Page 60 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

“I am the best, so it will be clean,” I tell him despite everything I told him I would do. I soften my voice, ignoring my own frustration. “Close your eyes so you won’t know it’s coming and think of something happy.”

He might have accepted this out of greed, but he’s just a man trapped by his choice, one that leads him to death, and part of me feels sorry for him.

His eyes close, and although I strike out of frustration at another dead end, I also make the slice clean. The knife slips through his neck like butter, the cut so deep he won’t feel it over the shock. He falls back with a gasp, reflexively reaching for his neck as he chokes. I watch. I refuse to look away. I took his life, so it is my duty.

When he stops fighting, his lifeless body floats in the red bathwater. It’s a warning and a promise to those behind it.

I see you. I’m coming for you.

Reaching over, I pluck the bloodied coin from the water and pocket it as I stand.

With one last look at the man who chose to die rather than betray those behind this, a new sort of determination fills me.

I will end this once and for all.

Chapter

Thirty-Two

CRUX

Iwatch as Alyx sneaks outside, slipping out of the window as quickly as she climbed in. The bottom of her purple dress is wet—with blood or water, I don’t know, but knowing her, it’s probably blood.

It seems my girl has been busy, but so have I.

I know she has been looking for me. No doubt by now, my Alyx knows I saved her precious little king. She’s smart, and she knows I don’t do anything without cause, so she is probably worried about what I want from him. She should, however, be more worried about what I want from her, and I usually wouldn’t avoid her, but I had important matters to take care of, and one day, she will understand why.

Everything I do is for her.

Besides, a little longing won’t harm her. It’s good she looked for me. It proves she still cares and that after our kiss, she still wants me.

I wait for her, leaning against the wood building where it faces the wall, offering us some privacy. I can’t help but grin when she spots me, her eyes flashing with that fire that drives me crazy. Her back straightens as she marches straight up to me, poking my chest.

“You! Where have you been? I searched for you all night,” she hisses.

My hand drifts out, capturing some stray strands of her fiery hair. She smacks me away, and I sigh. “Missed me, did you?” I ask, not necessarily to avoid the conversation, but because I’m genuinely curious.

“You wish. I mean it, Crux. Where were you?” Her arms fold over her chest, pushing her breasts up until they almost spill from her dress. My mouth goes dry at the sight, and the same desire I always feel when she is near, or even mentioned, pumps through my veins.

I wonder if she would be scared if she knew how much I craved her and all the dirty, depraved things I imagine doing to her even now, when she is standing here in her princess dress, looking divine and untouchable.

I like the leathers, but there is something about dresses that drives me equally crazy. I want to rip them, stain them, hike them up, and feel the skirts wrapped around me as I pound into her tight body. It’s the image that keeps flashing through my brain, even as her lips twist in anger.

“I mean it though. Did you miss me?” I ask seriously.

I watch her throat bob as she swallows, something in her softening as she searches my gaze. “Crux,” she murmurs. It’s just my name, but I am lost. I would give her anything.

“Hunting,” I growl, offering some truth. I don’t tell her who or what. She doesn’t need to know yet, but Alyx should understand that everything I do is for her.

I push from the wall, and our positions change quickly as her back hits the building and I lean closer.

Despite it, she doesn’t back down, tilting her head up in defiance. “Leave the king alone, Crux.”

“Hmm.” I just continue to stare, unable to do anything else.

She’s just so fucking magnificent. Her anger drives me wild, and I wish she would unleash it across me.

“I mean it, Crux. Do not make me your enemy,” she warns, her eyes flashing with a fury so beautiful, it renders me speechless for a moment.

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