Page 37 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

He meets me blow for blow as we once more dance across the clearing, our swords ringing true. My movements are quick but emotional, and he sees it. His gaze is observant and calculating.

That’s the only reason he manages to do what he does next.

He swipes under my angry strike, hitting my arm with his sword.

Both of us freeze, and my eyes track down his outstretched sword to see my blood dripping from the tip. Panting, I drag my eyes higher, across my arm, and see the small, shallow cut there.

He landed a blow.

He cut me when no one else ever has, not even Crux.

“You cut me,” I murmur, my fingers coming up to touch my blood in disbelief.

“You cut me first,” he snarls.

“Then I will again,” I growl.

I go to attack, but he grabs my sword, pressing the tip to his neck. “You win.”

“No, don’t you dare just let me win,” I hiss.

“I’m not letting you win.” He smirks. “You’ve landed five hits and cut me five times. I cut you once, so you win, and now I’m exhausted. I need to dress my wounds before my people have questions, and you need to get back before they see us. We have not exactly been quiet.”

“Fuck that. Let’s go again,” I demand.

“No, we are done.” He pushes my sword away and bows. “That was the best fight I have had in a long time.” He puts his sword away and walks past me, giving me his back, trusting I won’t attack.

“This isn’t over!” I call.

He glances over his shoulder, his eyes twinkling as he meets my gaze. “Good, I hope not. Sleep well, Princess Alyx.”

Chapter

Twenty

CRUX

She doesn’t know I’m watching her.

I know she’s capable, and I know she can look after herself, but I can’t resist trailing her as she prowls around the palace, searching for information and her target. I have my little rats working overtime, so I know we will gather some information we need, but she is a target, especially now that they all know her face.

I cannot resist protecting her, even now.

When I see her meet the king, however, fury and jealousy twine inside me. I hide in the shadows and watch them, a vice around my heart as they spar. It’s something she used to do with me. I do not think she even realises she is smiling and enjoying herself with him.

I hate it. I hate the way she looks at him.

I hate the way he looks at her as well, and when he pins her down, both of them getting far too close, I swear I feel my heart break. I cannot look away, even as he drops his head to kiss her.

How many times have I had the same thought while we were sparring? Far too many, and now this man, this stranger, this . . . this fucking king is going to steal her kiss. For all her bravado and assurances, I see her hesitate. I see her giving into him. Her eyelids slide shut to kiss him.

My soul splinters, and the agony is hard to breathe through. It feels like I’m shattering into a million pieces right here in the shadows where I belong, where I cannot reach her in the light.

She smiled at another man, a man worthy of her and who is also level with her station, a man that can give her everything she deserves and more.

Did she lie to me about all her reasons for being here? Is she lying to herself? Does she want the king? The thought nearly causes me to sprint from the darkness, but I don’t. I stay here and watch as they break apart, as he cuts her and then walks away.

I stay in the shadows where she left me.

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