Page 45 of Shadows of the Crown

My face remains impassive as I take in the space, though my heart thuds heavily against the walls of my chest. Painting after painting line the walls, the colors less vibrant the older they are. Dates under each appear as far as two hundred years ago, though I’m certain there are many more that I do not see…the room is a hallway in its own right. Crowns displaying various designs of ruby and gold sit upon pedestals, under what I assume is the respective painting of their owner.

Further down, worn armor stands proudly against a large tapestry of the royal crest. The golden background, with a standing griffin stitched in black fabric, outlined in red, serves as a reminder.

It is the same crest I gave to Caspian after his father's men attacked me. The entire reason I am here. To kill this bastard’s son and watch his kingship burn.

I face the monster himself, who regards me with a serpentine smile while his hands rest inside large pockets. His broad torso blocks the path to the now-closed door, though I refuse to feel caged in. He is but one weak man standing in front of the killer I’ve created just for him.

Curious that he feels safe enough to lock himself in a room with me…

“Ah, well, I will not waste time with formalities.” He sucks on his teeth as I remain still. “I have a request for you, wraith.”

He chuckles when I manage to look even more bored, tilting his head. The way his eyes drink in the lines of my body is nauseating.

“I can see why my son is so smitten with you.” That…is not what I expected him to say. The hairs along my neck rise at the bite of his words. “Truthfully, you are stunning. However, as much as Caspian wishes to fuck you,” he spits, shaking his head as if the very idea disgusts him to his core. “I will not allow it.”

I smile and take one step, the movement predatory. “Is that so?”

He straightens his chin, an attempt to feel as tall as he looks. “He will tire of you the moment he gets what he wants—that is just how young men are. But he will not be getting what he wants. You will deny his every advance.” He waves a hand at nothing. “Break a limb, if you must; I do not give a fuck. But you will not touch him.” Fuck’s sake…did he and Gavriel sit down and discuss ways to keep me from the prince?

“Is that why you’re trying to have me killed? Because you do not wish me near him?” Humor dances in those calculating eyes as he strolls through the room.

“No, though that is a benefit I’d considered.”

I hum, sighing deeply as I tap my finger on a blade. The king’s eyes focus on the movement as he walks; he’s smart to not look away from me. “While I’ve quite enjoyed yourassassinationattempts, you’ll need the entirety of your pathetically trainedmilitary to have a mere chance of killing me.” He chuckles, nodding as his fingers caress the darkening gold of a used crown.

“So I’ve noticed. Which is the reason I’ve brought you here. Whether you are dead or not truly is unimportant to my objectives. However you choose to live your final days means nothing to me, as long as we are clear that you keep your blood-stained hands from my son.” He turns to cross the room where the large tapestry rests.

I should not entertain more conversation, but the words fall from my mouth, anyway. “And why does it matterso muchto you if I fuck him? As you say, he will tire of me the moment he leaves my bed.”

He shakes a finger, malicious eyes finding mine for a moment. “That is precisely why it matters.” He studies the tapestry longingly as an agonizingly silent minute passes. “If I may speak so candidly…I know his past affairs were but a night of fun, though he is different with you. I have a feeling he will become more attached upon having you.

“If you were any lady of status, I would not bother—but we both know that is not what you are.”What, notwho.

My jaw clenches, and I blink at the ache behind my eyes. “Of course…the woman you hire to kill your people for you is not good enough for your son. Completely logical thinking, I must admit.”

He chuckles, facing me. The buttons along his silky gold top stretch as he breathes deeply. “Do you know why I brought you here, Ariella?”

“I’m sure you’ll enlighten me.” He smiles warmly at the paintings he gestures to.

“This is the Blackwood lineage, as you’ve certainly surmised. You see, these are the elite of the Eldorian Kingdom—the kings and queens that have ruled these lands for thousands of years. Then, of course, there are the noble houses that walk these halls with an unwarranted sense of superiority. Followed by the greater essence citizens who live closest to the castle grounds.” He halts a foot away, a queasy feeling settling in my stomach.

“Then, as you know, there are the lesser essence citizens that reside in the outermost parts of Valoria. But you see, Ms. Mistaire, the lowest tier of citizenship lies within the guilds.” It is an immense struggle to remain still when his smirk turns sinister. “Those who have no families. No homes. Who are only worth their meager skills with a blade.

“That is you, Ariella. You are nothing. You are not suitable for even my son’s bed, because he belongs here…and you are not even worth a thought.”

My gaze hardens, a clear, nefarious threat settling in my eyes. “Not worth a thought, yet I’m the one you request when you hire the guild. You arranged for me to face a griffin and sent several soldiers to kill me when that plan failed. You even hadme impregnated with Hallow…that is quite the difficult poison to obtain…

“Then you personally escort me here, to the sacred memories of your family lineage—theroyalfamily lineage—just to tell me not to fuck your son. Truthfully, Your Majesty, you seem to be confusing my worth for someone whoisn’tthe subject of your every thought.” He sneers, his fists clenching until the knuckles lose their color. I spin and walk to the door, the king expressing last words just as I turn into the hallway.

“Do heed my warning, Ariella.”

Chapter Twenty

Ariella

It seems the closer I am to my goal, the less tolerance I have for such mundane activities. I do not wish to sit upon the browning grass as I eat and listen to pointless conversation.

And yet, here I am.

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