Page 150 of Warlord's Plaything

Fast.

Deadly.

My dagger presses against his throat before he has a chance to react.

"Give me one fucking reason not to open you up right now."

He doesn’t flinch.

Doesn’t wince.

Doesn’t show an ounce of fear.

His lips curl in something too calm.

"I’m the only one who can save you from the mess you’re in."

I press the blade harder.

"You’re the one who put me in this fucking mess."

A low chuckle.

"Am I?"Valis’s voice is smooth, always too smooth, like a dagger wrapped in silk."Or have you just been too blind to see what’s really happening?"

"You sided with Kaelith."

"Did I?"

The question twists something in my gut.

No hesitation.

No denial.

But no fucking confession either.

"You betrayed my father."

Finally, he reacts.

His jaw tightens, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

"Your father was betrayed long before the poison ever touched his lips."

Something in my chest tightens.

I don’t loosen my grip.

I don’t let the blade waver.

But I hesitate.

And Valis sees it.

His smirk fades.

His voice lowers.

---