting into a meeting?” Gesturing to the room and everyone watching, she gives a small, curt smile. “As you can see, most of the court is in attendance. Why don’t we save this until after the meeting?—”

Joha shakes his head. “No, now is a perfect time. Everyone should see this.” Turning, he addresses his guards, his voice stern and filled with power. In this moment, he is a true king. “Arrest Queen Mother and take her to the dungeons.”

Gasps fill the air, and not just those of the watching lords and ladies. Even the councilmen on the stage seem shocked and horrified. The guards are confused, hovering at the edge of the dais, but they make no move to arrest her, looking around for confirmation from their seniors.

“This is ridiculous!” the councilman from before blusters, his face turning tomato red. “On what grounds?”

I cannot believe how they speak to their king. Once this is all done, there will need to be a major cull of council members who were influenced by Queen Mother. Still, I say nothing, waiting at the king’s side until I’m needed, keeping my gaze on the woman behind this.

She is the threat, and I know all too well what a woman like her is capable of when cornered. That’s when she is at her most dangerous.

“Murder, treason, and hiring assassins to attempt to murder the king,” Joha answers, his voice loud and clear, leaving no room for misunderstanding. “Take your pick. She is the one who arranged the many attempts on my life. Queen Mother has been very clever about it, not having direct contact with the assassins and using her contacts to order the hits instead, but we know the truth now, and she will face the consequences of her actions.”

“What proof do you have, Your Majesty?” a councilman asks, but it’s asked as respectfully as a question such as this could be. I examine the male. He’s one of the older council members, his long grey beard covering most of his lower face, but he has thoughtful, pale blue eyes. This is a man who takes in all the facts before making a decision.

Crux steps forward, clearing his throat to pull the room’s attention to him. “In the dungeons is an assassin who attempted to take the king’s life several nights ago. He obviously failed, but he knew exactly where the king would be—locked away in his palace thanks to the Queen Mother.”

“That is circumstantial, and you really believe the words of an assassin?” Queen Mother counters before turning to address the court. “Why do you think I would do something like this? As you can see, the king has been struggling recently with all the attempts on his life and it has muddled his mind. It’s one of the reasons I should take hold of his position while he heals. This was my greatest fear. Much like his father, he is weak.”

Gaping at her gall, I feel sick to my stomach. To lie like this and attempt to make others believe that Joha is unwell is treason, yet she keeps going. She’s gotten too comfortable in that throne, and now it’s time to evict her.

“She wants to be queen,” I call out, interrupting what would have been a convincing tirade, my voice ringing around the room. I never take my eyes off her, finally breaking my silence. I let her see the truth in my eyes—she will pay for touching what is mine. “She knows that the only way it will ever happen is if she kills Joha before he has an heir. You are smart, Queen Mother, but not smart enough. Your strength is also your weakness—your need for power and willingness to do anything to get it.”

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