Page 20 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

“Honestly? Everyone.” He gives me a bitter smile. “No one wanted me to be king. They were all hoping Queen Mother would have a boy child with the king, who would then inherit the throne, but she did not before his death. Therefore, the throne and the duty fell to me. When I was younger, I was foolish. I was not easily manipulated or turned. I fought back and rallied, and I’m paying for that now. No matter how dumb or malleable I appear, they know I am someone willing to fight for his beliefs, so that leaves the scholars, council members, noble families, and even Queen Mother. Take your pick. They all want me gone.”

“Well shit.” I chuckle. “Tell me about the attempts. The ways in which a person kills tells you a lot about them.”

Joha leans forward, his handsome face and bright eyes lit by candlelight as he smiles. “What does your method say about you, I wonder?”

“That I hate everyone and I enjoy killing.” I flutter my lashes as he barks out a laugh and leans back once more. I feel Orion’s eyes on me, but I ignore him until he speaks, cutting through the tension.

“Two poisonings, three failed blade assassinations, and a suspected carriage accident.” He lists them off without a hint of emotion, but when I glance at him, I see fury in his gaze.

“Poisoning is a woman’s method. It’s personal and filled with hatred. They want you to suffer but not be found. It’s smart and often successful. The others came after the poisonings?” I muse out loud.

“Yes.” Orion nods, stilling his hand on his blade.

“Then it’s likely one person who changed their tactics after the poisoning failed. The longer you survive, the more desperate they will be to kill you. That’s good.”

“How is that good?” Joha asks, but he doesn’t seem overly bothered by the fact that we are discussing his death.

“Desperation means sloppy work. Sloppy work means they are easier to catch.”

“I see,” Joha murmurs. “I knew there was a reason I hired you.”

“What about your guards and servants,” I begin.

“I do not trust anyone,” Joha admits softly, eyeing me before looking at the candle. “I feel like everyone is against me. I never know whom I can trust here, except Orion. That is why you are here. Right now, I would lose an outright war against those feeding on our city. We must play their game.”

“I am good at games.” I sit up and nod. “Then it’s settled. We will find whoever is trying to kill you, kill them?—”

“Or arrest them,” Joha interrupts, eyeing me sternly.

“Fine, fine, or arrest them.” I lower my voice then add, “Probably kill them.” I grin. “And then I get everything you promised, and you get a happy kingdom and palace.” I hold my hand out. “Deal, Joha?”

“You should address him as Your Majesty,” Orion grumbles.

I don’t take my eyes from Joha, though, and with a matching grin, he takes my hand, but rather than shake it, he lifts it to his mouth and places a gentle, promising kiss on my knuckles. “Deal, Alyx.”

“We must get you back, Your Majesty, before someone finds you missing.” Orion stands, putting his blade away.

“Of course,” Joha tells Orion before turning to me. “You can rest here tonight. Do not make too much noise or light. Soldiers patrol the grounds, and if you are caught, I will not help you. I do not have the power to do so,” he warns, and I see a flash of anger in his eyes before he rises gracefully. “Until tomorrow, Alyx.”

“Until tomorrow, Your Majesty,” I tease.

He shoots me a smile before moving to the door and leaving. Orion gives me another searching look as he leaves the lantern.

“If you put him in danger, I will kill you myself.”

“I’d love to see you try,” I retort. “Oh, Orion?”

He stills, shooting me a concerned look. “There are some things I will need.” Grabbing a piece of parchment, I quickly scribble out a list and throw it towards him.

He catches it midair, snatching it with lightning-fast reflexes despite his size. “Not bad,” I tell him.

He sighs. “Behave, shorty.”

“Me? Never.” I wink.

Shaking his head, he follows his king, leaving me in the dimly lit room. I almost laugh at the idea that he expects me to stay put.

There is so much more to do, and while the king is away, the assassin will play.

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