Page 70 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

I snort, my nostrils flaring with agitation at the mere suggestion. “I do not love her.” I put emphasis on the words, slashing my hand through the air between us. “It is purely physical attraction, nothing more. You are the most important person to me. I have dedicated my life to making sure you are safe, and that will not change now that she is here.” My sense of duty burns in the back of my mind, and I take a deep breath for what I have to say next. “However, I understand if you no longer trust me and feel the need to demote me. I can recommend some trusted guards to take my position.”

The words taste like acid, but I have to be honest. Our relationship is built on trust, and if I have shattered that, then I am no good as his guard.

“Orion, stop.” Crossing the room, he places his hands on my shoulders and fixes his gaze on me. “You are the only person I want protecting me. Thank you for being honest with me.” Sighing, he drops his arms and takes a step back, brushing some of his long hair from his face. “I have no idea what is between Alyx and me. I will not pretend as though I don’t like her. She is a beautiful woman, and she intrigues me. Everything about her pulls me in, but I know how dangerous loving a woman like her would be.”

His words are like a kick in the chest, but I force myself to ignore the feeling and slowly nod my head. “I strongly recommend not getting romantically involved with her. However, I will support you no matter what you decide.”

Despite my twisted feelings over Alyx, I mean every word I say to my king. My recommendation doesn’t come from selfish motivations, but as pure desire for him to be safe and happy.

“Thank you, friend.” His eyes sparkle, and a smile pulls at his lips, lighting up his whole face. “We should do this more often.”

“I do not know if you are talking about the heart-to-heart or getting involved with an assassin,” I remark, my voice full of mirth. “Either way, my beard is going to be completely grey by the end of the year.”

Joha laughs and slaps me on the shoulder. “Me too, Orion. Me too.”

Chapter

Thirty-Eight

ALYX

The gentle sound of string instruments and the warmth of the room attempt to lull me to sleep. My constant fatigue isn’t helping with the situation. During the night, I have been searching the palace or sneaking into the city to get information. Every spare moment when I am not playing princess has been spent training to keep me in top shape, and it is starting to take its toll.

Sooner or later, I will have to have a full night’s sleep to recover from all the snooping and spying. Despite the little rats Crux has scurrying around the palace for information, the trail of the king’s attempted murderer has gone cold, which is why I am struggling to keep myself awake during yet another session in court.

What does not help is that I find these gatherings so boring. Each one is the same with the same people, sharing the same gossip and trying to one-up each other. These places are dangerous, though, and I can’t risk falling asleep in front of these people.

“You look tired, my dear,” Queen Mother coos from my side, instinctively making me grit my teeth. “I do hope that my son’s midnight visits aren’t causing too much disruption to your sleep schedule.”

Somehow, she knows that Joha has been visiting me in the night, which means someone is watching and feeding the information to her. We need to be more careful. All we need is another rumour and they might decide I am not suitable to be married to the king, whether the rumours are true or not. Her comment does confirm that she does not know what we have been doing. Oh, she assumes I am promiscuous, something that is better for her to believe than what is actually happening.

Smiling sweetly, I turn to look at her, batting my lashes several times. “I don’t know about any late-night visits, Queen Mother, but I can assure you I am sleeping well.”

She will not call me out in front of everyone, not without evidence, but I can practically hear the cogs turning in her mind as she attempts to work out the best way to cut me down. It is almost laughable, her jealousy as bright as the emerald-green dress she chose for today. We look like complete opposites, with my dress a seafoam so pale that it almost appears white, the layers of fabric much lighter and fluid than the stiff gowns I usually wear.

“Oh, what a surprise,” Queen Mother says, her attention pulled to the other side of the room. “The king has decided to join us. How lovely.”

The tightness in the way she speaks tells me exactly what she thinks of the king’s attendance, and it’s certainly not “lovely.” However, I find that I am happy to see him. He looks particularly handsome today, his navy-blue jacket perfectly displaying his physique.

The guests seem to notice him at the same time we get to our feet to greet him. Their bows and curtsies are like a wave as he walks through the groups of courtiers until he gets to us on the dais. Both Queen Mother and I dip into welcoming curtsies as is expected of us.

I have not spoken to him since our argument last night, and until now, I thought I was still angry with him, but with him here in front of me, our fight seems pointless. All thoughts of last night flee my mind as I take in the tension in his shoulders and the tight expression on his face.

Something is wrong.

“We didn’t expect to see you here today, Your Majesty.” Queen Mother is either oblivious to the king’s mood or she just does not care. Neither would surprise me about her.

Plastering on a tight, fake smile, he meets her gaze. “A last-minute decision, Queen Mother. Don’t let me interrupt, though. I simply wanted a word with my betrothed.”

“Of course, Your Majesty,” I reply quickly before Queen Mother can object, and then I take his proffered hand.

He leads me away from the crowd and into one of the secluded alcoves of the hall close to the entrance. It is far quieter here, the only people even slightly close being the palace guards.

“What is wrong?” I ask quietly as soon as we are out of earshot.

He smiles at me, but it’s off, not the usual wide smile I’ve come to expect from him. “Can’t a man just want to see his betrothed?”

He’s attempting to downplay whatever is bothering him, and that just tells me this is more serious than I first thought. I give him a look that portrays exactly what I think of his question and wait for him to explain himself properly.

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