Page 110 of A Dagger in the Ivy

I wait for the king to react to the news, but his face remains stoic. Dante and I exchange a look, unsure of why the king doesn’t seem to care.

“I expected as much.” King Silas stands, straightening his robes. “Torbin told me you would invent incredulous accusations to throw the focus off of your indiscretions.”

I blanch. “My…? What? No. It’s him. He’s a traitor. Your own son.”

The king lets out a humorless chuckle. “My son, indeed. But not Prince Torbin, rather my bastard.”

Dante’s eyes bulge, his forehead creasing. “Father?”

The king raises a dismissive hand. “I don’t entirely blame you, Dante. I understand firsthand how certain women can seduce men, manipulate them.”

“‘Seduce’?” I scoff. “I’ve done no such thing.”

“So you deny that you two shared a bed?” The king raises a brow, waiting for me to answer.

My eyes widen, and my jaw has gone slack. I turn my head, my focus landing on Osrem, Torbin’s advisor. The man stands as straight as an arrow, the subtle look of victory on his face.

Fucking. Cunt.

I don’t even have my wits about me enough to figure out how he escaped the wolves.

I pivot my head back toward the king. “Nothing happened. It was innocent.”

The king guffaws. “Nothing innocent ever happens beneath the sheets, especially when you’re half-naked, which I understand you both were.”

I’m so stunned, I can’t speak.

“Father, she speaks the truth.” Dante steps forward, his glare darting to Torbin for a second. “Nothing happened.”

“Oh, dear Brother.” Torbin clicks his tongue. “She’s still got you under her spell.”

Dante grinds his teeth. “Father, Princess Celeste’s accusations about Torbin are true. He’s commanding an army of carnoraxis for the tsar. He… He took us hostage and stabbed me.”

Torbin scoffs. “Stabbedyou? You stand before us, clearly free of any alleged abduction, looking perfectly healthy.”

“I can prove it.” Dante unbuttons his shirt and exposes his chest.

The king and Torbin watch as Dante peels the bandage from his abdomen. The bandage crumples to the floor, and my face falls.

Fuck.

There’s nothing but a scar marking the skin near his heart. My healing magic worked faster than I anticipated.

Torbin steps closer. “That appears to be an old wound, Brother.”

The king purses his lips in disapproval.

“I healed him,” I protest, unable to keep the desperation out of my voice. “Torbin stabbed him with my dagger, but my magic healed him.”

“Your magic.” Torbin looks from me to the king. “You see, Father? That’s the key element here. She’s using her magic to make Dante believe her lies. Her fae powers are clearly a dangerous weapon.”

My mind is spinning so fast, I fear I may collapse. I feel like I’m stuck in a nightmare, but this time, it’s one I can’t wake up from.

“This has nothing to do with Celeste!” Dante shouts. “Torbin is consorting with the enemy. He is betraying the kingdoms of Hedera and Delasurvia. He plans to usurp you, just as the Shadow Tsar has done to Dulcamar’s previous ruler.”

“Enough,” the king finally declares, his voice strained with emotion. “I will not entertain baseless accusations any longer. Your loyalty has been pledged to our kingdom. You gave your word to take part in this union. Anything less makesyoua traitor, and the fate of Delasurvia will end badly.”

My heart sinks at his words, and my fists clench at my sides. He has the power to completely cut off ties between Mersos and my land. I need to weigh my words and my actions carefully. One false move, and the hope of feeding my people will die.

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