Page 62 of Bloodguard

“Why?” I ask.

“Why do you think?” he asks, genuinely confused.

When I don’t answer, Soro huffs a sigh and plops onto that ridiculous phoenix chair. “Maeve, Andres wanted your grandmother out of the way. Hesaved you from the fire. He gotyouout. As a general, as theprince, he should’ve saved the queen. But he didn’t. I know you love your papa, but he didn’t just abandon Avianna.” He leans in. “He pushed her into the flames when she tried to rise. He killed the queen.”

My stomach twists as disbelief mixes with anger.

Even after hearing these words over and over again…I just can’t make myself believe them.

Despite the trial, the purported witnesses, even Papa not denying a single thing…it just doesn’t make sense. Papa would never hurt Queen Avianna, his own mother.

Worse, Soro isn’t gloating or baiting me. He isn’t even trying to be cruel.

I’ve known him my whole life, and right now he’s speaking with sincerity. Whatever the truth may be, Soro believes what he’s telling me.

He expels a deep breath when all I do is stare. “Maeve, look. Forget Avianna. She’s gone. You want the throne, take it, but take it with me as your husband. I need you for the throne, and you’ll need me to handle what you’re incapable of doing on your own.”

“And what is that?”

He smiles. “Painting your hands with blood.”

chapter 23

Leith

The woman standing at the door to the cottage is not Maeve.

Giselle is wearing brown today—gloves, dress, boots, cape. She looks like a fucking tree trunk. A nice tree trunk, but still… “What do you want?”

She turns behind her, to where Caelen, his hair braided above the shaved sides of his head in the style of Arrow’s military elite, raises his eyebrows at me.“Did you see where it went?” she asks him. The little thing lifts her skirt and checks her feet.“It’s got to be around here somewhere.”

“What are you doing?” I demand.

“Just looking for my will to live,” she says.“Your idea of a good morning sent it running.” She offers me one of her hands.“Care to try again?”

Her leather gloves give me pause. They’re thick, closer to what a blacksmith would use, and very unlike the fine dress and cape she wears now.

She clears her throat.

I roll my eyes.

“Good morning, Giselle,” I force myself to say, shaking her hand quickly.

I nod at her companion.“Caelen.”

A nod is all he offers, and I could give a damn.

She claps her hands.“Splendid.Let’sgo. We need to be back before nightfall.”

She snags my wrist, but I don’t budge.

“Come on, the horses are ready. Why are you dawdling?”

I do notdawdle.

“Where do you think you’re taking me?” I growl.

Giselle simply beams. Perhaps her will to live is back in place.“Your barracks. Maeve has business in the castle, and she asked us to escort you.” She spreads her arms.“See, the fun has just begun.”

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