Page 29 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

When I force my eyes away, I realise there is someone else with her—Queen Mother and her guards.

I watch as Queen Mother pats Alyx’s arm. Her smile is more akin to the venomous snakes one would find in the Lowers than anything sweet, but Alyx flutters her lashes and smiles stupidly at the woman as she turns and wanders away, taking her guard with her and leaving Alyx completely alone.

For a newly betrothed queen, it’s an insult, but for me, it’s perfect.

When Alyx turns, she rolls her eyes, her true expression showing as she picks up her skirts in annoyance and stomps past me on her way back to the king. “Fucking bodices. Why do they want to make it so hard to breathe?” she mutters, and I have to swallow my laugh, even as I step forward.

My arm slips around her throat and drags her into the shadows with me. She struggles, her dress getting in the way and slowing her down, which is the only reason I manage to pin her to the wall, my mouth going to her ear. “Hello, little assassin,” I purr.

She softens at my voice but recovers quickly, and her elbow meets my gut with such force, it actually pushes me back a step, and within seconds, she spins and produces a blade from gods knows where, pressing it to my neck as she glares at me.

“Crux.”

Chapter

Sixteen

ALYX

He stares at me like I’m a stranger, and I very nearly shrink under his dark, watchful gaze until I force myself to stand taller. I refuse to be ashamed, my hand holding the blade straight and true.

His eyes dart to it, and he steps into its path, pressing the tip just above his heart, though I have no idea why. I frown as he watches me. Crux is dressed in a guard’s uniform, a major if I’m not mistaken from the marks on his shoulder.

Did he steal it or kill for it?

He looks good in it, I’ll admit, since it’s more form-fitting than his usual leathers, displaying his thick thighs and meaty arms. I can almost see his abs through the material before I drag my eyes back to his, seeing something burn in his gaze as he stares at me.

If anyone came upon us, they would see a newly appointed queen-to-be with a blade to a major’s heart, but it’s so much more than that. Despite the disguises we wear, we are the assassin and the thief king.

We are Crux and Alyx, just like we always have been, despite everything that was said.

He’s here.

Despite it all, he’s here, leaving his kingdom in the Lowers like he vowed he would never do. Why? How? I want to ask, but his mouth opens first.

“You fucking left,” he accuses.

Sighing, I drop the blade and lean back. “I told you I was.”

“I didn’t think you actually would,” he grumbles, his eyes flashing with an anger so strong, most would cut out their own hearts and hand it to him to make it stop. Mine beats faster, as if wanting to break free and fly to him. I wonder if he knows he already owns the traitorous organ in my chest. “Why are you doing this, Alyx?”

“I’m not going over this again,” I argue, ready to slip away. He slams his hand into the building, making my eyes snap back to him. I watch his nostrils flare as he slams his other hand next to me, trapping me.

We both know I could get free if I wanted, but I relax, giving Crux the benefit of the doubt. “Talk to me.” His voice changes, almost pleading, and I frown. “We don’t keep secrets, Alyx. Please, tell me why.” He swallows hard, searching my eyes.

I realise he’s trying to understand.

His anger is gone, and mine melts away in the face of his pain. Wouldn’t I be here doing the same if I were him? Taking a deep breath, I meet his eyes and decide what to say. It’s never been this hard between us before, and I hate how much we are already changing, but I know better than anyone that change comes for everyone, and what’s left after that is what’s worth fighting for.

Is Crux? Are we?

I hope so.

Leaving him behind nearly cut my soul apart.

“It’s a good job,” I start, and he snarls.

“Cut the shit, Alyx. I know you too well for you to lie to me. If you don’t want to tell me, fine, but don’t fucking insult me,” he snaps, slamming his fist next to me, but I don’t flinch like most would. I know, even in his deepest anger, Crux would never hurt me. He would rather cut himself to pieces. “Is it because of him?”

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