Page 96 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

“What can be done?” I demand.

“I—” He lifts his head, swallowing hard. “I don’t know. I do not specialize in healing poisons?—”

“Then who does?” Crux asks. “Tell me their name.”

“There is one, Master Yiel, but I heard he was taking a boat in the morning. He might have left already.” Crux is on his feet, and he glances from the healer to me before a blade presses to the man’s neck, silencing him.

“You will keep her alive until I am back with him. If not, I will kill your entire family while you watch, and only then will I end you.” He glances at Alyx once more before meeting my eyes. “I’m trusting her to you both while I’m gone. Do not let me down. Crown or no crown, I will destroy this kingdom if she dies.”

He departs as quickly as he came.

Chapter

Fifty-Three

CRUX

As I move through the city that I know like the back of my hand, my dark cloak flares out behind me as I run. No one bothers me—not the brutes in the Lowers, nor the guards in the Uppers. They take one look at me and see their deaths reflected back at them. An aura of danger seeps from me, warning everyone away from me. Even the very shadows themselves seem to move, making room for me to pass.

I do not hide, not tonight. There is not enough time to skulk in the darkness, not when Alyx is dying. No one will admit it or say the words aloud, but I have seen enough death in my time to recognise when the reaper comes knocking.

As soon as I parted with the king and Orion, leaving the reason for my existence in their care, I tracked down one of my little rats, giving him a message. He scurried away, spreading the word to the other rats in my employment, ensuring the whole city knows who I’m looking for—Master Yiel.

In addition to my network of little rats, I called in every favour I am owed. Money is one way to pay for my services, but for some, I demand a future favour as payment.

Of these, most of them are regular townsfolk who needed protection and couldn’t afford to part with their coin. However, many of those who owe me a favour are from the Uppers—lords who have gotten into trouble after one too many drinks and needed assistance. Often, blackmail is a strong motivator for hiring my services. When the noblemen are caught doing something they shouldn’t, that person will then blackmail them. That’s where I come in, making sure there are no loose lips.

Other than this, I have links with some of the other criminal groups in the city. They are nowhere near as large and organised as my assassins, but they have sway all the same. While I try to keep separate from them, I acknowledge that I need all the help I can get.

Wherever Master Yiel is, I will find him. Half the city is now looking for him, and I know it will not be long until he’s tracked down. I will take him to heal Alyx, and she will be fine. I have to believe that because if I do not, then my reason for living is gone. If she dies, then so does everyone else in this kingdom, innocent or not. Even just the thought of Alyx not surviving fills me with horror and rage, making me want to tear the palace apart brick by brick and find out who was behind the attack. I try not to think about that though, as blinding rage could cause me to make a mistake, and Alyx can’t afford for me to make a mistake right now.

While the city searches, I have been focusing on another task.

The bag thrown over my shoulder is full of every herb, potion, and antidote I can find. Apothecaries, hospitals, healers’ homes, market stalls, herbalists, you name it, I am raiding their supplies. There has to be something in this city that can help Alyx. I don’t stop to ask for permission, simply helping myself, and the few people who stumble upon me raiding their cupboards leave me in peace as soon as they see my face.

They will all be compensated at a later date. Right now, Alyx is my top priority—no, my only priority.

I’m filled with a deadly calm, my purpose clear—get the potions, find the healer, and fix Alyx.

The first part is complete, the gentle clink of glass vials knocking together as I hurry through the city. Now I need to get to the dock and see if I can help find this master.

“My king,” a small, hissing voice calls.

Stopping, I glance over my shoulder and find one of my rats hovering in the mouth of an alleyway. He looks anxious, his eyes shifting around as though he’s expecting to be hurt. This might make some worry, thinking the behaviour is because he has bad news to share. I don’t bother to assume, knowing my little rats always cower before me.

“Tell me,” I demand, knowing he must have news. They would not dare to disturb me otherwise.

“We found the healer at the docks.”

A weight lifts from my shoulders, and a wave of relief so strong washes over me that I almost sag and shout my thanks to whatever gods are watching. I don’t let him see any of this though. Never show any weakness—that is rule number one in surviving in this shithole.

Keeping my shoulders back and head high, I give him a curt nod. “Good. Secure him and get him to the palace.”

The rat scampers off, disappearing into the darkness faster than the eye can see. It’s only as I stand in that deserted street, knowing we now have a healer who can fix my love, that I can admit to myself just how terrified I have been at the thought of losing her. Anger is a good mask for hiding emotions, but it seems that mask was so good that it even fooled me.

Releasing a long, shaky breath, I turn in the opposite direction of the docks and look up the street towards the palace.

I’m coming, Alyx. Hold on, my love.

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