Page 59 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

I make my way over to the baths, avoiding the guards, and once behind the stout, one-story building set next to the wall, I let the change come over me. Gone is the smiling princess, and in her place is the assassin. Heading to the slightly open window at the back, I peer inside and almost snort at what I find.

Low, wooden baths are set into a deep floor and spread out across the room, steam wafting throughout. Luckily, all are empty bar a larger one at the back, where a nobleman, whom I am assuming is A’lan, rests. His arms are spread across the back, leaving his scrawny chest on display, and his head is tipped back, his black hair slicked with water and sweat. He wears a happy grin on his lips as he floats in the flower-filled water.

Lifting the window, I keep my eyes on him as I slide inside and land on silent feet. He still does not move, so I head up the ramp to the main entrance, where I slide the wooden bolt through the double door.

“Is someone there?” he calls, not worried in the slightest.

The fool.

I giggle. “Just an attendant, Lord Wrynn.”

“Oh, attend away.” The smirk is evident in his voice, and the dumbass just confirmed everything I need to know. Grabbing a robe from the side, I wrap it around my body and steal a water jug, keeping my head down as if in respect as I hurry through the baths. I kneel slightly to the side and behind him. “Would you like some water, my lord?”

“Yes.” He picks up a goblet and holds it out without even looking at me. “I have been waiting far too long.”

“I am very sorry, my lord. I was busy.” I make my voice smaller as I pour the water, and when it starts to overflow, he turns with a glare.

“Do your job properly,” he begins.

“Okay.” I shrug as I smash the jug into his head.

He yells and falls into the water with a splash, sputtering as he nearly drowns. He gets to his feet, his hand on his head. “You dare attack me? Me? I will have your head for this!”

“I’d be worried about your other head right now.” I smirk, still crouched as my eyes drop down his very unimpressive naked body to where his cock bobs in the water.

Gasping, he covers himself, looking around as his cheeks redden. “You . . . You . . .”

“Me . . . Me . . . ,” I mock as I tilt my head, watching him. “Relax, you don’t have anything I want to see, trust me.” I laugh as he swings his head to me, obviously realising we are the only ones here and no one is coming to help him.

“Who are you?” he asks, his haughty noble attitude in full effect despite the fact that I just hit him and he’s naked. Truly, their audacity never ceases to amaze me.

Tugging the coin from my pocket, I hold it up to the light. “Does this look familiar?”

“No, now get out!” he roars.

Tossing it to him, I watch him catch it more out of reflex than anything else—thank fuck because I don’t want to root around in his body soup water. “Take a closer look, my lord,” I mock. “You left this behind. Now, you have two options. Either tell me who you are working with to assassinate the king”—I watch his face pale in realisation, his mouth opening and closing on denials and excuses I do not let him speak—“and I’ll let you die with dignity or don’t tell me, and I’ll spend my time making you and then you’ll die without dignity, left to float in your own filthy water, naked, to be found in all your glory.” I grin widely. “Oh, and then I’ll destroy your entire family.”

He looks from the coin to me, his eyes wide and scared.

“Do not think I won’t,” I warn, sliding a dagger from my thigh and letting it catch the light. “I grow tired of waiting.”

“I cannot tell you.” His shoulders slump, and tears glisten in his eyes. For all his bravado, he’s afraid. “I fear them more than I could ever fear you, so kill me because it won’t stop them. Nothing will. They are everywhere, and they are more powerful than you could ever imagine. They are untouchable. You’ve chosen the losing side.”

“And you chose their side, yet you’re going to die here alone. Isn’t that losing?” I murmur softly. Annoyance flares within me at the resolve I see in his gaze. Despite his attitude, he’s stronger than I imagined. He won’t speak. I’ve tortured and killed enough people to know that. He might break eventually, but he would never tell me what I want, and I would waste too much time. It seems like every lead I track down is another dead end.

If he knows who is behind this, however, then there will be someone else who does as well.

I will find out who and, powerful or not, I will destroy them. They think they are untouchable, but they have no idea who they are playing with.

“I guess you’re right.” He smiles sadly. “I didn’t do it just for the money. I don’t know why I’m telling you this, but I am. I suppose someone should know if I’m going to die. It wasn’t just the money.”

“Then what was it?” I ask curiously, despite my anger.

“Love,” he admits. “Love makes us do foolish things, don’t you think? Whether it be family love, romantic, or friendship. We do things we never thought we would in the name of those we care for.”

“And the one you did this for . . . were they worth it?” I murmur.

He blinks, his smile dropping. “I thought so at the time, but time changes everything, even those you thought you knew. I’m ready.” He nods, wading through the water until he stands before me with more courage than I thought him capable of. “Try not to make it too messy. I don’t want my family to suffer.”

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