Page 72 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

Courtiers and guards hurry towards us, all trying to help me up, no one quite realising what just happened.

“Oh, I am so sorry,” I call out loudly, as though I accidentally fell into him, making sure others hear me. “I just feel so sick. I need some air.”

That’s when the screaming begins, someone finally realising that Jules has been shot, his body falling to the floor with a loud thump.

Pandemonium ensues. No one seems to know what to do. Guards shout and run around, trying to make sure the king and other important people are safe. Screams, heavy footsteps, the slamming of doors, and the sound of more guards filling the room become constant in the background. It’s utter chaos, and that’s exactly how I want it. This is the perfect distraction. No one is going to remember me running across the room, focusing instead on the dead body.

Joha runs over to me, looking disturbed and shaken up, yet his first thought is to check on me. “Alyx, are you okay?”

“I bumped into this man and now there is blood . . .” Waving my hand in front of my face as though I’m trying to cool myself down, I sway on my feet, gasping as I look towards the middle of the room. “Did someone get shot?”

Guards surround us, separating Joha and me from the rest of the nobles in the room. They quickly realise that one of their guards is dead and the attacker was the one to fire the shot at Jules.

“He tried to kill the king! Take him to the cells!” one of the guards yells, taking charge of the situation.

I look around and gape at the chaos around us, fully aware that everyone is watching. Looking up at my betrothed, I blink vapidly and place my hand on his arm as though to steady myself. “Your Majesty, what just happened?”

Chapter

Thirty-Nine

ALYX

Joha helps me stay on my feet, righting my rumpled dress for me, his hand pressing against the base of my spine as he pretends to comfort me. I look around in false shock and horror as the guards pin the attacker and surround us.

“Thank you,” he murmurs softly. “Thank you for saving my life, Alyx.” He speaks louder then. “It is okay, my love. You are safe. Everything is okay.”

I turn my head as if to bury it in his shoulder, seeking comfort. He wraps his arms around me protectively, playing into it as my mouth brushes his ear.

“You’re welcome, my king.” He shivers, and I can’t help but smirk. “That was a close one. You were right, Joha. You should trust your instincts.”

More guards burst into the room led by a red-faced, furious Orion. I lean back from Joha, desire swirling in my chest at the sight of the huge man as he storms through the crowd with efficiency and power.

“Get the nobles and everyone else out of here. I only want guards, now!” he roars, and within seconds, the room is cleared of everyone but us, the guards, the attacker, and the body. It’s then I notice Crux winding through the guards, dressed in his uniform. He sends a wink my way as he ambles close to the body and crouches, pretending to check for life.

“He’s dead,” he calls to Orion. “Shall I take the body for investigation?”

Orion looks at Crux, his eyes narrowing, clearly trying to figure out who dares to question him. “My king,” I say, “are you okay? Did someone truly just try to kill you?” I cover my mouth in horror, drawing all attention to me.

“There, there, everything is okay. We are safe. Orion, I think we better take my betrothed back to her palace.” Orion looks our way, and I narrow my eyes at him, trying to speak without words. We need our hands on that body, which means letting Crux take it. It’s the closest thing we have had to a lead in days.

I glance at Crux and then Orion, and the slight tilt of my head makes him grind his teeth. “Yes, take the body away. I will escort the king and queen to their palaces for protection. The rest of you are with the assailant. I don’t want him to even move in his cell!” Guards move quickly and with precision, dragging the struggling attacker away while Crux carefully lifts the body and strides from the room, shooting me one last look. I give him a slight nod before leaning into Joha like it’s all too much for me.

My hand flutters over my chest. “Yes, yes, I think I had better lie down,” I murmur for effect.

“Let us go, my love,” Joha says, his arm around me as Orion follows. No one would dare attack again so close unless they were total fools. However, Orion escorts us to the king’s palace, and once inside, he turns to us.

“You were right, my king. I should have been there?—”

Rolling my eyes, I shove my hair up in a pin, out of my face, and interrupt his self-deprecating monologue. “I was there, and he’s safe. That’s all that matters. Stay here. I don’t think they will attack again so soon with the guards on alert, but I need to check that body for clues.”

“I will come with you,” Orion starts, no doubt wanting to be helpful.

“No, protect Joha. I cannot do both right now.” I look at him. “You were right, Joha. I guess you’re not the fool they all say you are.” With a wink, I head to the window, sliding it open and glancing back at them. “Be back soon.” I drop to the ground below and burst into a run, ready to intercept Crux and find out everything I can about Jules and why he was involved in getting the king into place, which he clearly was.

It was a trap, and I didn’t see it until it was almost too late. My fury makes me run faster, using the rooftops to avoid the patrolling guards whose eyes are sharper than ever. There was an attack on the king, and it’s something the whole palace feels. It failed, but it was close. They are getting bolder and more desperate, although that means they will make more mistakes. It also means more danger to Joha.

We need to find out who is behind this before it’s too late.

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