Page 92 of Warlord's Plaything

To reverse what has already been set in motion?

He coughs, blood staining his lips.

His fingers curl weakly around mine.

"Too slow, boy."His voice is ragged, but there’s a smirk in it. A whisper of the man he was.

My chest tightens, seizing with something I can’t fucking name.

"What happened?"I grit out, my hands tightening around his arm, trying to will strength back into him."Who did this?"

His lips part, a breath of sound?—

Then, the doors slam open behind me.

Footsteps. Voices. A fucking army of them.

I don’t have to turn to know.

I already know.

The Council.

The vultures, the snakes, the fucking traitors.

They planned this.

They waited until the perfect fucking moment.

And I had walked straight into it.

"What is the meaning of this?"Kaelith’s voice is mocking concern, false fucking grief.

"My Lord!"Valis follows, stepping closer, eyes flashing with something triumphant.

"Guards! Seize him!"

Cold steel clamps around my wrists before I can even think.

Too many hands, too much force—but it doesn’t matter.

My father is dying in my fucking arms.

And they are already writing my death.

"He’s been poisoned!"One of the advisors exclaims, voice so perfectly timed, so carefully practiced.

Kaelith tilts his chin, watching me.

"How unfortunate."

Bastard.

Lying, traitorous bastard.

I snarl, trying to surge up, but hands clamp down on my shoulders, forcing me to kneel.

"Release me!"I bellow, my voice a promise of blood.

---