Page 87 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

She doesn’t deny it. Instead, she turns her head, another soft, tired sigh escaping her.

“Alyx, please tell me. I am losing it here. Everywhere I turn, I’m looking for threats. I cannot even bear to let those I trusted close. I feel like I am going insane. I need to know.”

“Knowing will not help. I wanted to wait until I was sure.” She glances back at me. “Despite everything, it will hurt you, and I’m reluctant to hurt you.”

“Please, I will beg if I have to.” It isn’t something I have ever done as king, but I will for her.

“Are you sure you can handle the truth, Joha? There is no going back once I speak it,” she asks carefully.

“It will not change just because I know it. I want to know. I need to know,” I plead.

“Queen Mother.” She lets that sink in, and something inside me shatters slightly. “I know you don’t like it, but I also know how that must sting. I cannot offer proof. I spent all day tailing her, but she is good. She plays too well, but I know it’s her, trust me. She is the one behind all the attacks on you. Your stepmother is trying to kill you and take your throne.”

It doesn’t surprise me, which is the worst bit. I let my eyes shut for a moment before opening them and looking into the eyes of a person I do trust. “I trust you.” I nod. “Even without proof. I guess, deep down, I always wondered . . .” Grinding my jaw, I laugh bitterly. “I even once suspected her of killing my father, though we could never prove it, and everyone convinced me I was simply grieving over his sudden death. I chose to believe them for the kingdom, for the throne, and for the last remaining shred of my family, but she was never my family. She was always a snake.” It hurts that she hates me so much, but if what Alyx said is true, then she definitely killed my father and did it all for the power.

I cannot let naivety or emotions stop me this time. If she killed him, then she would kill me, and I will not be a fool like my father. I will not be blinded by love and obligation.

“She always wanted power. So now that we know who’s behind it, what do we do?” I ask her, needing her to guide me.

She watches me before leaning over and kissing me softly. “I am sorry, Joha. I truly am.”

I nod and lean into her hand as she cups my cheek, letting the warmth remind me that I might have been betrayed, but she is here with me.

“We cannot outright kill Queen Mother, no matter what proof we have, and I suspect she has hidden her trail well. If what you said about your father is true, then she is good at getting away with it. No, we cannot best her that way. Instead, we need to beat her at her own game. We have the advantage now because she has nothing to hide behind. We know who she is.”

Nodding, I let her comfort me. “Then we’ll do this together. We’ll stop Queen Mother for everyone she has killed on her way to the throne.”

Power corrupts, and sometimes I worry it will change me, but as I stare into Alyx’s eyes, I know she would never let that happen. She will ground me, but when this is all over and she’s gone . . .

How will I go on without the woman who is quickly becoming my entire world?

Chapter

Forty-Eight

ALYX

Iknow I should not enjoy playing these games with Queen Mother, but I do. Maybe that makes me wicked, but when Joha and I share a smirk over our teacups, I know he is enjoying it too.

We can be wicked together.

She peers at her cup worriedly, making every excuse not to drink it while we brazenly drink ours. She suspects they are filled with poison since she had them laced this morning, but before she even had poured the poison into the tea, I’d sneaked into her rooms and changed it. It’s a simple herbal liquor for stomach aches instead, and it smells and looks the same. She’s getting bold, the deaths of her accomplices making her act out.

“Queen Mother, you offend me by not drinking with us. Is there something wrong with your tea?” Joha murmurs, watching her as he downs his cup and pours another before pointedly looking at hers.

She smiles tightly and grips the china. She expected us to drink it and die before she had to sip it. The fool. I stare into her narrowed eyes and wonder if her beauty really blinded so many to the evil in her gaze.

It fooled us for a little while.

“Of course, my king,” she murmurs. Her sudden invite for tea last night was expected. She is desperate to kill Joha, and now, it seems, me as well. She knows we are getting close, and from the tightness of her shoulders, I can tell she’s worried.

She takes a sip, holding it in her mouth, and I stand. “It’s such a pleasant day. How about a walk, my king?”

“Sounds wonderful.” He stands, and both of us tip back our cups, swallowing the contents.

“Such a lovely blend of tea, Queen Mother. You will have to share it with me.” I smile widely as she nods, refusing to talk. I almost burst into laughter at her puffy cheeks filled with what she thinks is poison. “Are you quite okay? Oh no, are you choking?” I hurry to her side, hitting her back harder than necessary. “Oh gosh.”

She coughs, swallowing and spluttering, and hits the table, making the china jump. “Thank you, you are so kind,” she sneers.

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