Page 44 of The Rook

“What are you going to do once Destin is removed from the throne?” she asked softly. She gazed up at him. “That is the ultimate goal, isn’t it?”

“Removing him is the goal.”

He didn’t answer her question. “Who do you plan to place on the throne?” She cocked her head. “You?”

Pyre barked out a humorless laugh. “Me, rule? Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t want to get anywhere close to that throne.”

“That’s a relief to hear. No one would support you on the throne.”

“Because I’m a Talagan?” he challenged.

“No, because you’ve already caused too much unrest.” She ran her finger along the woodgrain of the bedpost. “If you don’t have plans to rule, what will happen to the kingdom once you’ve wreaked havoc upon our realm and upended the royal family, what then?”

Silence.

She lifted her chin and arched a brow, daring him to answer her. He didn’t. His chin jutted out and his jaw clenched, but his lips stayed firmly sealed.

Unbelievable.

Tempest chuckled and backed away from him. She turned to grab her sack.

“What are you doing?”

“What I should have done weeks ago.” There wasn’t much to pack, but it was time to go back to the capital. She tossed a shirt into her bag and shot a glare at Pyre. “I should have known not to get mixed up with you. You only deal in disarray and disorder. You’ll break open the kingdom and leave it to die.”

“And you think you could do better?”

“I don’t know,” she said, snatching her bow from beneath the bed. “But I know I’m not so morally corrupt that I can’t see the truth in front of me.” Tempest hauled her bag over her shoulder and moved to the wardrobe, where she pulled out her black cloak from the brightly colored silk dresses. She tucked it under her arm and headed toward the exit. She wrenched open the door. Pausing in the doorway, she stared at the kitsune with disappointment. “I expected more from you. Although, I don’t know why.”

Tempest turned on her heel and stalked down the hallway.

“You should check in with that traitorous king of yours. He no doubt misses you,” Pyre’s voice called.

“Well ahead of you!” Tempest tossed over her shoulder. “Don’t contact me. I’ll come to you if need be.”

She was done with the Dark Court and Pyre’s many lying faces. Dotae might have been a nest of snakes, but it was a nest Tempest was familiar with. She had to escape the mountains before she became just as twisted and broken as Pyre himself was.

NINETEEN

Tempest

Snow.

Tempest stuck her tongue out to catch a few flurries as she slogged her way to the barracks, snow crunching beneath her boots. Her cloak trailed behind her, creating a path. Although heavy-hearted, she smiled as snowflakes bussed her lashes and left cool kisses on her cheeks. The first skiff of snow was always magical, but the first real snowstorm was her favorite. It covered all the ugly filth of the city and transformed the capital into something from a fairy story, every home looking like it belonged in a sleepy village.

Relief surged through her as she spotted the barracks. She skirted the training ring, her pace picking up as she reached the door. Bawdy laughter rumbled from inside, bringing a smile to her lips. Maxim. No one had a laugh like his. Reaching for the door, she paused and inhaled deeply. For the last several days, she’d gone over and over her story so she wouldn’t make anymistakes. Guilt pricked her. It was wrong to lie to the men who raised her.

You’re not any better than the Jester.

Her breath fogged in a mini cloud in front of her face before dissipating. She’d had a lot of time to think on her journey home. Not all of her thoughts were of good things.

Just open the door, Tempest.

“My lady?”

Tempest froze and slowly turned toward the feminine voice. A palace servant garbed in a drab gray cloak and a sensible working dress shuffled closer. Tempest almost screamed in frustration. The king was calling for her already? She hadn’t even had a moment to unpack. Plus, how in the blazes did he know she was in town? Someone must’ve been watching her. She’d snuck in through the slums. No one should have known about her arrival.

Sloppy, that’s what it was.

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