Page 23 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

I wait for her to finish her curtsy, making sure to drag it out to almost a disrespectful amount of time before I finally address her, something I know infuriates her, but with so many witnesses, she cannot make a scene. Above all else, she protects her image of a doting Queen Mother and widow of the former king.

“Oh, Queen Mother, good, you are here. I was worried that you might not get the message about today’s meeting in time.” Keeping the wide smile on my face, I run my eyes over her discreetly. Despite the last-minute invitation to the meeting, she looks impeccable as usual. Her deep purple dress is just a couple of shades off my colour, more blue than purple, in her own silent protest that no one else would notice. I see it though, along with her barely restrained contempt for me. Four ladies-in-waiting stand behind her—two holding the train of her dress, one carrying a folded parasol, and another cooling her with a white lace fan.

As she dips her head in acknowledgement, her smile is poisonous. “It was certainly a surprise,” she replies carefully. Glancing around, she takes in the huge gathering of noblemen before returning her gaze to me, her brow raised in question. “What is this all about? Is all well?”

She could not care less if something was amiss. If something was truly wrong, she would have been notified by one of my guards or advisors. Her little spies would whisper it to her, yet she knows nothing about this, and it’s clearly driving her mad. She’s suspicious, and I will admit that this is out of character for the person they believe me to be. To organise something of this scale is above what many of them think I am capable of, and I can practically see her thoughts spinning around her cunning mind. She is smarter than most, but she also wants to believe this act so she can continue to rule the kingdom with me as her puppet.

“He will not tell us, Your Majesty,” Advisor Ruik cuts in snidely, standing just to her side.

Pinning me with a look of disappointment, she tilts her head to one side. “What is this, Joha? Your advisors are here to help you. They cannot do that if you do not allow them to.” Her eyes gleam with annoyance. “Think of your people.”

“That is exactly what I am doing, Queen Mother, but I thank you for your concern.”

The comment on its own is innocent enough, but this time, I do not hide my anger, so it’s more of a snap than anything I have dared to say to her in years. I let it burn in my eyes for precisely two seconds, plenty long enough for her to see. I should not have done it, and I know that I play up to their assumptions of me, but to imply that I am not doing the best for my people when I do everything to keep them safe is an insult I cannot let slide.

Her eyes widen and then quickly narrow, seeing right through my now neutral mask. She’s about to argue with me and possibly even make a scene in front of everyone. She might even attempt to provoke me into revealing myself by making an announcement to those gathered that the meeting has been cancelled.

I feel Orion stiffen beside me before clearing his throat, ready to step in and protect me from any and all threats, including the Queen Mother.

That never happens though. As if the old gods know we need something to break the tense atmosphere between us, the doors at the back of the throne room suddenly swing open. I am not even sure when they closed, but I certainly noticed the moment they opened once more, and I am not the only one.

Shock ripples through the crowd like a wave, slowly reaching me on my throne. Several gasps reach my ears, but I pay them no heed, my eyes locked straight ahead.

Light filters into the room, and there, standing in the doorway with the sun shining behind her like an angel, she is.

Alyx.

Thanks to the way the light shines behind her, I can only see her silhouette, yet I still know it is her. Like a kick in my chest, the surety of it rings through my entire body.

Taking a few silent, dainty steps into the hall, she pauses as the doors slowly shut behind her, and I can finally make her out.

Everyone falls silent, and I do not blame them.

Her auburn hair has been brushed and oiled to perfection, the locks gleaming in the updo it’s been tamed and pinned into. Tiny pearls are nestled into her hair, catching the light as she turns her head. Two curls hang around her face, framing her flawless skin as she tilts her head demurely.

The dress is a work of art in its own right, and I do not have the faintest clue where she got it from, as it certainly was not one of those provided in the concubines’ palace. My mouth goes dry at the sight. Although Alyx looks formidable and attractive beyond reason in her black assassin gear, Alyx in a dress is almost enough to send me tumbling from my throne. Cream in colour, the dress has a fitted bodice and modest, scooping neckline. Loose, floaty sleeves end at her elbow, the fabric slightly sheer so I am able to see the skin of her arms. The skirt cascades down to the floor in gentle folds of fabric, making it easy to move around in but still beautiful and elegant. What really sets off the dress, however, are the tiny purple flowers that are embroidered into the fabric. They are scattered evenly throughout the bodice, but the flowers increase at her waist and seem to flow down the skirt, lessening until there are only a few around the hem.

It’s a beautiful dress, but there are several things about it that make it so perfect. Firstly, she looks like a lady, someone who could fit in amongst the crowd of staring nobles. Secondly, the flowers are purple, my purple. It gives a statement, especially once everyone knows the real reason she’s here. Thirdly, the dress creates a youthful, girly appearance, the perfect ruse for my spy. She looks nothing like the hardened assassin I met the other night. In fact, I feel like I am seeing her properly for the first time.

Her eyes are lined like that of the ladies that flock to me, her lashes dipped in a substance and extended. Her cheeks are flushed, and her plush lips are stained a deep purple to match the dress, which fades to a pale pink at her cupid’s bow. She seems softer, or maybe that is just the lack of weapons on her body, though I have no doubt she has some concealed somewhere.

After all, you can put an assassin in a dress, but you cannot change who they are.

I like that I am the one behind the secret for once and that when her gaze meets mine, we’ll both know the truth, even if no one else will. Her eyes flash for a moment, making me smirk. It is the same Alyx, even if she looks nothing like the feral assassin I met in a muddy alley.

After giving everyone a chance to see her, she starts to walk towards me, practically floating through the hall with a gentle, almost timid smile gracing her rosy lips. The watching nobles clear a path for her, filling in behind her once she’s passed. It’s becoming clear to everyone that she has something to do with the reason they have all been called here, and Queen Mother seems to have realised that too.

“Who is she, Your Majesty?” Queen Mother demands, quickly tacking on my honorific as she watches Alyx glide towards us.

I ignore her, my eyes locked on Alyx. I could not speak even if I wanted to. She consumes my entire focus as she glides towards me. Is it possible that this isn’t actually her? Does she have a twin sister I do not know about? Somehow, in those short hours, she’s completely changed. Something about her demeanour and the way she holds herself catches my attention, and I realise that she’s even walking differently. She looks like one of us. How did she learn the correct mannerisms so quickly? I was expecting to have to brush over slip-ups and teach her how to navigate the court, but it looks like I might not need to.

I’m getting ahead of myself. Just because she made herself look pretty and she’s walking differently does not mean that she actually knows how to survive life in the palace.

Someone clears their throat beside me, their anger at my distraction pretty clear. I would love to say that I was ignoring Queen Mother on purpose and that it all played into my plan, but that would be a lie. I am completely captivated by Alyx, and I’m struggling to think of anything other than her. At least I will not have to pretend to be enamoured with her.

Continuing to ignore Queen Mother, I turn my head slightly and glance up at Orion. I expect to see his standard frown, since he has made his disapproval of Alyx pretty clear, but I am blown away by the surprise and hint of admiration in his eyes as he watches her too.

I don’t blame him.

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